Just moved to Lander, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
International Climbers’ Festival
Annually in July (2026: July 9–12)
📍 Lander City Park & area crags
Clinics at the crag, art crawl, parties — the longest-running climbers’ festival in the U.S.
Annually in August (2026: Aug 16–18)
📍 Lander City Park & area trails
Three-day festival — rides for all abilities, clinics, shuttles, music, films.
Annually in June (2026: June 13) — 6/18/50 km
📍 Sinks Canyon, near Lander
Kids’ 1 km, 6 km, 18 km, and a 50 km mountain course starting and finishing in Sinks Canyon.
Seasonal volunteer days — see events page
📍 Sinks Canyon & Wild Iris crags, near Lander
Access and trail-maintenance days at Lander’s limestone crags.
Drop in for Wind River beta — shop hours
📍 166 Main St, Lander
The local source for Sinks Canyon and Wild Iris route info, gear, and maps.
By reservation — half-day, full-day & multi-pitch
📍 Sinks Canyon & area crags, near Lander
AMGA-certified guides; all technical gear included, no experience required.
Elemental Performance + Fitness
Member access — bouldering wall & Tension Board
📍 134 Lincoln St, Lander
Bouldering, adjustable Tension Board, campus and system walls; climbing area open during staffed hours.
Scheduled course dates — public enrollment
📍 NOLS Rocky Mountain, Lander
Backpacking and skills expeditions into the Wind River Range from the school’s founding home.
Scheduled WFA/WFR/WEMT course dates
📍 NOLS Wyss Campus, Lander
Public-enrollment Wilderness First Aid, WFR, and WEMT trainings out of the Lander campus.
Casual seasonal group rides — see Instagram
📍 Rotating Lander-area trailheads
Casual rides and skills clinics with the folks who built Johnny Behind the Rocks.
Annually in September — 13/45/75/131 mi
📍 Downtown Lander start/finish
Gravel race with 13-, 45-, 75-, and 131-mile routes through the high desert and Sinks Canyon.
Demo bikes & full service — shop hours
📍 109 Main St, Lander
Demo mountain, gravel, and road bikes plus trail beta in the historic grain elevator.
Rentals & tune-ups — shop hours
📍 371 Main St, Lander
Mountain, gravel, road, and fat-bike rentals; Nordic gear and tune-ups in winter.
Seasonal group runs — “no runner left behind”
📍 Rotating Lander trailheads & City Park
All ages and abilities welcome — full-moon runs, time trials, and social runs; check the calendar.
Wednesdays, 2:45pm · 7-week youth program
📍 Lander Golf Course
Age-based groups (K–5th) focused on play and building skiing skills.
Thursdays, 6:30pm · free winter talks
📍 Pushroot Brewery, Lander
Free ski-topic talks — waxing, injury prevention, racing — over the winter.
Winter event series — see calendar
📍 Beaver Creek Ski Area & golf course, Lander
Old Coach’s Race, Sugar Cookie Showdown, and full-moon ski-and-bonfire nights.
Sweetwater Fishing Expeditions
By reservation — multi-day camps & day trips
📍 Sinks Canyon Rd, Lander
Backpack and horse-assisted camps into the Winds (golden trout a specialty), plus local day trips.
Flies, tippet & advice — shop hours
📍 2024 Mortimore Ln, Lander
Local fly shop for the Popo Agie and Wind River, at the Lander Llama Company.
Scheduled course dates — public enrollment
📍 NOLS Rocky Mountain, Lander
Whitewater kayaking, packrafting, and river courses among the school’s expedition offerings.
Outings spring–fall — all levels welcome
📍 Around Lander & Sinks Canyon
Public bird walks and field trips from the local Audubon chapter; contact for the schedule.
Community hikes & outdoor weekend — see site
📍 Red Butte, near Lander
Staff-led hikes up Lander’s iconic Red Butte, plus the free Wyoming Outdoor Weekend in town.