The 3 miles long, 7,745 feet elevation, and 200 fee max depth Lake Alice is the largest natural lake found in the western portion of the Bridger-Teton National Forest in the state of Wyoming. It is a unique lake that was created thousands of years ago when a massive landslide peeled from the 9,325-foot Lake Mountain and dammed Poker Creek with debris. The lake's outlet flows below the surface through the natural dam and emerges from the mountain as a creek 1 mile away. The mountainside scar from the landslide is still visible today. Lake Alice is the home of the only known pure lake strain of naturally reproducing Bonneville cutthroat trout caused by the isolation of the landslide preventing outside genetic influence. At one time the subspecies was thought to be extinct in Wyoming.

The nearest city is Cokeville, Wyoming about 34 miles to the southwest. Access to the dirt mountain road, and fording a creek with water as deep as 18 inches in the springtime. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. The road ends at Hobble Creek campground and from there a 1.5-mile hike up a moderately steep mountain trail is required to reach Lake Alice. 

The Big Spring Scenic Backway is a 68-mile route between Diamondville/ Kemmerer to Cokeville in Wyoming's southwestern Lincoln County.  The Backway is crisscrossed by historic emigrant trails, the scenic Hams Fork River, and plunges deep into the Tunp Mountain Range in the Bridger-Teton Forest. 

This rugged Wyoming backway is chock-full of local history and beautiful places to visit.  It is one of only two scenic Backways in the State of Wyoming.  

Historically, the Backway was part of the Oregon Trail and in some areas, you can still see tracks and ruts left from early pioneer's wagons. 

GOOD TIRES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WHEN TRAVELING THE BACKWAY.

THE ROAD IS SEASONAL AND HIGH CLEARANCE VEHICLES ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

  Some of the world's best preserved fossils are found in the flat-topped ridges of southwestern Wyoming's cold sagebrush desert. Fossilized fishes, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals are exceptional for their abundance, variety, and detail of preservation. Most remarkable is the story they tell of ancient life in the warm, wet environment in and around a freshwater lake .

Fossil Quarry Program On Fridays and Saturdays during the middle of the summer, visit our research quarry and learn about how fossils are found. You can't keep any fossils, but you'll have fun learning how fossils and scientific information are collected.

The quarry is at the top of the Nature Trail, which is a 1.5 mile loop with a 300 ft. elevation gain. Wear comfortable hiking boots, sunscreen, and bring drinking water and insect repellent. There is a pit toilet available at the start of the Nature Trail.

Jr. Ranger Program If you have 30-60 minutes during your visit, a great way to learn about the amazing fossils and other cool things about the national monument is to become a junior ranger. Pick up a free booklet when you arrive at the visitor center. The program needs to be completed on-site; the monument cannot mail out books or badges.

 Fossil Butte National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) 

The park is open sunrise - sunset year round.

The visitor center is open year round, but hours vary depending on the season.
Contact :  Phone
Visitor Center and Headquarters
(307) 877-4455 

Visit the visitor center and museum to see prepared fossils on display. Fossils are not visible on trails. They are trapped within horizontal layers of rock and must be split and prepared before you can view them.

   Fontenelle Dam, Powerplant, and Reservoir, Seedskadee Project, are located on the Green River 36 miles Northeast of Diamondville, Wyoming. The reservoir has a surface area of 8,000 acres. The lake is 20 miles long when full and has a shoreline of about 56 miles. The reservoir is situated north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, at an elevation of 6,500 feet. Recreation use is low and seasonal. Fish species include rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. Fontenelle Reservoir Southeast and Southwest, Anderson Canyon, and Names Hill U.S. Geological Survey maps cover the area. Fontenelle Creek campground has developed campsites with restrooms and running water. Camping fees are charged at Fontenelle Creek Campground. There is no charge for boat launching, primitive camping, picnicking or other activities. Three other primitive campsites are located below the dam. Stream fishing opportunities exist on the Green River above and below the reservoir. 

Phone: 801-379-1000 or BLM at: 307-352-0256 or 307- 828-4500 

Hunting in Southwest Wyoming is a popular activity that attracts many hunters from around the world. The region offers a variety of hunting experiences and opportunities, ranging from big game hunting to bird hunting. The region is home to an abundance of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, antelope, and moose.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is responsible for regulating hunting in the state. They offer a wide range of resources to help hunters plan their hunts, including information on license applications, hunt areas, and regulations.

 Wyoming Game and Fish Department - Hunting 

 July 19-20, 2024

Every July, Kemmerer hosts Wyoming’s largest free music festival, Oyster Ridge Music Festival. The festival is dedicated to bringing world-class entertainment to the thousands of music lovers that attend the event.

Artists that have performed at the festival in the past include Trampled by Turtles, Mountain Heart, The Steeldrivers, Young Dubliners, The Ballroom Thieves, and many more. The 2023 lineup includes Red Wanting Blue, Dave Hause & The Mermaid, The Brevet, Daniel Rodriguez, Stephen Wilson Jr., The Wildwoods, Rose’s Pawn Shop, The Foreign Landers, Highland Reverie, and Robin Kessinger.

The intimate setting of the Oyster Ridge Music Festival along with the good food, good people, and great music, make it an enjoyable experience for music lovers.

Don’t miss these incredible  artists and the intimate, free, scene July 19 and 20, 2024 in Kemmerer.

The Kemmerer Lions Club Ice Fishing Derby draws anglers from all over the region to compete for prizes and enjoy a fun-filled day on the ice. The event takes place each February over Presidents’ Day weekend on Lake Viva Naughton. The derby offers a variety of categories and prizes, including daily and hourly big fish prizes.

All proceeds from the derby go towards supporting the community projects and charitable initiatives of the Kemmerer Lions Club, making it a great opportunity to have fun while giving back.

The Wyoming Range is the area between Alpine and Kemmerer/ Diamondville.  This area has approximately 391 miles of trails.  The main trails are groomed every week, and the secondary trails are groomed every other week or as needed.  This area offers access to trailheads on the east side of the range.  This range offers deep snow, beautiful scenery and fantastic off-trail riding.

Total Miles: 391

Groomed: 245

Ungroomed: 146   

Elevations: 6,000 to 10,000 feet

Grooming season: Mid-December through Mid-March, depending on snow conditions.

Season Temperatures: 30 degrees F to -30 degrees F

For more information or trail maps visit

 Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites, & Trails - Snowmobile Maps - Trails 

 The Wyoming trail system is maintained through cooperative efforts of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources/ Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Lincoln County and Local Snowmobile Clubs.

 Lake Viva Naughton Is Located 18 miles north of Diamondville/ Kemmerer , Wyoming. You can fish for Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, And Brown Trout. 

This beautiful reservoir is a favorite of locals and often you can see the shore lined with campers out for a weekend of great fishing.

 Recreational opportunities include Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Floating, Boating, Wildlife Viewing.

 Wyoming Game and Fish Department - Viva Naughton 

Southwest Wyoming is abundant with fishing for all ages. Whether you prefer to fish on the shores, in raft/boat, or on the ice southwest Wyoming has the spot for you. Fish on the Hams Fork River right in the heart of Diamondville/ Kemmerer or take a short ride upstream to find your rainbow or brown trout. Want to get out by the Lake? Take the 30-minute drive up to Lake Viva Naughton or Fontenelle Reservoir to toss a line in from the banks. 

Want to find that Trophy? The Green River from the Fontenelle Reservoir will give up sizeable rainbows, cutthroats, and browns, just 30 minutes from Diamondville/Kemmerer. 

 Fishing in Southwest Wyoming - Fossil Basin