Wind River Canyon Wyoming Tourism

The entrance to the Wind River Canyon is marked by three tunnels which were constructed in 1914 for the tracks of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (now the Burlington Northern).

Prior to this, the canyon was virtually impossible to travel into. After the railroad was laid, it was still another ten years before a road for automobile traffic was completed.

The Wind River Canyon is considered one of the most dramatically beautiful spots in Wyoming, with the wild waters of the Wind River on one side of the roadway into the canyon and 2,500 ft. rock cliffs hugging the other side.

You’ll find many scenic overlooks along the way. If you’re planning to do some fishing in the canyon, remember you are in the Wind River Indian Reservation and you must obtain a reservation permit.

As Wind River exits the north end of the Canyon, it experiences a name change, becoming the Big Horn River. This transformation is known as Wedding of the Waters. The name confusion began when Lewis and Clark named the river the Big Horn River, and at another location the Crow Indians named it Wind River.

To make it simple and not upset anyone, early map makers just changed the river’s name below the most prominent landmark along the river’s path.

Wind River Canyon