The Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) announced today the start of new amenities and infrastructure improvements at Ray Lake, located near Fort Washakie. In partnership with Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Fish and Game, WRDF is advancing this initiative as part of a larger investment in the community infrastructure across the Wind River Reservation.
The Ray Lake project includes the installation of an environmentally friendly boat ramp, upgraded picnic tables and pavilions, new restroom facilities, and enhanced signage to improve visitor experience and environmental stewardship.
Leslie Shakespeare, recently appointed Chief Implementation Officer of WRDF, is leading the project. “This initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration,” said Shakespeare. “By working alongside the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes, Tribal Fish and Game, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, we are creating amenities that not only strengthen recreational opportunities, but also deepen cultural connections to our lands and waters, delivering long-term value to the community.”
The improvements at Ray Lake are part of WRDF’s $1 million investment—supported by a grant from the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation—targeting upgrades at Ray Lake, Bull Lake, Dinwoody Lake, and Moccasin Lake. Similar improvements at the additional lakes are scheduled to begin in spring 2026.
Project Coordinator Justin Webb is overseeing the installation process. “We’ve been planning and procuring equipment and materials for months,” Webb noted. “Now that everything is on-site, we’re ready to bring these long-anticipated improvements to life for the Reservation.”