When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and variable, with high water in the Popo Agie and snow lingering on shaded trails and the upper canyon road.
Pack Waterproof footwear, layers, and traction for late snow on north-facing trails.
Summer
Warm days, cool canyon mornings, and the reliable window for hiking and climbing.
Pack Sun protection, water, and bug repellent near the river.
Fall
Crisp days, cottonwood color, and the best climbing temperatures before snow returns.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for shorter days, and a wind shell for the canyon.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with reduced services and first-come off-season camping.
Pack Insulation, traction, and a plan for limited facilities.
Top things to do
The Sinks and the Rise
The signature sight: the Popo Agie River pours into a limestone cave at the Sinks and reappears a quarter mile downstream at the Rise, where large trout hold in the pool.
North Slope Trail
A climbing trail up the canyon's forested north wall for hikers who want elevation and overlooks above the river.
Canyon climbing crags
Sinks Canyon is a regional sport and trad climbing destination, with crags reachable from the road and short approach trails.
Anchor the day around The Sinks and the Rise
Keep one flexible slot in the day, because weather, parking, and energy usually decide more than the map does. For one day in Sinks Canyon State Park, make The Sinks and the Rise the non-negotiable, add North Slope Trail only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Canyon climbing crags as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with The Sinks and the Rise: The signature sight: the Popo Agie River pours into a limestone cave at the Sinks and reappears a quarter mile downstream at the Rise, where large trout hold in the pool.
- 2Add North Slope Trail: A climbing trail up the canyon's forested north wall for hikers who want elevation and overlooks above the river.
- 3Use Canyon climbing crags as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Sinks Canyon's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
4 quick tools, already seeded for Sinks Canyon State Park. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Sinks Canyon State Park packing list
0 of 22 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Sinks Canyon State Park asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionHiking boots, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- If overnightSleep and shelterTent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping pad
Checklist mode
22 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Sinks Canyon
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Sinks Canyon
The buying guides that match what Sinks Canyon asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
Camp inside the park at Popo Agie Campground if you want to be in the canyon at first light, or use the adjacent Sinks Canyon Campground in Shoshone National Forest as an alternative. Lander, about six miles down the canyon, has hotels, food, fuel, and gear when camping is full or the off-season closes services.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Reserve Sinks Canyon camping for summer, or take a first-come site off-season.
Popo Agie Campground is the in-park option, reservable in the summer season and first-come in the shoulder months. The park also offers yurts for campers who want a roof.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
Wyoming State Parks campsites are reservable May through September through the Wyoming reservation system; off-season sites are first-come, first-served. Camping is generally limited to 14 days in any 30-day period unless posted otherwise.
- Resident campsites run about $11 per night and nonresident sites about $20 per night, before convenience and reservation fees.
- Yurts are available at a higher nightly rate for campers who want a hard-sided option.
- Reserve summer weekends early, since the canyon is a popular gateway to the southern Wind Rivers.
Where to book or verify
Official Wyoming reservation portal, or call 1-877-996-7275.
Official park page with conditions, fees, and amenities.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Popo Agie Campground
Details- Booking
- Reservable May to September; first-come off-season.
- Season
- Open seasonally with reduced off-season services.
- Sites
- Tent and RV sites plus yurts.
- The in-park first check for campers who want to be in the canyon.
Sinks Canyon Campground (Shoshone National Forest)
Details- Booking
- Check Shoshone National Forest for the seasonal window.
- Season
- Seasonal forest campground adjacent to the state park.
- Sites
- National forest campsites.
- A good overflow option when the state park sites are full.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the last mile as carefully as the destination.
Airports, roads, entrances, and local movement belong in the same plan.
Getting there
Get to Sinks Canyon State Park, then move through the park without wasting the day.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- Wyoming
Car strategy
Sinks Canyon sits about six miles southwest of Lander on State Highway 131, which climbs into the canyon and continues up the gravel Loop Road toward the high country in summer.
Car strategy
Most visitors drive from Lander, then either turn the visit into a short interpretive stop or continue up the canyon for hiking and climbing.
Pair this with lodging: the simplest base is the one that removes a real morning problem, not just the one nearest the map pin.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
The Wyoming Film Office (Office of Tourism) smooths access but does not permit; state parks and historic sites require a special use permit, and roughly half the state is federal land with its own rules.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Legal under FAA rules; commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: photographing people and property visible from public space is legal in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the river disappear at Sinks Canyon?
The Popo Agie River flows into a cave in the canyon's limestone at a spot called the Sinks, travels underground, and reappears a quarter mile downstream in a calm pool called the Rise. The water takes longer to resurface than you would expect, and more water comes out at the Rise than goes into the Sinks.
Is there a fee to visit Sinks Canyon State Park?
No. Wyoming State Parks does not charge a day-use fee at Sinks Canyon. Camping fees apply if you stay overnight at Popo Agie Campground.
Can you camp at Sinks Canyon State Park?
Yes. Popo Agie Campground inside the park offers tent, RV, and yurt options, reservable in the summer season and first-come off-season. The adjacent Shoshone National Forest campground is an alternative.