Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass

Q: How many days do you need for Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass?

We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 43 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Q: Where does Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass start and end?

It starts in Jackson and ends in South Pass City State Historic Site.

Q: Where can you camp along Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass?

OpenStreetMap lists 53 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Headwaters Campground, Signal Mountain Campground and Colter Bay Campground.

Q: When is the best time for Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass?

The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

From Jackson over the Continental Divide to the red badlands of Dubois, the ranch town of Lander and the historic South Pass of the Oregon Trail.

Distance: 336 km (209 mi)
Driving: 3 h 43 min
Suggested days: 4
Stops: 7
States: WY
Updated: May 29, 2026

At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 336 km (209 mi) with 7 stops, from Jackson to South Pass City State Historic Site. About 3 h 43 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Wyoming · More road trips from Jackson

Route description

Leave Jackson north through Grand Teton National Park and stop at Oxbow Bend, where Mount Moran reflects in the Snake River. At Moran Junction, US-26/287 turns east and climbs to Togwotee Pass on the Continental Divide.

The descent leads into a valley of red and purple badlands to Dubois, a small western town with a museum about bighorn sheep. US-287 then follows the Wind River southeast across the Wind River Reservation, home of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho.

Lander is a relaxed town at the foot of the Wind River Range and a base for climbing and hiking. Just outside, in Sinks Canyon, the river disappears into a cave and resurfaces downstream in a clear pool full of large trout.

WY-28 climbs south to South Pass, the gentle saddle across the Rockies used by the Oregon, California and Mormon trails. South Pass City, a restored 1860s gold camp, is open in summer. The high passes can see snow from October to May.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

Jackson
WY
Start
2

Oxbow Bend
ViewsMoran, WY
Mount Moran reflected in a still bend of the Snake River. Moose and otters show up at dawn.
55 km
3

Togwotee Pass
ViewsMoran, WY
A 9,658-foot pass on the Continental Divide with a last look back at the Tetons. Expect snow at the top from October to May.
49 km
4

Dubois
WY
51 km
5

Lander
WY
128 km
6

Sinks Canyon State Park
NatureLander, WY
The Popo Agie River vanishes into a limestone cave and reappears a quarter mile downstream in a pool full of large trout. Do not feed the fish.
16 km
7

South Pass City State Historic Site
HistorySouth Pass City, WY
A restored 1860s gold rush town near the easy crossing of the Rockies used by the Oregon Trail. Open in summer.
36 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

4 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: Jackson → Togwotee Pass · 65 mi · 1 h 10 minOn the way: Oxbow Bend.Overnight nearby, for example: Brooks Lake Creek Falls Campground (6 mi); Turpin Meadow Campground (12 mi).
Day 2: Togwotee Pass → Dubois · 32 mi · 0 h 34 minOvernight nearby, for example: St Thomas Episcopal Church (< 1 km); Dubois KOA (< 1 km).
Day 3: Dubois → Lander · 80 mi · 1 h 25 minOvernight nearby, for example: Sawmill Campground (6 mi); Popo Agie Campground (8 mi).
Day 4: Lander → South Pass City State Historic Site · 32 mi · 0 h 35 minOn the way: Sinks Canyon State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Lake Louis Campground (9 mi); Little Popo Agie Campground (10 mi).

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. Cold, short days in November–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass?

4-day road trip of about 336 km (209 mi) with 7 stops, from Jackson to South Pass City State Historic Site. About 3 h 43 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass?

We suggest 4 days: about 3 h 43 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass start and end?

It starts in Jackson and ends in South Pass City State Historic Site.

Which states does Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass pass through?

Wyoming.

Where can you camp along Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass?

OpenStreetMap lists 53 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Headwaters Campground, Signal Mountain Campground and Colter Bay Campground.

When is the best time for Wind River country: Togwotee Pass to South Pass?

The most pleasant months are usually June and August–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)