Wind River Range
- Wyoming
photo: CleverHiker.com
The Wind River Range is a breathtaking mountain range surrounded by national forests in western Wyoming. Known for its stunning alpine scenery, high peaks, and pristine lakes, it's a popular destination for hiking, climbing, and backpacking. For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples of the Great Basin, such as the Shoshones and Absarokas (Crow) lived in and around the range, with villages as high as 10,000 ft. The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho people still maintain a presence in the region and are federally recognized as the Arapahoe Tribe of the Wind River Reservation. One of the most iconic features of the Wind River Range is the Cirque of the Towers, a cluster of towering granite spires and jagged peaks that rise dramatically from the valley floor. The Cirque is a favorite spot for climbers and photographers, and its sheer walls and stunning vistas make it a must-see destination.