What are the Winds?

The Wind River Mountains consist of one Tribal Roadless Area and three federally designated Wilderness Areas.  On the east side of the continental divide, the Wind River Indian Reservation’s Roadless Area was designated in 1938, a good 26 years before the Wilderness Act of 1964, making it the first national designated roadless area in the United States.  

The Bridger Wilderness on the west side of the continental divide, managed by the Pinedale District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, was designated in 1964 with the passage of the Wilderness Act, and expanded to its current size in 1984.  

The Fitzpatrick Wilderness, designated as Wilderness in 1976, is managed by the Shoshone National Forest, as is the Popo-Agie Wilderness, designated in 1984 with the passage of the Wyoming Wilderness Act.  

All together, these protected areas make up what is commonly referred to as “The Winds”.