Popo Agie River Canyon Road
Ancient route to Wind River wilderness
The Popo Agie River Canyon Road cuts deep into the southeastern edge of the Wind River Range, following ancient Native American hunting routes that are still marked by petroglyphs carved into red sandstone cliffs. This scenic dirt road hugs the Popo Agie River (pronounced po-PO-zha) as it winds through increasingly narrow canyon walls, past natural hot springs that bubble up from limestone formations, and around massive granite boulders that make world-class bouldering problems. The road ends at a trailhead that accesses the Cirque of the Towers, but the drive itself is the real attraction — especially the section known as Sinks Canyon where the river literally disappears underground for half a mile.
Easy to moderate difficulty suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though stock SUVs should take it slow on the rockier sections near the canyon mouth. Road is typically open May through October, with the best conditions in summer and early fall. No permits required for driving, but camping in designated areas only. Lander has full services 15 miles away. What makes this special isn’t the challenge — it’s the accessibility to genuinely wild country and the chance to see 1,000-year-old rock art while following a route that Native peoples have traveled for millennia.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | 3-4 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Lander, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Shoshone National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Popo Agie River Canyon Road without any mods?
Yes. Any stock high-clearance vehicle runs this fine — Tacoma, 4Runner, stock Wrangler, even a lifted Subaru on good tires. No lockers, skids, or lift required. It's a dirt forest road, not a rock crawl.
When does the road typically open after winter and is it drivable in late October?
May through October is the reliable window. Spring opening depends on snowmelt and mud conditions — call Shoshone National Forest before heading out in early May. Late October can bring early snow at elevation, so check the forecast if you're pushing the tail end of the season.
Do I need a permit or pass to drive this road?
No permit required to drive the road. If you're camping inside Shoshone National Forest boundaries, a free self-issue camping permit may be required at some sites — check with the Lander Ranger District before you go.
What's the hardest part of this trail and what should I actually expect?
There's nothing technically brutal here — it's rated easy for a reason. The trickiest moment will be the water crossings after heavy rain or early-season runoff; they're not deep but can be slippery on the rock bottom. Don't let the 'easy' rating make you sloppy at the crossings.
Is there anywhere to get gas or water along the 18 miles, or do I need to top off in Lander first?
Top off in Lander before you leave — there are no services on the route. Cell service is spotty throughout the canyon, so don't count on navigation or emergency calls working reliably. Carry your own water; the river crossings are not a clean drinking source without filtering.
Trail track
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