Feeling fed up with scrolling through your feed? Yearning to disconnect from the daily grind? Hoping to rest and recover by moving your body through nature? If you said yes to any of these questions, then Dubois, Wyoming, has your name written all over it. Not only is it a gateway town to national parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton, but it’s a destination in and of itself.
This story was created in partnership with Destination Dubois.
In Dubois, you’ll find yourself so immersed in activities like cross-country skiing and fly fishing that you might not even notice when you move in and out of phone service. Exchange roaming data for roaming horses, and you’ll be well on your way to a nervous system reset.
At the same time, there’s plenty of rewarding experiences to be had in town itself, forming connections with locals and other likeminded travelers. You might strike up a conversation with your Airbnb host that inspires future vacations, or you could gain a new perspective on societal trends while browsing one of the town’s insightful museums. There’s no wrong way to experience Dubois; rather, there’s no shortage of great ones. Here are six of our favorite activities, both in and out of town.
Photo credit: Ston McDaniel
On the grid: Watch bulls buck and horses gallop at the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo
Taking place weekly during the summer, the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo is nothing short of thrilling. It will engage all your senses, transferring all that tension from your head and placing it in your two hands that will be gripping the edge of your bleacher seat. After all, you won’t be able to hear the ding of your phone over the roar of the crowd and the thundering of hooves. It’s a family-friendly event and an excellent opportunity to connect with the residents of Dubois.
Photo credit: Jenny McDaniel
Off the grid: Cast a line on the Wind River
The Wind River Valley is renowned for its myriad fishing spots, where you can catch trout, burbot, bass, catfish, sturgeon, and more. Driving along the roads, it’s not unusual to see folks waiting patiently for fish to bite. Fly fishing is especially popular on the Wind River. This sport is a unique art requiring special equipment, so if you’ve never dabbled in it before, book a guided trip. Even if you’re an experienced fisher, seek out locals’ advice regarding the best sites. And don’t discount the winter season, either; ice fishing is spectacular around Dubois.
Photo credit: Robert Betts
On the grid: Muse over life at Dubois’ museums
When visiting Dubois, you don’t need to feel guilty for staying indoors, even when the sun is out. Sure, innumerable adventures await you outside, but the town’s museums are enriching in their own right. There’s the Dubois Museum, where you can learn about the area’s geology, Indigenous tribes, and history of modern settlement. Then there’s the National Museum of Military Vehicles, where you’ll gain a new appreciation for our country’s veterans. And finally, the National Bighorn Sheep Center educates visitors on how to protect local wildlife populations.
Using history as your teacher, you’ll unearth clues regarding how to navigate modern life at these three museums. How can folks of different backgrounds come together peacefully and productively? How can your wanderlust co-exist with the sensitive environments of the places you visit? Don’t underestimate the perspectives you can gain from browsing these well-curated museums.
Photo credit: Stephen Jay Lunsford
Off the grid: Take part in a retreat at a dude ranch
Dubois is a town known for offering quiet, affordable accommodations in comparison to that which can be found closer to the national parks. However, if you have the budget and enough vacation time, checking yourself into a dude ranch for a longer stay guarantees memories that you won’t soon be forgetting. Dude ranches offer guests the opportunity to venture deeper into the wilderness than they otherwise would have access to. Photography and yoga retreats abound, as do fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and overnight pack trips. Many of these lodges have been run by the same family for generations, so you can look forward to a plethora of exciting stories.
Photo credit: McCall Brown
On the grid: Sample the local cuisine
American cuisine is difficult to pin down; each region of the United States is rich with a distinct variety of flavors, ingredients, and textures, and many of the foods we love are largely a product of international influences. However, the cuisine in Dubois, Wyoming, is intimately tied to the land and a fabulous expression of the local culture. Instead of fast food or familiar staples, spring for meals that include wild game and fresh produce. Steak, buffalo, and elk feature prominently on many menus. During the warmer months, stop by the Dubois Farmers Market for fruits and veggies, as well as shelf-stable goods that you can take home, like jars of homemade jam and elderberry syrup.
Photo credit: Destination Dubois
Off the grid: Explore snow-covered trails
If you’re planning a trip to Dubois when snow covers the ground like a thick layer of vanilla frosting, you’re likely anticipating a vacation full of snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dogsledding, or cross-country skiing. Instead of packing t-shirts and hiking boots, you’ll need a hardy jacket; Dubois’ winters are considered fairly mild by local standards, but temperatures can still dip down to 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-11 degrees Celsius) in January and February. For those who don’t mind an adrenaline rush, the ice climbing around Dubois is top-notch. No matter what, make sure to take part in a guided tour and/or bring along an experienced friend for safety.
