Sinks Canyon
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
Sinks Canyon is an exciting place with many things to astound visitors. You get to see the Popo Agie River sink underground and reappear hundreds of yards below at a location known as the "Rise." The Rise is an area with a large pool with plenty of massive trout. The pool is popular among visitors who come to watch and feed fish. The canyon consists of public lands where you can find three Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. It is also jointly managed by the State of Wyoming and the USDA Forest Service.
Located 1.9 miles northeast of Sinks Canyon State Park and 93.7 miles south of Shoshone National Forest, the canyon is rich with wildlife like bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, and the wintering mouse. Bureau of Land Management sites like Sinks Canyon provide public lands supporting numerous activities. Here, visitors can indulge in activities like rock climbing, fishing, picnicking, hunting, wildlife viewing, and horseback riding. If you visit during the winter, a snowmobile trail leads to Shoshone National Forest. You can also use the same route in summer to drive an ATV.
What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Lower Climbing Buttress
The trail begins from the Sawmill Campground, goes across it, and climbs to the Tensleep sandstone cliff’s top. It is a short but steep trail, so be steady when hiking here.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
North Slope Trail
This is a new hiking trail that connects the Sinks to the Rise and the Popo Agie Nature Trail. You can start your hike from the Rise and go to the Falls. It is a beautiful trail with steep switchbacks that could lead you to the northern part of the slope. There are some places where the trail gets rocky and steep.
Length: 1 mile
Intensity: Moderate
Popo Agie Nature Trail
This is a beautiful one-mile loop that will highlight different habitats that surround the canyon. You will cross conifer forests, sagebrush meadows, and aspen groves. Interpretive signs along this trail provide more information about flora and fauna. The information also includes some facts about the trail’s geology.
Length: 1 mile
Intensity: Easy
Canyon Trail
The Canyon Trail is one of the longest trails in Sinks Canyon, beginning at the suspension bridge near Popo Agie Campground. The trail continues for a few hundred yards before cutting through the canyon. It can also lead you to Bruces Picnic Area before returning along the river to where it began, the suspension bridge.
Length: 4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Upper Climbing Buttress
You should pass the state park boundary at the canyon's end to reach the trail's beginning. The trail will lead you through switchbacks upwards to the south-facing slope until you reach the "killer cave," a popular climbing area.
Length: 1 mile
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
If you want to fish, you can head to the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River. The place is an excellent cold-water fishery where trout get clear and clean water that provides adequate oxygen to support their breeding. There are enough plants and insects that sustain the growing trout population. The deep pools, overhanging vegetation, and undercut banks provide protective cover for the fish, another supporting factor for their growing numbers. The common fish species are brook and rainbow trout. Ensure you have a valid Wyoming Fish and Game Department fishing license before heading to the canyon.
Wildlife Viewing
Sinks Canyon is home to nearly 100 bird species. You should bring binoculars and a bird guide to watch the different birds. Some common bird species include the calliope hummingbird, gray jay, lazuli bunting, Cassin's finch, house finch, vesper sparrow, song sparrow, blue grouse, mourning dove, and rock pigeon. You can also watch other animals like the bighorn sheep, elk, wintering mouse, and mule deer.
Climbing
Sinks Canyon has massive limestone, granite, and sandstone cliffs, making it one of the best climbing areas. Also, it neighbors another excellent climbing area, the Wild Idris, which has an attractive dolomite wall to climb.
Hunting
Hunting is allowed, but you must get a Wyoming Fish and Game Department hunting license. With a license and during the proper season, you can hunt elk, mule deer, and bighorn sheep.
Bureau of Land Management Camping
RV Camping 
You can find Bureau of Land Management camping grounds at Sinks Canyon State Park. Sinks Canyon Campground charges $15 for a night’s stay. It has 14 campsites, but room for large RV camping is limited. You will have access to fire pits, pit toilets, tables, and seasonal water. Sawmill Campground charges $10 for Wyoming residents and $18 for non-residents. The campground is mainly a day-use area, but it has five campsites where you can use a tent or a camper. There is seasonal drinking water from a hand pump. Also, families can access a small playground and climbing structure for kids. Popo Agie campground has 24 campsites that allow tents and campers, but areas for larger RVs remain limited. You can access showers in Lander at a small fee. Also, there are tables, pit toilets, and fire rings. The nightly charges are $10 for Wyoming residents and $18 for non-residents.
Free Camping 
BLM RV camping is possible on many Bureau of Land Management free camping grounds on public lands in Wyoming. You can camp for free in the remote areas of Shoshone National Forest. The area offers solitude and primitive camping, but you will not have access to tables, drinking water, or toilets. You can visit the BLM website or search online for "BLM camping near me" to find more information on camping on public land.
RV Rentals Near Sinks Canyon Plan your next adventure
Planning your Sinks Canyon BLM trip
You might need to pack your RV with enough food supplies and amenities if you prefer dispersed camping to developed camping. The remote areas don’t have toilets, water, or camp hosts. You must depend on your camping experience and knowledge of the area for a smooth experience. Regardless of the camping option you pick, you must pack essential items like seasonal clothing, footwear, RV cookware, and insect repellent. Also, print a map of the area and remain updated on the weather forecast. Before heading out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Sinks Canyon Location
To get to the Sinks Canyon, use Highway 131. Take the highway southwest out of Lander for approximately seven miles to your destination on Sinks Canyon Road.
Ready to visit Sinks Canyon? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day of exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.