Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ern part, including the towns of Ethete and Arapaho, are occupied by the Arapaho. Al-
though the reservation struggles with problems of poverty and unemployment, it is also
home to an incredibly rich history, important traditions, and pristine wilderness.
A drive through the reservation affords visitors magnificent views of Wyoming's unde-
veloped natural beauty and the majestic Wind River Mountains. The reservation is easily
accessible by car, and its roads are open to visitors. If you'd like to hike, fish, camp, or
boat, however, access is restricted to certain parts of the reservation, and a recreation fee
or fishing permit is required. Hunting by nonnatives is not allowed. The
Tribal Fish and
Game Office
(307/332-7207), located in Fort Washakie, can provide more information
about fees and permits, as can the chambers of commerce in Lander, Riverton, and Dubois.
Fort Washakie is also the location of the
Shoshone Tribal Cultural Center
(90 Ethete Rd.,
307/332-9106, 9am-4pm Mon.-Fri.) and the gravesites of the two most prominent Shos-
hone Indians, Chief Washakie (it was his hometown) and Lewis and Clark's fearless guide,
Sacagawea.
The biggest draw to the reservation are the powwows held throughout the summer sea-
son. These large cultural celebrations usually take place over a three-day weekend and in-
clude dancing, singing, parades, and traditional games. Competitors come from across the
country, and both tribes host their own powwows. The largest Shoshone powwow is the
Eastern Shoshone Indian Days Powwow and Rodeo,
an all-Indian rodeo usually held
the fourth weekend in June. The largest Arapaho powwow is the
Ethete Powwow
in late
July. For additional information about the powwows, contact the
Wind River Heritage
Center
(307/856-0706) or the
Wind River Visitor's Council
(800/645-6233,
www.wind-
MM
Sinks Canyon State Park
A place that is as beautiful as it is fascinating,
Sinks Canyon State Park
(3079 Sinks
Canyon Rd., 6 miles south of Lander, 307/332-6333 or 307/332-3077,
ht-
tp://wyoparks.state.wy.us
,
sunrise-10pm daily, visitors center 9am-6pm daily Memorial
Day-Labor Day) is filled with recreational opportunities and one of the state's geological
wonders. Here in the canyon is where the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River plunges into
a cave, only to emerge 0.5 mile away in an area known as the Rise. What makes it so in-
teresting is that geologists have determined that it takes more than two hours for the water
to make the journey. In addition, there is plenty of water emerging at the Rise that did not
enter at the Sinks. Adding yet another layer of mystery is that the water is a couple of de-
grees warmer when it emerges than when it disappeared.
