Pinedale Ranger District
- Bridger Wilderness Area Information
- Pinedale Ranger District Outfitter & Guides
- Pinedale "Things to See and Do"
Highlighting the Green River Lakes and Squaretop Mountain
Description: The Green River Lakes are nestled behind a natural terminal-moraine dam scoured out by glacial action and surrounded by the stark, cold, steep topography of the Wind River Range. Mostly composed of granite uplifts from deep within the earth over 1 billion years ago, these granite monoliths were uplifted and carved by glaciers 500,000 years ago to form circular valley cirques. The Wind River Range is not only one of the oldest mountain ranges in North America, but has the most extensive glacial network in the lower 48 states. Elevations range from 8,000 feet at Green River Lakes to 13,804 feet at Gannett Peak, the tallest mountain in the middle Rocky Mountains.
The Green River Lakes are considered the headwaters of the Green River; the chief tributary to the Colorado River. The Green River runs 730 miles through Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, and eventually terminates in northern Mexico.They are also the starting point for many backpacking trails including the northern entrance to the frequently used Highline Trail, which extends along most of the Wind River Range and follows the spine of the Continental Divide south to Big Sandy Opening.
Hiking the Highline Trail:
Visitors have a view of the much-photographed large-granite monolith, Squaretop Mountain (11,695 feet) from the Green River Lakes. The mountain looms over pristine blue-green lakes. You can expect to view glimpses of large game animals such as moose, elk, deer, and pronghorn. Other remarkable and more common animals observed in the area include several hawks, both bald and brown eagles, fox, coyote, wolverines, yellow-bellied marmots (rock-chucks), and the golden-mantled squirrel. Occasionally a black bear or grizzly bear are spotted.
The Wind River Range and the Upper Green River Valley were home to both Shoshone and Arapaho Native Americans, and provided sustenance and marketable goods for their daily livelihood as well as to early trappers and settlers. The road to Green River Lakes, which roughly parallels the river, passes the remains of the earliest dude ranch in Sublette County, the first in a long line of successful ranching businesses. For several weeks each June, the Green River Drift, one of the longest-running cattle drives in the nation takes place as wranglers push livestock from adjacent valleys to higher grounds with rich mountain pastures, a distance of about 70 miles.
It is also a naturalist and angler’s paradise being home to the Mackinaw (lake trout), golden, brook, rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and grayling trout.
It can snow any day of the year in the Wind River Range. Visitors should come prepared for cold weather. Afternoon thunderstorms and rain showers are common in the summer and can build quickly.
Early in the season, hikers should be prepared to encounter high water crossings, muddy trail conditions, and tree downfall. Note that this is designated grizzly bear habitat and food storage regulations apply for both the campground and backcountry users.
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | The office is open Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:30pm except Federal Holidays. 307-367-4326 |
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Reservations: | Please note that there are no reservations for dispersed camping. Some campgrounds have reservable sites available, go to www.RECREATION.gov. The remaining sites are “First Come, First Served." |
Restrictions: |
Permits are required for group use, institutional groups, and overnight stock use in the Bridger Wilderness. Please check regulations and permit information and food storage requirments before planning a trip.
Bridger Wilderness Area information
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Activities
Sand Play
Areas for Sand Play at Pinedale Ranger District
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Pinedale Ranger District
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Pinedale Ranger District
- Big Sandy Campground
- Boulder Lake Campground
- Fremont Lake Campground and Group Campground
- Green River Lake Campground
- Half Moon Lake Campground
- New Fork Lake Campground
- The Narrows Campground
- Trails End Campground
- Whiskey Grove Campground
- White Pine Ski Area
- Willow Lake Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Pinedale Ranger District
- Fremont Lake Campground and Group Campground
- Green River Lake Group Campground
- New Fork Group Campground
Cabin Rentals
Areas for Cabin Rentals at Pinedale Ranger District
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Pinedale Ranger District
- Fremont Lake Campground and Group Campground
- Green River Lake Boating Site
- Green River Lake Campground
- Green River Lake Lodge
- Half Moon Lake Campground
- Lower Fremont Lake Boating Site
- New Fork Group Campground
- New Fork Lake Boating Site
- New Fork Lake Campground
- The Narrows Campground
- Upper Fremont Lake Boating Site
- Willow Lake Boating Site
- Willow Lake Campground
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Pinedale Ranger District
- Big Sandy Campground
- Big Sandy Trailhead
- Green River Lake Campground
- Green River Lake Trailhead
- New Fork Lake Campground
- The Narrows Campground
- Whiskey Grove Campground
Ice Fishing
Areas for Ice Fishing at Pinedale Ranger District
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Pinedale Ranger District
- Beaver Creek Trailhead
- Big Sandy Campground
- Big Sandy Trailhead
- Boulder Lake Campground
- Boulder Lake Trailhead
- Burnt Lake Trailhead
- Elkhart - Pole Creek Trailhead
- Green River Lake Campground
- Green River Lake Lodge
- Green River Lake Trailhead
- Half Moon Lake Campground
- Half Moon Lake Trailhead
- Kinky Creek Trailhead
- Little Sandy Trailhead
- Meadow Lake Trailhead
- New Fork Group Campground
- New Fork Lake Campground
- New Fork Trailhead
- Scab Creek Trailhead
- Spring Creek Park Trailhead
- Sweetwater Trailhead
- The Narrows Campground
- Tosi Creek Trailhead
- Trails End Campground
- Whiskey Grove Campground
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Pinedale Ranger District
- Big Sandy Campground
- Big Sandy Trailhead
- Boulder Lake Campground
- Boulder Lake Trailhead
- Burnt Lake Trailhead
- Doubletop Mountain Trailhead
- Elkhart - Pine Creek Trailhead
- Elkhart - Pole Creek Trailhead
- Green River Lake - Lakeside Trailhead
- Green River Lake Trailhead
- Half Moon Lake Trailhead
- Kinky Creek Trailhead
- Little Sandy Trailhead
- Long Lake Trailhead
- Meadow Lake Trailhead
- New Fork Trailhead
- Scab Creek Trailhead
- Section Corner Trailhead
- Spring Creek Park Trailhead
- Sweetwater Trailhead
- The Narrows Campground
- Trails End Campground
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Pinedale Ranger District
- Beaver Creek Trailhead
- Big Sandy Trailhead
- Boulder Lake Trailhead
- Elkhart - Pine Creek Trailhead
- Elkhart - Pole Creek Trailhead
- Green River Lake Campground
- Green River Lake Trailhead
- Kinky Creek Trailhead
- Meadow Lake Trailhead
- New Fork Trailhead
- Scab Creek Trailhead
- Spring Creek Park Trailhead
- Sweetwater Trailhead
- Tosi Creek Trailhead
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Pinedale Ranger District
- Big Sandy Campground
- CCC Ponds Interpretive Site
- Fremont Lake Campground and Group Campground
- Green River Lake Campground
- Green River Lake Lodge
- New Fork Lake Campground
- The Narrows Campground
- Whiskey Grove Campground
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Pinedale Ranger District
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Pinedale Ranger District
OHV Trail Riding
Areas for OHV Trail Riding at Pinedale Ranger District
Interpretive Areas
Areas for Interpretive Areas at Pinedale Ranger District
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Pinedale Ranger District
Boating - Motorized
Areas for Boating - Motorized at Pinedale Ranger District
- Boulder Lake Boating Site
- Boulder Lake Campground
- Fremont Lake Campground and Group Campground
- Green River Lake Campground
- Half Moon Lake Boating Site
- Half Moon Lake Campground
- Little Half Moon Lake Boating Site
- Lower Fremont Lake Boating Site
- Meadow Lake Boating Site
- New Fork Lake Boating Site
- New Fork Lake Campground
- Sandy Beach Picnic Area
- The Narrows Campground
- Upper Fremont Lake Boating Site
- Willow Lake Boating Site
- Willow Lake Campground
Boating - Non-Motorized
Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Pinedale Ranger District
- Boulder Lake Campground
- Fremont Lake Campground and Group Campground
- Green River Lake Boating Site
- Green River Lake Campground
- Green River Lake Lodge
- Half Moon Lake Boating Site
- Half Moon Lake Campground
- Lower Fremont Lake Boating Site
- New Fork Group Campground
- New Fork Lake Boating Site
- New Fork Lake Campground
- Sandy Beach Picnic Area
- The Narrows Campground
- Upper Fremont Lake Boating Site
- Willow Lake Boating Site
- Willow Lake Campground
Swimming
Areas for Swimming at Pinedale Ranger District
Skiing/Snowboarding
Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Pinedale Ranger District
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Pinedale Ranger District