112 Miles Round-Trip from Riverton
A rare glimpse of ancient Indian history awaits
visitors, in authentic Indian petroglyphs, preserved at a unique
site called Castle Gardens. Petroglyphs, carvings in stone, were
used by past cultures as ways to record history and share stories.
Castle Gardens is 46 miles east from the southern edge of Riverton.
Half of the drive is on dirt roads, making the trip longer than
the mileage indicates. Plan at least 1.5 hours to get there.
Travel south out of Riverton on Hwy. 789 to its intersection with
Hwy. 136, known locally as the Gas Hills Road. Turn left and head
east, going past the intersection with Hwy. 135, which is 8/10ths
of a mile from the turn onto 136. Continue driving east on 136,
past sandstone formations.
After driving 35 miles on Hwy. 136, turn left onto a bladed dirt
road to Castle Gardens. In 6 miles, a Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) sign indicates a right turn onto another dirt road, noting
that Castle Gardens is 5 miles away. That 5-mile stretch of secondary
road receives little maintenance. During dry summer months, travelers
should have no trouble driving it. In the winter and spring, the
final 3 miles of this road may be snowed in or too muddy to drive.
When you crest the top of the hill and look down at the one-of-a-kind
Castle Gardens, the drive will have proven worthwhile.
The Castle
Gardens petroglyph site has been designated on the National Register
of Historic Places. An unpaved hiking trail leads visitors to the
petroglyphs. Set aside at least 1 hour to walk around the site.
Don't forget your camera to record the exquisite rock features.
Gas Hills Uranium Mine
For a short side trip, after leaving Castle Gardens and returning
to the paved road, you can visit the Gas Hills uranium mines
by turning left and driving another 10 miles east. More detailed
information
on Riverton's mining industry is available at the Riverton
Museum at 700 E. Park Ave. It is open year-round Tuesdays -
Saturdays
from 10 - 4.
HALF DAY OPTION
Less Than 10 Miles Round-Trip
1838 Rendezvous site
The confluence of the Big and Little
Wind Rivers is the preserved site of the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous,
where trappers came to
trade their furs and partake in several days of merriment.Riverton
has the only site of an original trapper's rendezvous not developed
by modern man. The 1838 Rendezvous site, which stretches 100 acres
along the Wind River, looks much like it did in 1838, the final
year a "big" rendezvous was held. The site is easily
reached from the intersection of Main Street and Federal Boulevard.
Travel 5 blocks south on Federal and turn left on East Monroe Avenue
for 1 mile. At the intersection with Smith Road, turn right. Follow
the signs to a dirt road into a gravel storage area and in 2/10ths
of a mile, you'll come to the buck and rail fence and a wooded
area that is the 1838 site.
At the site, a walking path with stone markings and signs relate
tales about famed mountain men. The developed trail can be walked
in 30 to 40 minutes. The site is open to the public year-round.
The 1838 Rendezvous Association is dedicated to the preservation
of the site and the re-enactment of the rendezvous. For a week
every July, members don period clothing and relive the days of
yore. Check with the Riverton Chamber of Commerce for dates to
this year's 1838 Rendezvous to barter on trader's row, try your
hand at hawk and knife throwing and watch black powder rifle shooting
contests. |  © www.WindRivercountry.com
Castle Gardens offers a rare glimpse of ancient Indian history
Castle Gardens offers lots
of shield petroglyphs to view.
1838 Rendezvous
Boysen Driving Tour
Boysen State Park
Castle Gardens Driving Tour
Relaxing Lifestyle
Riverton Attractions
Wind River Heritage Center
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