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After finishing up The Loop Road near Lander, Wyoming, we drove north up the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway on our way up to Cody. We were running a little late, but we were still able to enjoy this beautiful stretch of road along the way.
The Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway is a short stretch of US 20 between the towns of Shoshoni and Thermopolis. It takes about 40 minutes to complete the 34 mile drive without stopping.
Scenic Drive
The drive starts in Shoshoni at milepost 100 and drives through Boysen State Park, past the Boysen Reservoir.
The best part of the drive is when the road goes through Wind River Canyon. The road travels between 2,500 foot high rock walls, some of the oldest rock formations in the world. For those with more time, it’s possible to stop and go rafting or fishing in the canyon.
Before the end of the canyon, the Wind River becomes the Bighorn River at a place called the Wedding of the Waters. Apparently it’s possible to see some bighorn sheep along the road in this part of the canyon.
The drive ends at milepost 134 in the town of Thermopolis, which has the world’s largest mineral hot springs at Hot Springs State Park.
