Elephant Arch

 Elephant Arch in Lander Wyoming

Elephant Arch in Lander, Wyoming

Several years ago we went to "The Bus" hiking area in Lander, Wyoming to take some family photos.  We happened to find this arch in a rock that looks like an elephant.  I don't know what the arch is really named, but we named it Elephant Arch.  My kids had a great time climbing on top of it.  We went back a couple years later and couldn't find it.  So in August of 2024, my husband and I decided to search for it.  We've been back since then to enjoy this arch in The Bus.

Drive on Baldwin Creek Road until you see a small dirt parking area on the right side of the road.  Across from it there is a very obvious trail, and even a sign warning you to wipe your feet and not bring invasive species into The Bus.  We parked in the parking lot across Baldwin Creek Road and started our hike.  We hiked farther than I thought the arch was, and I saw a grouping of rocks that I thought was probably the location of the arch.  This proved to be true, as after we turned around and headed back to the first grouping of rocks and wandered around a bit, then we finally found the elephant.

This is how the trail begins when you first leave the little parking lot on Baldwin Creek Road.  It is pretty narrow at first, and a little steep.  After you get over this ridge you start to veer to the right.

There are several trails in "The Bus."  It doesn't really matter which one you take, they are all pretty close to each other and all take you to the same destination.  When you leave the parking lot and head up into The Bus, take the trail heading to the right, not the left.  We took the lower trail on the way out and the upper trail on the way back.  We could see at least three trails running parallel to each other pretty much the entire way.

Along the way, don't miss seeing why The Bus is called The Bus -- this broken down volkswagen bus that was long ago wrecked and abandoned in this ditch is where this hiking area got its name.  You will only see it if you're on one of the higher trails - if you're hiking through the ditch you will probably miss it.  Be careful -- twice when I've been there we found rattle snakes enjoying the shade inside the bus.

You'll also spot this old rusted-out car along the trail.

It is parked only feet away from one of the parallel trails

The view of the car from the upper trail - this photo was actually taken on the way back

We had a beautiful double rainbow on our August hike through the bus.

At least one of the hiking trails will eventually take you off to the left - take that direction, although you can still find the elephant if you don't -- but this is a more direct route.

The trail will curve around the small mountain

As you're walking on the trail you'll see this off on your left, on the other side of the gully.  It looks like a small cave over in those rock formations.

After going around the bend you will see this grouping of rocks on your right.  That is where Elephant Arch is, although you can't tell yet.

This grouping of rocks, which would be straight in front of you as you're hiking the trail, is to the left of the group that has Elephant Arch in it.

This very large sloping rock ledge is even farther to the left, but it is very easy to recognize - so when you see this, veer off the trail to the left and explore a little until you spot Elephant Arch, which is in that first grouping of rocks.  My daughter actually filmed a video on this sloping rock formation:

Rebecca performs "Schindler's List Theme" in The Bus

The entire area is absolutely stunning - and it's a lot of fun for kids to climb all over the rocks and explore.  There are a few sharp drop-offs, so be careful if letting your kids wander around.

This photo was taken while standing right beside Elephant Arch - this beautiful double rainbow made the setting even more beautiful!

Elephant Arch was behind us as we were taking this photo.

This is the front view of Elephant Arch

This is the precise location of Elephant Arch

Google Maps Dropped Pin at Elephant Arch

This is what the trail looks like - the tiny veer off the trail was looking at the VW bus.  The green dot is Elephant Arch.

The hike from the parking lot on Baldwin Creek Road to Elephant Arch is less than a mile.  This distance on my Map my Run program includes a few minutes after we got to our car and started driving -- so you can see the actual hike is really quite short.

A lot of people have carved their name into the rock under and around the arch.  Even some from as recent as 2023, which makes me sad.

This is the backside view of the arch

You can climb right under it (under the elephant's trunk)

The front side of the arch with me under it

The back side of the arch with me under it

Getting on top of the arch is easy

Sitting on it like an elephant is fun

The beautiful view from on top of the elephant

This is what it looks like on top of the arch

the top of Elephant Arch

If you decide to take the round-about way, like we did at first, you can still find the arch, you just might have to back-track or bush-wack a little bit.

This is the route we took at first.  We started at Baldwin Creek Road and hiked in the ditch and then on the high trail, passing by the rock formations and then doubling back to where the arch actually is (the red dot)

This was after we had turned around and were headed back - those rocks in the center of the photo are where Elephant Arch is located

If you see this grouping of rocks after you've gone too far, you know you're on the right track

There are a lot of cool rock formations in The Bus

This is what Elephant Rock looks like when facing it straight on - you can't tell it's an arch until you walk to the right of it and see how it looks like an elephant.

If you're lucky maybe you'll see a rainbow too!

Some fun photos from when our family first found Elephant Arch in 2020:

Things to do in the Lander Area:

If you want to experience some small-town life, there is no place better to try it than Lander, Wyoming! Lander is unique and iconic, and has only around 7,000 residents.  Lander houses NOLS, the National Outdoor Leadership School, so there are always adventurers in town, ready to take a NOLS course.  Lander is also home to the Catholic College, so students walk the streets -- especially Main Street and the surrounding streets.  Lander has a friendly, home-town feel.

The Fourth of July

The most note-worthy thing about Lander is the Fourth of July.  You have not really experienced the Fourth of July until you have experienced it in Lander Wyoming.  The small town surges in population as people come to town to celebrate the nation's birthday with a city-wide fireworks show that is like no other.

The day begins with the Challenge for Charities race, which starts and ends at Centennial Park on Main Street.  The Half Marathon is the longest distance offered in this race, with other races including a 5K and a kid's one mile race.  After the racing concludes, at 10 a.m. a parade travels down Main Street starting at the high school and concluding at 1st Street. It is a typical small-town parade that ends with fire trucks soaking the remaining crowd (many seek shelter when they see the fire trucks coming).  After the parade, visitors can head to City Park for the Rotary Club's annual Buffalo BBQ.

But the biggest event of the Fourth of July happens after dark, when the fireworks begin.  You can attend the rodeo and watch fireworks there, or you can drive or walk to any other location in Lander and still be treated to a fireworks show.  Be very careful, because the small town will be bursting at the seams, and that means a lot of traffic and unfortunately sometimes, traffic accidents.  One of our good friends was run over by a car on the Fourth of July one year.  Be aware of your surroundings while enjoying the show!  My favorite viewing area is the Mount Hope Cemetery, but I also enjoy watching the fireworks on the hill near the rodeo grounds, or even just in my own front yard.  I have laid on my sidewalk and looked up at the sky to watch the countless fireworks exploding above me, feeling soot land on my face the whole time.  Individuals from all over the city purchase their own fireworks and set them off, creating a collective fireworks show that is city-wide and nothing short of amazing!  The past couple years my family has gone on a two-mile walk through the city streets to see the fireworks from different views and experience some of the local excitement as people are setting off their own fireworks.  If you do plan to visit Lander for the Fourth of July, book your hotel room very early.  Or, if you can't find a place to stay, Riverton is only 30 minutes away.

The Falls

The most popular destination to visit in Lander is The Falls hike up Sinks Canyon Road.  Head up Sinks Canyon and park in the Bruce Parking lot.  The hike is a little over 3 1/2 miles round-trip.  The reward at the end is viewing the beautiful Popo Agie Falls, and for those who are brave enough -- sliding down the falls.  This natural waterslide is quite safe, although usually VERY cold, so be prepared!  People slide down the falls and hit the cold water and are quite often so shocked that they lose their personal items in the water.  My son has dived down below the falls and found sunglasses, watches, and even go-pros.  If you don't feel like sliding off the falls, you can dip in the cold water before hiking back down.  People come from miles away to hike The Falls trail.

The Sinks & The Rise

You can visit The Rise and feed the fish up Sinks Canyon.  You can read about The Sinks and The Rise on this website:  Sinks Canyon State Park It is free to visit, unless you want to purchase some food for the fish at the fish food vending machine there.  The google maps location of The Rise is here:  The Rise and The Sinks is located here:  The Sinks  The reason these are such noteworthy places, is because the Popo Agie River disappears into the cave at The Sinks, travels through the rocks, and reappears a quarter mile down the highway at The Rise.  But it takes 2-4 hours for it to make it there.  It travels through the mountain in crevices that are too small for divers to travel through.  It is a mystery that scientists studied several decades ago, dying the water as it headed into the cave, and then timing how long the dyed water traveled before it reappeared at The Rise.  While visiting Sinks Canyon State Park you can walk on the nature trail, and you can walk across the swinging bridge.  There are a few campgrounds up Sinks Canyon, and a fun little park at Sawmill Campground.

Hiking & Biking

There are a lot of hiking trails in the Lander area.  Hiking to the Falls, as listed above, is probably the most popular.  Hiking "The Bus," where Elephant Arch is located, is another local favorite.  Many people enjoy hiking Brewer's Trail.  You can also bike Brewer's Trail. Many people enjoy hiking or biking at Johnny Behind the Rocks.  

Here are the locations of the trailheads of some of the most popular hiking & biking spots:

Johnny Behind the Rocks

The Popo Agie Falls

The Bus

Nature Trail

CWC Field Station biking area

Upper Brewers Trail

Middle Brewers Trail

The Aliens

If you want to see something truly unique, head down highway 789 between Lander and Hudson and watch for the aliens sitting on their UFO's on the left side of the road.  They are located next to Elk Country Homes, right here:  Lander's resident aliens  Several years ago, one UFO appeared in Lander with one alien sitting on top of it.  Then a few years later a second UFO appeared with a second alien sitting on top of it.  Now these aliens have children as well.  It is a fun, quirky, unique tidbit about Lander.  

Where to Stay in Lander

There are a few small hotels in Lander, but the one I'd recommend the most is the Holiday Inn next to Safeway.  It is pretty new.  It is located here:  Holiday Inn Lander  There are also hotels such as The Inn at Lander and the Pronghorn Lodge.  There are also a few Airbnb's.  And a lot of people who visit Lander during the summer camp in the many campgrounds nearby.

There are a few restaurants that are quite popular in Lander -- Gannett Grill on Main Street is a favorite, as is El Sol.  And if you have a hard time finding somewhere to stay or somewhere to eat, Riverton is only a half hour away.