Visit Pinedale, Wyoming

The Big Sandy Campground, the farthest campground from a town and the most confusing to reach, still receives high visitor use. The road access is paved for about 27 miles then 27 miles of gravel and dirt. The last 10 miles of the road are very rough and not recommended for RV use, however people do take them up. You may want to scope it out with a high clearance vehicle before taking your RV along the last portion of the road. The Big Sandy Campground is located at the end of the road and has 12 sites. Big Sandy Lodge is also located in the opening with lodging and meals by reservation. The campground and trailhead start at 9,100' elevation. Corrals are available. The first 6 miles of the trail are gentle to Big Sandy Lake. Then it's a steep hike to Jackass Pass and the Continental Divide. Jackass Pass is NOT RECOMMENDED FOR STOCK. If traveling north, the trail has a slight uphill climb. Hiking use is high and stock use is moderate. You may see permitted domestic sheep grazing. There is moderate parking at the trailhead with toilets and corrals. No drinking water is available.

Be aware that this is bear country for both black bears and grizzlies. You can pretty much count on having a bear visitor into your camp if you do not keep it absolutely spotless of food and odor-causing items. Portable bear canisters are available for rent at the Pinedale Ranger District office and permanent ones are located at the Big Sandy Lake area. Use them. Also bring pepper spray, sun screen, insect repellent, and filter your water. Bring a sleeping bag rated for zero or below and be aware that mountain snow storms can occur any day of the year in the high country. This is not the area to go if your goal is a secluded hiking experience. You'll have plenty of company along the trails here since many folks use it to access the Cirque of the Towers area and other destinations in the southern Wind River Mountains.

Burnt Lake is located approximately 24 miles from Pinedale and is at 8,000 feet elevation. This is a low use area for hiking and stock, so is a good place to go if solitude is your desire. The road is rough gravel and a high clearance vehicle is recommended. RVs are not advised. There is no drinking water available or corrals at the campground. The closest town is Boulder which has limited services & some supplies. Pinedale is the closest town for full services.

This trailhead is located approximately 52 miles north of Pinedale (31 miles paved road and 21 miles of good gravel). The Forest Service Green River Lakes Campground at the end of the road has 39 sites. Note that some maps still show a lodge here, but this facility has been closed for many years and is now just a work center for Forest Service employees. There are no food services or lodging other than the campground here. This is a High Use area that is at 8,000 feet elevation. This trail is used for day hikes and fishing with scenic Square Top Mountain in the background as well as a base camp for extended hiking and horseback riding trips into the wilderness. Expect to share the trails with other hikers, backpackers, horse & mule pack strings and possibly hikers with llamas. There is a large parking area for wilderness travelers including log structure toilets, drinking water, corrals and hitch rails. Be aware that this is bear country, with black and grizzly bears inhabiting the upper portion of the Wind River Range. Wolves have also been seen in this area. Carry pepper spray, sun screen and insect repellent. Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness if you are not acclimatized to high elevations and be sure to filter your water for consumption. Cell phone reception is sporadic to nonexistent in these high mountain areas. Be prepared for afternoon thunder & lightning storms with heavy rain at times and have a sleeping bag rated for 0 or below. The Campground Host at Green River Lakes campground can give you the latest information on the status of fires, bears, and trail conditions. Be sure to sign in at the registration sheets at the trailhead.

Low use trailhead that accesses the Timico Lake area. Expect a rough gravel and dirt road ride to the remote and primitive trailhead that is not recommended for low clearance vehicles or sedans. No corrals or drinking water at the trailhead. No restrooms or campground nearby. This area receives very light use from other hikers and stock. If you're seeking solitude for your hiking experience, you'll find it here. The access road is closed before May 15th.

The Scab Creek Campground is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is near the trailhead. It is located approximately 24 miles southeast of Pinedale (19 miles paved road, 5 miles good gravel) at 7,800 feet elevation. This campground and trailhead receive medium hiker and stock use. Corrals near trailhead. No water available. The trail is steep uphill with switchbacks for the first 5 miles and you may see permitted cattle along this portion. Domestic sheep also are permitted from the Raid Lake area north to the Continental Divide. This trail takes you into Bonneville Basin with its mountain panorama above timberline. There is a moderate parking area with corrals. Bring pepper spray, sunscreen, insect repellent, and water filtration system. The closest town is Boulder which has limited services & some supplies. Pinedale is the closest town for full services. The access road is closed before May 15th.

The Willow Creek Trailhead may be shown on some guidebooks and maps, but this access is no longer available due to loss of the road right-of-way through private land that gave public access to the trailhead. The Forest Service is working on establishing new road access to the trails in the vicinity, but at present the road travel plan does not allow vehicle access to existing two track roads. If this is the area you wish to go, contact the Pinedale Ranger District for information on access routes to your desired destination.

The North Horse Creek Trail is popular both for summer hiking and winter snowmobiling. The trailhead gives access along Horse Creek and climbs the south side of the Rim dropping into the Hoback River drainage. Trail also provides easy access to the Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail. Summer season of use is typically June through September. Road is part paved then good gravel.

The Bare Pass Road gives access to several trails in the Wyoming Range including the North Piney, Lake Creek and Lunch Creek Trails. The Lake Creek Trail leads to North Piney Lake, a popular camp destination which can be done in a day or several days. Access road is good gravel surface which typically free from snow from late June through September. The Lake Creek Trail is open to motorized trail vehicles and is considered difficult due to creek fords and terrain. Due to talus and steep pitches, bike riding is a challenge.

The South Piney Creek Road is a good gravel surface which typically is free of snow from late June through September. This trailhead is at 8200 feet elevation, one of the lower points on the Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail.