About the Community
The
Central Wyoming College campus is located in Fremont County on the outskirts of
Riverton, a city of about 10,000 on the banks of the Wind River. The campus and
community lie in the Wind River Valley, a large lowland area bounded by
mountains on three sides. The area has a wide range of environmental zones from
cold desert to alpine. Lakes and streams are abundant. Gannett Peak, Wyoming's
highest mountain, is in close proximity to where the Wind River Mountains adjoin
the valley.
The valley has a rich cultural history. A large portion is
occupied by the Wind River Indian Reservation, home of the Eastern Shoshone and
Northern Arapaho tribes. The rendezvous of the mountain men was held in the
south portion in the early 1800s. Gold mining in the Wind River and Absaroka
Mountains has now yielded to natural resource development. The abandoned Oregon,
California and Mormon trails are nearby and even today can be traced for great
distances.
Recreational opportunities are virtually unlimited.
Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Hot Springs State Park and
extensive forested lands are within easy driving distance. Outdoor activities
include skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing,
photography, horseback riding, golfing and swimming.