Wilderness

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Quick Facts
Acres: 428,087
Miles of Trails: 600
Highlights: More than 2,300 lakes, large glaciers, and the highest peak in Wyoming (Gannett Peat at 13,804 ft)

The Bridger Wilderness was designated in 1964 and memorializes the famous Jim Bridger.  This Wilderness lies within the Wind River Mountains and offers 428,087 acres and more than 600 miles of trails for the adventurous of spirit to explore over a lifetime.  This Wilderness extends 80 miles along the Continental Divide and holds the headwaters of the Green River.  Home to some of the world's largest glaciers, the landscape is continuously breathtaking with hundreds of high alpine lakes, glacial cirques and wide sweeping valleys.  The highest point in Wyoming, Gannett Peak rests on the shared boundary with Fitzpatrick Wilderness offering mountaineers a great and memorable challenge.  With elevations ranging above 13,000 feet, winter weather is always just a breath away, the combination of elevation and potential cold working together to create a truly wild feeling throughout the Wilderness.

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The Bridger Wilderness rests within the Wind River Mountains and extends 80 miles along the Continental Divide, holding the headwaters of the Green River. The landscape is continuously breathtaking with hundreds of high alpine lakes, glaciers and wide sweeping valleys. The highest point in Wyoming, Gannett Peak rests on the shared boundary with Fitzpatrick Wilderness offering mountaineers a great and memorable challenge. With elevations ranging above 13,000 feet, winter weather is always just a breath away, the combination of elevation and potential cold working together to create a truly wild feeling throughout the Wilderness. 600 miles of trails await hikers and horseback riders who wish to temporarily lose themselves in this landscape of granite and endless hidden gems of lakes and creeks.

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For information on specific activities such as hiking and horseback riding, see the list of "Activities" below, which provides links to detailed trail information. The Bridger Wilderness has some specific requirements in regards to group size and permits may be required. Make sure to check our permits page for this information. In addition, bear food storage is mandatory on the Pinedale Ranger District north of Boulder Creek within and outside of the Bridger Wilderness and is highly recommended throughout the rest of the Pinedale Ranger District. While visiting the Bridger Wilderness, you may cross over onto the Shoshone National Forest. Be aware of changing regulations when you cross over the Continental Divide into the Shoshone National Forest.

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Quick Facts
Acres: 317,874
Miles of Trails: 250
Highlights: Outstanding habitat for big game, spectacular geology including one of the largest concentrations of landslides

The Gros Ventre Wilderness rests to the north and east of Jackson Hole Wyoming, holds 317,784 acres of wild lands and waters, and was designated in 1984. This Wilderness provides critical habitat and travel corridors to a multitude of wildlife species ranging from pronghorn to elk and bison as well as wolves, grizzlies, mountain lions and many others. The Gros Ventre Wilderness Area is well known for its varied and numerous geological features, hosting a colorful collage of lavenders and oranges on its rocky slopes as well as being one of the world’s largest concentrations of landslides. In 1925 the Gros Ventre Slide was formed from rock and debris rushing down the north slope of Sheep Mountain, creating Lower Slide Lake below and later being established as a National Geological Area. More recently the Crystal Creek landslide has challenged the Gros Ventre Slide’s ferocity, forever changing the path of Wild and Scenic Crystal Creek and the mountains and meadows surrounding it. In addition to wildlife and geology, the Gros Ventre Wilderness was also designated for its watershed values, providing a home to the headwaters of three Wild and Scenic Rivers; the Gros Ventre River, Crystal Creek and Granite Creek, which flows south into the Hoback River. 10,000 years of human history and evidence of human presence can be found in the Gros Ventre Wilderness from Native American travel corridors to fur trappers and early settlers. Today, the Gros Ventre Wilderness hosts 250 miles of trails for backpackers and hunters to explore to their heart’s content.

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The Gros Ventre Wilderness is a gem in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The Wilderness provides critical habitat for many species of wildlife, hosts the headwaters of multiple Wild and Scenic Rivers and offers miles and miles of trails to wander for years via horseback or foot. In addition, the Gros Ventre Wilderness is famous for it's incredible geological features, from alpine peaks to red, purple, and yellow rocky slopes.

The Gros Ventre Wilderness has some specific requirements in regards to group size and permits may be required.  Make sure to check our permits page for this information. In addition, bear food storage is required throughout the north zone of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, which includes the Gros Ventre Wilderness.

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Quick Facts
Acres: 585,238
Miles of Trails: 450
Highlights: Two Ocean Pass where water splits to the Atlantic and Pacific, one of the nation's most productive wildlife areas

The Teton Wilderness lies to the south of famous Yellowstone National Park and boasts 585,238 acres of wildland to explore. The Wilderness provides critical habitat to grizzlies, wolves, and bison as well as the smaller creatures like beaver, mink, and coyote. The Teton Wilderness is the state of Wyoming’s second largest Wilderness Area and rests at the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. With landscapes ranging from mountain meadows and timbered slopes to high alpine plateaus, 450 miles of trails provide access to a large variety of hunting and fishing opportunities. The Teton Wilderness is home to the famous Two Ocean Creek which splits along the Continental Divide, where it’s waters rush from here through the mountains and eventually contribute to both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Also within this critical watershed lie the headwaters of several Wild and Scenic Rivers; Snake River, North and South Buffalo Fork Rivers, the Soda Fork River, and Pacific Creek. The Teton Wilderness provides a huge area of land to explore to the adventurous of spirit. 

The Teton Wilderness has specific regulations. Please check our Alerts page for this information. In addition, bear food storage is required throughout the north zone of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, which includes the Teton Wilderness.

Teton Wilderness Regulations
Party size limits are currently 20 people and 35 head of stock.

Stay Limit
The maximum length of stay at a campsite is 14 days. After 14 days, camps must be moved at least five miles from the original site and cannot be returned to within 30 days.

Livestock
Livestock may not be grazed within ½ mile of Enos, Bridger, Bertha, Golden, Mackinaw and Ferry Lakes. Livestock should not be tied to trees for long periods of time, but tethered on a highline, picketed, hobbled or held within an electric fence. Processed feed (grain) must be stored unavailable to grizzlies.

Bears
All food, garbage, and other grizzly bear attractants must be stored and unavailable to bears according to the Food Storage Order. Bear-resistant panniers and food tubes may be rented from the Ranger Districts. Bear proof food storage boxes and game poles may be found at some locations in the Wilderness. However, visitors should be equipped to properly store food because the sites may already be occupied and game poles may be broken.

For more information, contact the Blackrock Ranger District at 307-543-3900.