Wind River Canyon / Dubois Basecamp

A 3-day Wyoming motorcycle camping route built around a two-night Dubois basecamp, Wind River Canyon, Togwotee Pass, Grand Teton views, and a scenic Ten Sleep return.

3 Days ~850–950 Miles Basecamp: Dubois CPAP/Electric Site Friendly Indian Springfield Friendly

Static Route Map

Approximate geography — route planning only Gillette Casper Shoshoni Thermopolis Wind River Canyon Dubois Basecamp Togwotee Pass Tetons / Jackson Lake Ten Sleep Buffalo
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Basecamp / major stops

Route Snapshot

Total~900 mi
Days3
Best BaseDubois
Sleep2 nights

Best for

  • Testing the tent/mattress setup
  • CPAP with electric campsite
  • Big Wyoming scenery without a Colorado death march
  • Friday–Sunday long weekend

Day 1 — Gillette to Dubois Basecamp

Route: Gillette → Casper → Shoshoni → Thermopolis → Wind River Canyon → Dubois

Estimate: ~320–360 miles. This is a realistic first day with time to stop in Thermopolis and enjoy Wind River Canyon.

Open Day 1 Google Route Wind River Canyon POI Hot Springs State Park POI Boysen Reservoir POI

Notes

  • Leave early enough to set up camp in daylight.
  • Thermopolis is a good lunch/fuel/stretch stop.
  • Wind River Canyon is the main scenic payoff of Day 1.

Day 2 — Togwotee Pass / Grand Teton Views Loop

Route: Dubois → Togwotee Pass → Moran → Jackson Lake / Oxbow Bend area → Togwotee Pass → Dubois

Estimate: ~220–280 miles depending how far you push into Grand Teton National Park. Unload the bike and make this the photo day.

Open Day 2 Google Route Togwotee Pass POI Jackson Lake Lodge POI Oxbow Bend POI

Optional Add-ons

  • Brooks Lake area if conditions and time look good.
  • Grand Teton pullouts if traffic is not too bad.
  • Turn around early if weather builds over the pass.

Day 3 — Dubois to Gillette via Ten Sleep

Route: Dubois → Thermopolis → Ten Sleep → Buffalo → Gillette

Estimate: ~330–380 miles. This gives you Wind River Canyon again plus Ten Sleep Canyon and a relaxed return home.

Open Day 3 Google Route Ten Sleep Canyon POI

Notes

  • Fuel in Dubois or Thermopolis before crossing bigger empty stretches.
  • Ten Sleep is a good snack/photo stop.
  • Buffalo is the final easy fuel/meal stop before Gillette.

Basecamp: Dubois

For this ride, prioritize an electric campsite because of the CPAP. Shore power means you can use the humidifier, charge the phone, helmet comms, battery banks, and not worry about stretching a CPAP battery.

Dubois KOA Longhorn Ranch / RV Search

Site priority

  • Electric hookup
  • Showers
  • Flat dirt or grass tent area
  • Close enough to town for dinner and supplies

Fuel Estimate

Using a realistic touring range for the Indian Springfield of roughly 38–42 mpg.

900 mi
planning distance
22–24 gal
estimated fuel
$90–110
at ~$4/gal with buffer

Budgeting $125 for fuel gives a comfortable buffer for detours, idling, wind, and higher tourist-town gas prices.

POI Quick Links

Motorcycle Camping Notes

  • Bring a 25–50 ft outdoor extension cord for the CPAP.
  • Pack a small power strip for phone, helmet comms, and battery bank.
  • Use the first night to test the tent/mattress setup while still close to town.
  • Expect cool nights in Dubois, even in summer.
  • Afternoon storms can build over Togwotee; start Day 2 early.