Gros Ventre Mountain Range

Gros Ven­tre Moun­tain Range

Overview

While the neigh­bor­ing Wind Riv­er Range offers incred­i­ble back­coun­try hik­ing and back­pack­ing, and the Wyoming Range pro­vides beau­ti­ful slices of soli­tude, the Gros Ven­tre Range deliv­ers true iso­la­tion to those up to the effort. With­out major trail­heads and easy access, you need to want to go there — and if you do, you will find what you’re look­ing for – wildness.

Popular Activities

Elk Visit Pinedale WY

GROS VEN­TRE WILDLIFE

The Gros Ven­tre Range is home to elk, moose, deer, black and griz­zly bear, and many oth­er species of wildlife and is an essen­tial calv­ing ground for the Jack­son Hole elk herd. There are a vari­ety of trails through the area that offer an excep­tion­al back­coun­try expe­ri­ence in the unspoiled, pris­tine country.

Path of the Pronghorn
Path of th Pronghorn Pinedale WY
Pronghorn Wildlife Pinedale WY 09
Pronghorn Wildlife Pinedale WY 13
Bull Elk Wildlife Pinedale WY 02
Falcon Wildlife Pinedale WY 05
Pronghorn Wildlife Pinedale WY 01

A TRUE WYOMING WILDERNESS

The 300,000 acres of the Gros Ven­tre Wilder­ness, on the Bridger-Teton Nation­al For­est, is com­posed of high crag­gy peaks, glac­i­er-scoured val­leys, and rolling sage­brush foothills.

The name​“Gros Ven­tre” is from the French word for​“big bel­ly,” and orig­i­nat­ed from Indi­an sign lan­guage meant to con­vey the idea of​“always hungry.”

Bighorn Sheep Wildlife Pinedale WY 11

Looking for Something Different?

Gros Ventre Mountain Range

BEFORE YOU GO

ACCESS­ING THE GROS VEN­TRE RANGE

The Gros Ventre Wilderness area can be accessed from Highway 189/191 in the Hoback Canyon near Granite Hot Springs to the south and from the Upper Green River to the east. Access to the northern portion is via Jackson and the Gros Ventre River Road.

OUT­FIT­TERS & GUIDES

Licensed outfitters and guides offer summer pack trips, hiking, backpacking, llama tours, and full-service hunting trips. The area has hunting seasons for elk, mule deer, grouse, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep. For more information, see the wildlife page.

MOUN­TAIN CONDITIONS

The higher elevations are usually free of snow around mid-July and open until mid-September. Elevations range from 7,000 to over 11,000 feet. Expect summertime temperatures to reach from highs in the 70s-80s during the day to lows of around 30 at night. Afternoon thunderstorms with lightning and rain showers are frequent in the summer. It can snow any day of the year, so visitors should come prepared for a wide variety of weather and temperature conditions.