Fremont County, the state’s second largest county by size and fifth by population, continues to see growth in its tourism sector with year-over-year increases in visitor spending, employment and tax revenue.
In spring and summer 2025, the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute and the Wind River Visitors Council launched a survey to better understand tourism’s impacts on both Fremont County and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
The survey received 511 responses, representing a statistically significant sample. Findings show strong overall support for tourism, with 85.6% of respondents agreeing that tourism is good for their local area and 72.7% expressing a desire to see tourism thrive.
The insights from this survey will help guide future efforts to ensure tourism growth benefits both visitors and residents while addressing community concerns. The full survey is available at this link: https://windriver.org/contact-us/about/.
Wind River Country Heritage Quest: A Digital Discovery
To mark the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026, Fremont County will launch an app-based historical scavenger hunt highlighting 15 historic sites across Wind River Country. Utilizing the TravelStorysGPS app, this interactive experience will share short audio stories at each location, connecting visitors and locals to themes of liberty, equality, memory and belonging.
Participants can check in at sites, snap selfies and share their journey on social media. The adventure ends at one of Fremont County’s museums—Dubois Museum, Pioneer Museum in Lander or Riverton Museum—where visitors can redeem their progress for exclusive commemorative prizes. The project celebrates Fremont County’s rich history, from iconic landmarks like South Pass to lesser-known treasures, offering an engaging way to experience 250 years of American heritage.
Funding for this project is provided by an America 250 Grant, a LOR Foundation grant and the Wind River Visitors Council.
Continental Divide Trail (CDT) Awareness Week
The Wind River Visitors Council celebrated the iconic Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and its connection to Wind River Country during CDT Awareness Week, held August 24 to 30. Events throughout the week included community outreach efforts, a podcast episode highlighting the CDT (https://windriver.org/podcast/exploring-the-continental-divide-trail-at-south-pass-city/) and a community hike on the trail. Thru-hikers received a special $10 off coupon for the Dance Hall/Gift Shop at South Pass City State Historic Site.
The week was hosted by the Wind River Visitors Council in partnership with South Pass City State Historic Site, the City of Lander, the Central Wyoming Climbers’ Alliance and local supporters of the trail.
Wayfinding Signage
This Destination Development Program project puts attractive signage throughout Dubois, Hudson, Lander, Riverton and Shoshoni. The signage will have a unified look, while also representing each community’s unique personality. The Dubois, Lander and Riverton portions of the project will be finished this year, and the recently added Hudson and Shoshoni portions will be finished in 2026.
Conferences
Last month, Helen Wilson attended the U.S. Travel Association’s Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO), a premier national forum for destination marketing professionals at the state, regional and local levels. The conference provided attendees with valuable tools, tips and insights to help market and grow their destinations.
The Wind River Visitors Council will once again attend Board Leadership for Destinations: A Symposium. This is an intensive, MBA-style event focused on best practices in governance and leadership for Destination Marketing Organizations. It is the only event of its kind dedicated to preparing destination organization board members to effectively lead their organizations into the future.
Events
Do you have events that you’d like posted to the Wind River Visitors Council’s website? Please send any events or packages to community@windriver.org. We can also get you Wind River Visitors Council publications (the Vacation Guide; 7 Self-Guided Driving Tours; the Self-Guided Map of the Wind River Indian Reservation; and the Wind River Indian Reservation and Discover Dubois self-guided mobile audio tour rack cards), as well as provide you with the Wind River Visitors Council’s calendar of events for distribution in your newsletter, publication, news source, etc.
Board Meeting
The next Wind River Visitors Council Board Meeting is Thursday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lander Library, 200 Amoretti St., Lander. Wind River Visitors Council meetings are open to the public.
About the Wind River Visitors Council
The Wind River Visitors Council, a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), is charged with the responsibility of investing lodging tax revenues to facilitate wider promotion and marketing of Fremont County and the Wind River Indian Reservation (branded as Wind River Country) as a tourist and visitor destination.
Tourism Asset Development (TAD) Program
The TAD program is a voluntary program that is unique to Wind River Country. The Wind River Visitors Council gives 25% of the local lodging tax back to the communities in the percentage that they contribute to the lodging tax. Depending on occupancy rates, these numbers are constantly changing. These funds are distributed by the Lander Chamber of Commerce; the City of Riverton; and the Towns of Dubois, Hudson and Shoshoni to market the communities. Marketing efforts may include events, grants, educational programs and more.
The Wind River Visitors Council’s mission is to stimulate tourism by increasing awareness of, and encouraging visitation to, the unique destinations, activities and events in Wind River Country.