Dubois, WY

Address:Dubois, Wyoming

Dubois, Wyoming, located amidst the grandeur of Yellowstone National Park, is a spectacular, little-known destination. It is surrounded by forests and mountains as well as by the desolate beauty and red-banded rock of the Wyoming Badlands. A thoroughly "western" town, Dubois prides itself on its friendly hospitality, history, cultural activities, and slow pace of life.

Dubois is perfectly located for a outdoor adventure. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are nearby, as are State National Park, Boysen State Park, Devil's Tower, Hot Springs State Park, Sinks Cayon State Park. National and State Park travel guides are updated by season to help visitors navigate around the parks. One of our favorite walking trips is Yellowstone's Togwotee Trail, which is abundant with wildlife, geographic wonders and rich history.

For those looking to get off the hiking trail, horses are available for hourly or full-day rides through the countryside, and other activities such as camping, golf, mountain biking, hunting, and snowmobiling are easily accessible. Fishing is popular by permit year round, and ice fishing is available in winter for the adventurous fisherman at several mountain lakes, where frequent catches include trout, turbot, ling, and whitefish. Sites are often accessible only with a snow machine.

Though Dubois's laid back atmosphere doesn't invite many organized tours, the town itself is a pleasant attraction, and friendly locals will help you guide yourself around using one of the suggested self-guided provided at the visitor's center. Consider visiting the Dubois Museum to learn about the Crow Indians who were the original inhabitants of the land, the National Bighorn Sheep Center, which hosts the largest Bighorn herd in North America, the Wind River Valley Artist Guild, and the Tie Hack Memorial, which pays tribute to the Scandinavian immigrants who once ran tie-cutting operations to supply the CB & Q Railroad. Call in advance for individual hours and tour reservations.

Seasonal events in Dubois keep the town lively. In the summer, locals enjoy 4th of July celebrations, the Community Hog Roast and Poker Run, the Wind River Valley National Exhibit of Art, square dancing and rodeo shows. In the fall, visitors can see the Wind River Valley Artists Guild Shutter Bugs Show and Oktoberfest.

Restaurants in Dubois feature mainly "lodge style" dining, with a few steakhouses, cafes, and a handful of taverns or bars to choose from. Though the town isn't known for its shopping, stores carry basic necessities, and there is a local outfitter for recreational equipment.

Those who crave a remote getaway will love Dubois. The closest commercial airport is 80 miles away (fly to either Jackson Hole Airport [JAC] or Riverton Airport [RIW]), and there isn't an interstate for 150 miles. The closest major cities are Idaho Halls (178 miles), Salt Lake City (335 miles), and Denver (446 miles). The town's closest neighbors are mountains and lakes, making for a vacation of perfect western solitude.