Sitting
beside the upper Wind River, the town of Dubois in the
heart of the Wind River Mountains is an unparalleled
outdoors recreation center. It's a rustic town with a
main street spread along Highway 26/287 containing
false-fronted buildings, many made of logs.
It
used to be a town which serviced cattle operations and
was the railroad tie capital of Wyoming -- during the
building of the transcontinental rail lines. Now, Dubois
is a hub for guest ranching, and fishing and hunting
expeditions to some of the best big game territory in
America.
The
town is mid-way between Riverton and Jackson Hole, via
Grand Teton National Park, and makes a pleasant and
somewhat rustic stop-over on your way to Grand Teton and
Yellowstone.
What
to See & Do
A
remarkable sidetrip near Dubois is the Union Pass
Road tour. The pass was a major mountain crossing
during the trek west by thousands of settlers who used
the Oregon Trail to get to Utah, California and the
Oregon Territory. This is the land which John Coulter
discovered in 1807. This mountain man, explorer and
trapper is said to be the first white man to explore what
is now Wyoming. He passed through the Dubois area on a
trip to Jackson Hole. At the summit of Union Pass, south
of Hwy 26/287, is a monument marking the role of this
road and Union Pass in the settling of the West. The
scenery is spectacular. To get to the pass, follow
Highway 26/287 west from Dubois. Union Pass Road is on
your left and is signed.
You
might expect the Dubois area to have plenty of guest
ranches, and you're right. There are a dozen within a
short drive of town including Absaroka Ranch, 16
miles northwest of Dubois, located at the foot of Ram's
Horn Peak. This secluded ranch offers riding, fishing and
hiking and arranges white water trips. The ranch is known
for its good food. There are rustic cabins and a sauna.
The CM Ranch is a relaxed place, with log cabins
accommodating up to 50 guests. It's six miles from Dubois
on Fish Hatchery Road. The Washakie Wilderness is
nearby. The ranch has a heated pool, sauna and offers
cookouts and fishing in a private stream. For those who
like lodge rooms, you can't do better than staying at the
Diamond Bar E Ranch which is 15 miles east of
Dubois and a half mile south of the highway. Meals are
provided in the lodge dining room or on dinner rides.
Besides riding, the lodge offers fishing and is open for
snowmobiling during winter months.
There
are several Forest Service campgrounds in the
Dubois Area including Falls, 23 miles west of town on
Hwy. 287; Horse Creek, 12 miles west of town on a forest
road; and Pinnacles, 23 miles west of Dubois via Hwy. 287
and then north on a forest road. All have tent sites and
spaces for trailers under 32 feet.
Where
to Eat
The
Cowboy Cafe, at 115 E. Ramshorn in Dubois, has
good soups, pies and other baking. Anita's
Cantina, at 106 E. Ramshorn, is a locally-operated
Mexican restaurant, offering standard south-of-the-border
cuisine. Down the street, at 119 E. Ramshorn, the
Rustic Steakhouse is just that.
The
Red Rock Lodge restaurant is just west of town,
with views of Red Rock Canyon. Double Bar J Ranch,
230 miles west of Dubois, serves lunch and dinner in The
Lodge. This is a scenic location with great views of
Pinnacle Buttes and the Shoshone National Forest.
