Overview
Lander is a city in central Wyoming, USA, a wonderful vacation destination. Lander has a population of approximately 7,500 people.
4 sights · 1 things to do · 6 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lander
Sinks Canyon State Park
An underground river through a limestone cavern. It goes into the Sinks and comes out at a pool called the Rise.
Fremont County Pioneer Museum
Complex with historic structures, log cabins and Native American dances during summer months.
South Pass City State Historic Site
Historic site on trail; snacks/drinks only, no fuel or gear. May hold packages—confirm via southpasscity.org/cdt. Most hikers resupply in Lander or Atlantic City instead.
South Pass City Historic Site
A former gold mining ghost town on the Oregon Trail, abandoned in the 1950s.
Lander Brewfest
Advertised as "The Best Little Brewfest in the West".
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Aug. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 6°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Dec. (climate data from nearby Jackson)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RIW Central Wyoming Regional Airport, Riverton — 21 mi away. Directions
- RKS Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport, Rock Springs — 87 mi away. Directions
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 219 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $99–$99 a night (typical $112), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$190, comfortable ~$260.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Sinks Canyon State Park, Fremont County Pioneer Museum, South Pass City State Historic Site
- Lunch El Sol de Mexico
- Afternoon South Pass City Historic Site, Lander Brewfest
- Dinner The Middle Fork
- Evening Lander Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Lander has many great locally–owned restaurants to serve a wide variety of tastes and budgets.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get around
Walk, bike, snowmobile, or ATV.
See
See South Pass City State Historic Site
Historic site on trail; snacks/drinks only, no fuel or gear. May hold packages—confirm via southpasscity.org/cdt. Most hikers resupply in Lander or Atlantic City instead.
Do
- Rock Climbers Festival
- 4th of July Parade, buffalo BBQ and Rodeo
- Drive the scenic Loop Road from Sinks Canyon to Louis Lake then out to South Pass, past Red Canyon and return to Lander. 80 miles, 20 miles of dirt road in the Shoshone National Forest. Plan on making several stops to explore the area.
Buy
Small shops.
Eat
Lander has many great locally–owned restaurants to serve a wide variety of tastes and budgets.
Eat The Breadboard
The Breadboard offers a variety of fresh and delicious sub sandwiches. It is a bit more expensive than Subway, but well worth it. The bread is homemade from scratch and excellent.
Eat Gannett Grill
The Gannett Grill is part of The Lander Bar and the Cowfish. Gannett serves great bar food: burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and salad. A burger with great fries costs around $8-$10. Also offers a wide selection of microbrews also. There is a great patio shared with the Cowfish for outdoor dining in the summer months.
Eat The Cowfish
A higher end restaurant that serves locally grown steaks and seafood. Dinner entrees cost around $28. Also offers a wide selection of microbrews also. There is a great patio shared with Gannett for outdoor dining in the summer months.
Drink
Sleep
Go next
- Sinks Canyon State Park
Nearby
South Pass City
See South Pass City Historic Site
A former gold mining ghost town on the Oregon Trail, abandoned in the 1950s.
Nearby
My experience
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