Pinedale Wyoming
Pinedale is your base camp for Adventure! As the Gateway to the Bridger Wilderness and the Wind River Mountains, Pinedale and its surroundings are a must see during your vacation to the region.
Located in Pinedale, WY just 2 hours south of Yellowstone Park. Cozy 2 room cabins w/ full kitchens.Population: Around 1,500
Elevation: 7,100 feet
Location: Western Wyoming, on the western flank of the Wind River Mountains
Area History:
Sublette County is historically the homeland of the Shoshoni and Sheepeater Indians. Gros Ventre, Bannock and Crow tribes also lived and hunted in this area for centuries. From 1820-1840 the area was the home of mountain men, fur trappers and traders. The county was named after one of them, William Sublette. The area was the center of the fur trade era with beaver hides highly valued. A rendezvous was held near the Green River and involved wagon trains from St. Louis meeting with the mountain men to trade supplies, traps, powder, food and whiskey for the trapper's hides. The era ended in 1840 when the beaver hat went out of fashion and the demand for pelts halted.
In the late 1850's, the Lander Cut-off of the Oregon Trail was built from South Pass through Sublette County. Emigrants passed through the area, but did not stay until the last quarter of the 1800's. In the1890's cattlemen began to winter their stock in the area's protected valleys. Then they settled by the creeks and rivers themselves. Ranching was the primary economic factor in the area until tourism and recreation outpaced it in the 1980's. Now oil and natural gas produce the largest share of the county's revenue, with the Jonah Field and Pinedale Anticline currently two of the largest natural gas fields in the country.
Transportation:
The closest commercial airports are in Jackson (77 miles), Rock Springs (100 miles) and Salt Lake City (250 miles). The nearest railroad is in Rock Springs.
The local general aviation airport is Pinedale Wenz Field, located approximately 6 miles south of Pinedale adjacent to US Hwy 191. The runway is 7100' x 100', asphalt surface, with NDB approach, AWOSIII-P/T weather station. Elevation is 7080'. This field is suitable for larger corporate jets. Services include fuel, line service, aircraft maintenance, repair & inspection, transient hangar space, crew car, flight instruction, 24-hour availability.
Shuttle services from Rock Springs and Jackson airports to Pinedale, and to local trailheads, are available from The Great Outdoor Transportation Company through The Great Outdoor Shop in Pinedale. The local car rental company is Sublette Travel Auto Rental, which also has charter vans available as Sublink Stage in Pinedale.
How Far From:
Jackson Hole-78 miles north (about 1-1/4 hours)
Yellowstone National Park-130 miles north (about 2 hours)
Rock Springs-100 miles south (about 1-1/2 hours)
Salt Lake City-237 southwest (about 4 hours)
Local Attractions:
- Museum of the Mountain Man - Home of Jim Bridger's rifle, fur trade & Plains Indian exhibits
- Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course - 18 hole designed 9 hole course
- Indoor Ice Arena - Youth & adult ice hockey, recreational skating, archery range, concession stand, heated seating and pro shop.
- Pinedale Aquatic Center – leisure pool with water slide and current channel, competition lap pool, raquet ball courts, climbing wall, walking track, fitness equipment & child care – next to the high school.
- Public Tennis Courts & Baseball Diamonds;
- Wind River Mountains & Bridger Wilderness - 15 of Wyoming's 16 highest peaks
- Gannett Peak - Wyoming's highest peak 13,804'
- Cirque of the Towers - Hard rock technical climber's mecca & spectacular scenery
- Fremont Lake & Skyline Drive - Wyoming's 2nd largest lake & beautiful view of the Wind River Mountains
- Bridger-Teton National Forest - Hundreds of miles of trails, streams, and forest land with public campgrounds and trailhead access
- Green River & Green River Lakes - Fantastic fishing & miles of hiking trails
- Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail - Goes through Pinedale
- Continental Divide Mountain Biking Trail - Goes through Pinedale
- Wyoming Range – incredible wildflowers and uncrowded trails
More Information:
Bridger-Teton National Forest, Pinedale Ranger District, 307-367-4326
BLM-Pinedale Resource Area, 307-367-5300.
Wyoming Game & Fish Department, Pinedale District, 307-367-4352
Contact the Sublette County Visitor Center & Chamber of Commerce for more information about local businesses and services: 307-367-2242
Other pages you might find helpful:
Pinedale Schools
Official site for the Pinedale School District.
Sublette County Library
The Sublette County Library website.
Sublette County, Wyoming
Official site for Sublette County, Wyoming.
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