Wind River Reservation to Receive $4M for Outdoor Recreation Projects

Nearly $4.4 million in state funding will go toward seven outdoor recreation projects on the Wind River Indian Reservation, as part of the 2025 Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Program, WyoFile reports.

These investments aim to enhance outdoor amenities, boost tourism, and create economic opportunities in a region known for its scenic landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Of the $17.8 million awarded to 15 projects statewide, nearly half of the funds will support initiatives on the Wind River Reservation, where advocates see untapped potential for sustainable tourism.

The 2.2-million-acre reservation, home to the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, features mountainous terrain, pristine lakes, rivers, and buffalo herds—natural attractions that have long drawn visitors to surrounding areas like Lander, Thermopolis, Jackson, and Dubois.

Paul Huberty, Executive Director of the Wind River Development Fund, noted that neighboring communities have successfully leveraged outdoor recreation for economic growth.

“Everybody around us has capitalized on the natural resources here,” Huberty said. “So we know it works.”

Now, local organizations are working to expand access to outdoor recreation for both tribal residents and visitors.

The Wind River Development Fund and its partners will lead six of the seven reservation-based projects, which include:

• $791,000 for trailhead improvements at Mosquito Park, Washakie Park, and St. Lawrence Basin, including signage, picnic areas, and restrooms.

• $1.2 million for upgrades at Bull Lake, Dinwoody Lake, Moccasin Lake, and Ray Lake, such as boat ramps, kiosks, and pavilions.

• $508,000 to renovate the Fort Washakie powwow arbor, an important cultural gathering space.

• $1.1 million for three Eastern Shoshone playgrounds, including an ADA-accessible playground and an elder wellness area.

• $78,000 to restore a baseball field in Fort Washakie.

• $333,000 for a Tribal Buffalo Initiative education center, featuring a pavilion, picnic area, and restrooms.

• $410,000 for the Northern Arapaho Tribe’s Ethete powwow arbor improvements.

These projects aim to increase recreation opportunities, improve visitor amenities, and attract more travelers to the area, potentially boosting economic activity on the reservation.

The outdoor recreation grants complement a larger redevelopment initiative on the reservation. In August 2023, the Wind River Development Fund received a $36 million federal grant through the Recompete pilot program, designed to create jobs in economically disadvantaged areas.

This federal funding will support workforce training, ecotourism infrastructure, and local agriculture projects. Among its initiatives:

• $9.75 million for a buffalo center to support the Tribal Buffalo Initiative.

• $6.5 million for a wildlife museum and ecotourism center in Fort Washakie.

• Training programs in trail-building and outdoor recreation jobs.

“This is part of a bigger vision for the reservation,” Huberty said.

Tourism already plays a major role in Wyoming’s economy, generating $2.2 billion and supporting nearly 16,000 jobs in 2023. While most visitors head to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, the Wind River Reservation sits just southeast of Yellowstone and could attract more travelers by improving its recreational facilities.

Erika Yarber, Chief Operating Officer of the Wind River Development Fund, emphasized the opportunity to capture more of the $167 million in annual tourism spending that flows into Fremont County.

“We see campers and travelers passing through, but there’s just nowhere [on the reservation] for them to spend their money,” Yarber said.

The projects reflect a collaborative effort among tribal organizations, community groups, and state officials. Partners include the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Northern Arapaho Tribe, Wind River Visitors Council, Tribal Buffalo Initiative, and Central Wyoming College.

While the reservation’s economic outlook is improving, concerns remain about future federal funding. Some national grant programs have been paused or eliminated, raising questions about long-term financial support for infrastructure and workforce initiatives.

“We were just about to take off running,” Huberty said. “And instead, what we’re going to do is just walk.”