Road Trip Wyoming: Dubois…of Petroglyphs & Togwotee Pass
With names like Wind River Gear, Stewarts Trap Line Gallery, Tukadeka Traders, and Whiskey Mountain Tackle you get the idea quickly Dubois is all about the outdoors with its own brand of rough and a unique version of western.
Despite the French ending (bois) and the fact other Wyoming names are pronounced with the French pronunciation, you would be wrong to assume that Dubois is “Do-bwa.” It’s “Do-boys”. Once you get that name down, next is Togwotee Pass, the 9,658 feet high mountain pass North of Dubois in the Absarokas. It’s “Toe-go-tee” – say it fast and run it together.
So what do you do in Dubois, Wyoming other than stand around with your mouth agape rotating in a 360 to take in the red and gray sand castle mesas, the lack of national chains and the Jackalope big enough to attempt an 8 second ride on? (has a saddle just in case you’re inclined).
First, you eat. The Cowboy Cafe‘s breakfast will take you way past lunch. But if you need a refuel or dessert (doesn’t everybody want dessert after breakfast, or is it just me?), head to the Dubois Drug Store & Soda Fountain for a huckleberry shake or one of their home baked yummies.
Then you hike, fish, and explore.
- The Dubois Museum presents stories of the area from the celebrated tie-hack, to the ranchers, outlaws and Native Americans who converged here. A tie-hack was a logger (most of Scandinavian descent) who hacked or shaped the logs into railroad ties.
- Togwotee Trail. It’s not really a “trail.” It’s an overview of the neighboring landscape and features. If you want to do some planning ahead of time, check out a virtual tour: here.

Despite the fact I was just in Dubois mid-September, I didn’t get a great pic. I knew I had this one somewhere. It’s film. Darn good thing Photoshop hasn’t done away with its Dust & Scratches filter. And don’t hold my feet to the fire regarding exactly where around Dubois this was taken. Somewhere in the vicinity will have to be good enough this time. Sometimes, good enough, is enough. I love that saying.
- The Badlands Interpretive Trail. The colorful badlands form a mesmerizing landscape to explore or just view from your car. A colloquial cowboy term for a land so rough it can’t be ridden through, badlands are formed by water carving its way through soft layers of clay, silt and sandstone. The trail offers three hiking tours ranging from a short stroll to a two-hour hike. It’s located 2 miles north of Dubois on the Horse Creek Road.
- Find the Sheepeater Indians petroglyphs near Torrey Lake (south of town). A gravel road takes off from Highway 287 just a few miles southeast of Dubois (Trail Lake Road/Forest Service Road 411) and winds
through glacial moraines to several lake trailheads. You’re specifically looking for the Lake Louise trailhead. You can fish the lakes (with a Wyoming license – see Whiskey Mountain Tackle about one).
- Check out the north end of the Wind River Valley by taking Horse Creek Road/Forest Service Road 285 (the turn-off is in town) to Double Cabin trailhead in the Shoshone National Forest. At the very least drive as long as you’ve got time.
- If you can’t find part (or even one) of the largest Bighorn Sheep herd in North America, head to the Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center for the stuffed version.
- Union Pass: A gravel road leads up the pass providing access to expansive meadows, spectacular views of the Teton, Wind River and Absaroka mountains, and the headwaters of three great North American rivers: the Colorado, the Mississippi, and the Columbia. Directions: 10 miles northwest of Dubois on U.S. Highway 287. Turn at Union Pass Road.
- If you’ve got half a day, take the 4.8 mile round-trip hike to Upper and Lower Jade Lakes. The Jade Lake’s trailhead is adjacent to Brooks Lake Campground. Just after coming off Togwotee Pass look for the Brooks Lake Recreation Area access road (quite a bit north of Dubois).
And about that Jackalope? You can’t drive out of town without a stop at the Exxon station, some photos, and chocolate.

There’s aren’t many states better suited for an all-American road trip, than Wyoming. Not much is traversed via interstate highway, so many of the towns are isolated and brandish scads of character.
Where is Dubois? It’s north and west of the center of the state. From Jackson (actually Moran Junction) take highway 26/287 East (you’ll see a sign). It’s about an hour drive. From Lander, take 26/287 West. It’s about the same distance…’bout an hour down the road ya see?

Was in Dubois last weekend for the first time. Thanks for the help with enunciation. The petroglyphs were like finding treasure. We were given vague directions and were not sure we were going to find ‘any’. We split up and when my cousin found one we heard him yell. It was SO exciting. I’m sure there are more that we didn;t see. Beautiful country! Took my breath away. If I had a dollar for everytime I said, ‘beautiful’, I could retire 🙂
Comment by Mary — October 17, 2012 @ 10:42 am
Went to Dubois this summer (July 2012) after going to Glacier NP. Loved Dubois. The hike to Lake Louise is one that neither I, my wife, or my 12 yr old will ever forget. Did some fishing and actually caught fish (browns/ rainbows) which is rare of me. I loved the town and while it is basically food and gift shops, it doesn’t feel like a typical tourist town. The hiking available there is amazing and we plan to return next year to explore more. I can’t say enough about this area. God blessed it heavily with beauty.
Comment by Kevin C — September 13, 2012 @ 4:34 pm
I will be visiting in September. I can’t wait to hike, ride and learn to flyfish…such gorgeous country. Thanks for the great information, I will use it for my trip 🙂
Comment by Barbara — May 9, 2011 @ 9:57 pm
I fully agree this is an excellent post, but you missed (because of the timing of your visit) a major to-do in Dubois, and that is to visit the National Bighorn Sheep Interpretive Center (http://www.bighorn.org/), and especially, to take the half-day tour high up to Whiskey Mountain. The sheep come “down” to 8,000 ft elevation for the rut and to spend the winter, so the tours are only available late October through March. I hope if you get to the area again you can take advantage of this.
Comment by V.C. Wald — January 16, 2011 @ 10:18 am
Excellent post. It is always nice to read about a wonderful and successful trip. It inspires me in planning for our next family trip. I also get new ideas on how to spend the whole duration of the trip. Your photos are so amazing and I’m pretty sure that everybody in your group had a good time.
Comment by Mercedes — August 24, 2010 @ 9:44 am
click on http://www.absarokawesterndesign.com
thanks
joe
Comment by Joe Brandl — April 10, 2010 @ 11:52 am
check out http://www.duboismainstreet.org and Absaroka Western Designs showroom and custom hair on tannery
Dubois is a wonderful place, we welcome you to our community
joe
Comment by Joe Brandl — April 10, 2010 @ 11:51 am
Really enjoyed your pictures and writing. We are coming out there from Indiana to hunt for petroglyphs this July and would really like to have some directions to some of the sites. Can you offer any information? I’m a member of the American Rock Art Research Assn.
Comment by Doro Graden — April 4, 2010 @ 7:07 pm
Torry lakes basin is so beatiful and pristine in the summer time it will take your breath away. Did well fly fishing there, watch out for the moose.
Comment by Steven Tiede — February 4, 2010 @ 6:21 pm
Great town….but I want to see the photo of you on the Jackalope because we know you have one!
Comment by John Batdorff — November 15, 2009 @ 11:18 am
Is a Jackalope’s fur soft?
Comment by Pops — November 13, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
Would you have to have a SUV to make this trip? And how do you sniff out chocolates in a service station? Do you think that flag behind the jackalop means ‘only in america’? Hmmmm…….guess your Papaw Barnes could have been called a tie-hack, he hacked or shaped the logs into railroad ties and carried them out on his shoulders. Lots I didn’t like about him, but you had to respect his determination and sheer strength when he was a young man.
Comment by Clay Mama — November 13, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Sounds like a nice place to me.
Comment by Steven — November 13, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
Great tour! I always love reading your blog about your adventures. Beautiful pictures. I especially love the plates on the wood. Nice job.
Comment by Alison Turner — November 13, 2009 @ 8:17 pm