Modern Explorers Discover Outdoor Adventures
Published Dec 16, 2008
Kayakers will be at home in the many fast waters found throughout Wyoming.
A wealth of wilderness, national forests and historic sites – but only 500,000 residents – means plenty of room for outdoor exploring in Wyoming.
The state’s environmental assets and low-density population make it possible to go fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, hunting or sightseeing in splendid, unspoiled and sometimes very remote places.
“Our clientele comes from all over the United States,” says Michelle Sauerwein, who along with her husband, Carl, owns Boulder Basin Outfitters near Cody, which features excursions into the 2.4-million-acre Shoshone National Forest.
For more than a century, Wyoming has been a popular spot for guest, or “dude,” ranches, which continue to draw thousands of visitors each year. But the roping and riding ranch experience is just one of many options for adults and families seeking a Wild West experience.
If archery, fly-fishing, hunting or horseback riding are on your must-do list, Sauerwein suggests one of Boulder Basin Outfitters’ most popular trips, an eight-day summer horseback excursion from Cody to Jackson.
After a day spent trout fishing under the guidance of an expert angler, guests enjoy a catered dinner and a few songs around the campfire before crawling into a cozy canvas teepee for a good night’s sleep.
For those eager to join a hunting expedition, fall and early winter comprise the high season. Because of state permitting regulations, hunting trips must be planned well in advance for most types of game, says Shane Clark of Bugle Basin Outfitters in Afton, which specializes in big game hunts for elk, mule deer, bear or cougar in the Greys River area.
“You really need to plan it a year in advance,” Clark says. “You have to apply for a license by January of the season-year you want to hunt. Most of my clients start planning and preparing in November of the year prior.”
Visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department online at http://gf.state.wy.us for more information.
Other popular hunts include buffalo, Merriam’s wild turkey, antelope and even coyote and prairie dog, which are called “varmints” by the folks at Trophy Ridge Outfitters.
“Probably the most popular thing now is archery antelope hunting,” says Trophy Ridge owner Ralph Dampman. “But we do offer buffalo hunts and the Merriam’s turkey hunts that are attractive to a lot of the folks from the Midwest and East.”
At Trophy Ridge in Carlile, hunters will find amenities such as modern cabins and home-cooked meals, which appeal not only to sportsmen, but also visitors interested in touring nearby sites, such as Devils Tower, Keyhole State Park and Mount Rushmore.
From its base in Jackson, Indian Creek Outfitters leads guests to a permanent campsite in the Targhee National Forest.
“We pack in to a camp that is all set up, and from there we take day rides out to fish or hunt or whatever the group wants to do,” says Angela Moyer, who runs the business along with her husband, Bruce.
Equestrians feel right at home at Allen’s Diamond Four Ranch, where trail riding, fly-fishing and wilderness pack trips are on the agenda.
The Lander spread is 9,200 feet above sea level, offering the chance to explore mountain lakes, glaciers and high-altitude forests. Wind River Indian Reservation, historic gold mining towns, Yellowstone Park and other attractions also are nearby.
“Everything we have is horse-oriented,” says Mary Allen, who owns the camp with her husband, Jim. “Horses are our mode of transportation to get to the Wind River Mountains for fishing and camping.”
Story by Renee Elder
Photo by Jeff Adkins
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