On the far side of a beautiful mountain pass beyond the Tetons, sheltered between the much less-traveled Wind River Range and the wild Absarokas, the community of Dubois is an authentically rustic Old West town. Small and unspoiled, but quirky, it’s surrounded by endless natural beauty with access to some of the most scenic sights along the Continental Divide.
With Yellowstone National Park and the Wind River Indian Reservation about an hour in each direction, and many attractions nearby, Dubois is the ideal place to gain a new sense of balance and vitality, or to bring your family to adventures in a world full of discoveries that will be theirs alone.
There’s no way to see everything the Dubois area has to offer in only five days. But the following itinerary will get you off the beaten path, to some of the best trails in the surrounding national parks, and around the Wind River Range.
Finally, if you prefer to sleep under the stars, consider camping at a campground in town along the river or out near Brooks Lake for a perfect night out in nature.
Once you get settled, it’s time to explore.
Day 1: Getting to Know Dubois
If you want to start your day off on the right foot, a quick stop at The Perch Coffee House on Ramshorn Street will liven your spirits with a strong cup of Joe and breakfast or a delicious pastry.
To start your day, head over to Whiskey Basin. You’ll find hikes into glacial valleys full of lakes, sweeping mountain views, and waterfalls—just the tip of the iceberg for adventures in the region. The trails at Whiskey Basin are relatively uncrowded and extremely beautiful. Both Whiskey Mountain and Lake Louise have stunning views.
Afterwards, especially if you have children who love animals, stop by the National Bighorn Sheep Center and learn all about the region’s signature creatures through exhibits, movies, and full-scale taxidermy mounts that replicate the habitat of bighorn sheep. If you’re visiting between November and March, you can join a five-hour tour that allows you to witness firsthand the world’s largest wintering herds of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Afterwards, don’t forget to take your picture with the giant jackalope at the Exxon Country Store—no trip to Dubois is complete without it.
As the day comes to a close, head to the Cowboy Cafe for a quick and tasty bite. Everything on the menu is good, but the Bubba is a steal. It’s a cheeseburger, fries, and slice of pie with ice cream for under $10. The staff is friendly and jovial, even on crowded summer days.
Once dinner is done, don’t miss out on a beautiful sunset. Nowhere in town will you find better viewing than up on the ridges surrounding the mountain bike trails around Overlook Drive. From this vantage point above the town, you can watch as the sun sets in the distance, illuminates the hills, and turns everything into different shades of purple, red, and orange.
Day 2: The Wind River Range and More
The Cirque of the Towers is one of the best spots for hiking and backpacking in the area. Yes, it’s a three-hour drive from Dubois, but the 20-mile loop hike will reward you with views of stunning, craggy mountains rising in all directions— it’s what many call a mountaineer’s Disneyland. There are also about 200 climbing routes. For less of a journey, climb the switchbacks up to Union Pass west of town, and set off on the logging roads around the region of the Continental Divide. A great hike is toward the remote, placid Lake of the Woods.
For families looking to get outside, head up past the town landfill to explore the red-rock badlands on either side of the dirt road leading across Table Mountain. It’s the perfect place to explore the slickrock and hoodoos of the region. Stay for as long as you like, the scrambling and climbing will keep the kids entertained for hours, and you may find a buffalo bone or even a petrified rock along one of the countless draws. When you are finished here, be sure to drive along the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway—no trip to this region of Wyoming is complete without it.
Day 3: Enjoy Crystal-Clear Rivers and Lakes
There are 2,000 rivers and streams and numerous lakes in the Wind River Valley, so why not spend your third day in Dubois exploring the local waters by boat? Start the day by grabbing some breakfast at the Village Cafe in Dubois, and figuring out where you want to paddle.
The Wind River flows right through town and makes for the perfect (and very convenient) spot for a relaxing float through the gorgeous scenery of the Wind River Range. Look for the “Wind River Access” signs along the river for good spots to put in. You can also head out to quieter lakes not far from town like the placid Trail Lake or Torrey Lake, but there are many other options as well. The outdoor shops right in Dubois can help gear you up with everything you need for your day.
When you are done on the water, stop in at the Dubois Fish Hatchery, where they produce 500,000 fish annually, on average, for stocking Wyoming’s streams, ponds, and lakes. Tours of the hatchery are available daily from 8am-5pm year round.
When the day is done, head out for some delicious pizza and a cold beer at Noonrock Pizza. The friendly staff and local drafts will have you re-energized in no time.
Day 4: Brooks Lake and Beyond
Take the time to have a leisurely breakfast at one of the breakfast spots in town. Since today’s adventure will bring you into the Shoshone National Forest, you’ll also want to plan snacks and lunch before you leave as most of your day will be spent away from amenities. You can pick up food at the Super Foods in Dubois or get a meal-to-go from the delicious Provisions.
Today’s trek brings you to Brooks Lake. A stunning 35-minute drive from Dubois, and the adventure begins the minute you leave the highway and head toward the lake. Rising up to the northeast, the Pinnacles act like a beacon for adventurers and wilderness lovers. The region is full of incredible hikes for all levels, and the lake is a great destination to explore if you just want some fresh air. For families that hike, check out the seven-mile, round-trip trek up to Bonneville Pass. In the summer months, the region explodes with fields of wildflowers.
There are numerous incredible hiking destinations for serious hikers, but the best is the trail to Lower and Upper Jade Lakes. While just five miles round trip, this trail allows you access into the pristine wilderness of the Absaroka high country. The route can be extended to bag two more stunning lakes—Upper Brooks and Rainbow Lakes— before topping out at Bear Cub Pass. The region gets more remote with every passing mile and grows in beauty just as fast.
Day 5: A Journey Into Yellowstone
Especially today, you’ll want to get an early start, so stop in at any of the aforementioned spots to get caffeinated and full for the spectacular, drive into Yellowstone National Park. If you haven’t come this way before, the smooth drive across historic Togwotee Pass offers unforgettable views of broad mountain meadows and pine forests. Keep your eyes open for wildlife before you even reach the park.
Since you will be arriving from the south, your first stop should be at Lake Village, where you can explore Yellowstone Lake and the old lodge that rests on its shores. From there, drive through the bison-filled Hayden Valley before exploring the majesty of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Yellowstone Falls. After being awestruck, head toward Norris and explore the numerous and iconic Geyser Basins along the road before ending your day at Old Faithful.
If you want something a bit more extreme in Yellowstone, wake up early and drive through the park to tackle two iconic trails. The first is hiking to the top of Mount Washburn from the Grand Canyon side of the road. The trail is steep, but beautiful, and has views of the park and maybe even a wildlife encounter. If time allows, continue heading up toward the northeast entrance and hike the Specimen Ridge Trail at the start of the Lamar Valley. This trail is epic, and offers sweeping views, endless animal sightings, and a level of remoteness not found in this normally crowded park.
After all day hiking, you have surely worked up an appetite, and as it’s your last day in Dubois, why not splurge on a special meal? The Wilderness Boundary Restaurant at Lava Mountain Lodge, just east of the Brooks Lake Road turnoff is the ideal spot to spoil yourself on your way home from Yellowstone. Their menu covers the gamut from nachos and pizza to elk burgers and prime rib. The food is guaranteed to hit the spot after a long day on the trails.
Originally written by RootsRated for Destination Dubois.
