Fort Washakie, WY

Set against the foothills of the Wind River Range in western Wyoming, Fort Washakie is the cultural and administrative hub of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. Located along Highway 287 about 15 miles northwest of Lander, this small community offers quiet rural living rooted in deep heritage. Originally founded as a 19th-century military outpost, it now serves as the center for tribal government offices, community services, and the regional Bureau of Indian Affairs agency.

ATTRPhilkon Phil Konstantin / CC BY-SA 3.0

Life here moves at an easy pace against a backdrop of sweeping plains and jagged mountain peaks. Daily life revolves around local schools, tribal programs, and community events, with Lander just a short drive away for larger grocery runs, dining, and medical care. The area holds significant history, including the old fort site and the gravesites of Chief Washakie and Sacajawea. It is a quiet, close-knit place surrounded by wide-open ranch country and easy access to the great outdoors.