Visit Pinedale WY Summer Backpacking Winds Alt -

Hik­ing & Backpacking

In Pinedale, WY

EVERY­ONE CAN HIKE! NO MAT­TER YOUR FIT­NESS LEV­EL, YOU CAN FIND GOR­GEOUS DAY-TRIPS OR MEM­O­RABLE REMOTE BACK­PACK­ING ADVEN­TURES IN THE WIND RIV­ER AND WYOMING MOUN­TAIN RANGES.

ADVEN­TURE AWAITS

Vis­it Pinedale, Wyoming from July to Sep­tem­ber for end­less hik­ing and back­pack­ing adven­tures. You can choose to explore the majes­tic Wind Riv­er and Wyoming Range for easy day trips or remote back­pack­ing trips for more advanced explor­ers. There are hun­dreds of miles of hik­ing trails wait­ing for you to dis­cov­er them.

Pic­ture open sage­brush val­leys sur­round­ed by tow­er­ing moun­tains. See your­self hik­ing shady, forest­ed regions and tak­ing a dip in peace­ful lakes, streams, and rivers. With all that and ram­pant wildlife, the beau­ty of the Cow­boy State is hard to miss.

You don’t even have to plan it all your­self. There are a num­ber of friend­ly, help­ful local com­pa­nies that will help you dis­cov­er the great Wyoming back­coun­try with­out the has­sle. Guid­ed hik­ing expe­di­tions, trips on horse­back, and even lla­ma rentals to pack in your gear are avail­able to make your trip one for the books.

POP­U­LAR DESTINATIONS

Fremont peak and jackson peak

Wind Riv­er Moun­tain Range

With ten eas­i­ly acces­si­ble trail­heads, it’s a cinch to get to the slopes of the Wind Riv­er Moun­tain Range. With 100 miles of incred­i­ble hikes to explore (pop­u­lar dur­ing July and August), you’ll have plen­ty of options.

Enjoy short, easy day hikes or more intense back­pack­ing trips, depend­ing on what wets your whis­tle. For stun­ning water fea­tures, try New Fork Lakes, Green Riv­er Lakes, Wil­low Creek, and Spring Creek. For trails that carve through impres­sive moun­tain ranges, try Sweet­wa­ter Gap, Elkhart Park, and Union Pass.

Trav­el to trail­heads in a sol­id vehi­cle, as most trail­head roads are unpaved. No mat­ter which path you choose, it will be a hike with beau­ti­ful views, plen­ty of wildlife, and last­ing memories.

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Triple and Mc Dougal Peaks Wyoming Mountain Range

Wyoming Moun­tain Range

If you’re look­ing to explore the out­doors with­out the crowds, the Wyoming Range is a choice you won’t regret. With almost 80 miles of wilder­ness to uncov­er, you can hike to your heart’s desire amongst elk, moose, deer, and bears. Oh my! 

The Wyoming Range Nation­al Recre­ation Trail climbs along moun­tain ridges, lead­ing you to some unfor­get­table views up to 10,500 feet up. Do your research before head­ing out as trails can be easy to dif­fi­cult, depend­ing on the stretch you decide to tack­le. Try the trail to Woh­e­lo Falls, start­ing at Mid­dle Piney Lake and lead­ing to Wyoming Peak for a larg­er-than-life panoram­ic view.

Trails are open from mid-May to mid-Octo­ber. Peak months are August and September.

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Cirque of the Towers Pinedale WY

Cirque of the Towers

For expe­ri­enced hik­ers that want a long day hike or an overnight trip, Cirque of the Tow­ers is a breath­tak­ing place with choice views. The main trail is 18 miles and is a well-loved hike. August through Sep­tem­ber are peak months. Want to bring your best friend? Good news, dogs are allowed!

You’ll see col­or­ful wild­flow­ers, huge glacial-carved gran­ite, clear lakes and rivers, and views that will knock your socks off. If you’re a fish­er­man, there are prime spots to catch a meal along the way.

The pop­u­lar loop trail that starts and ends at the Big Sandy Trail­head is about 23 – 24 miles long, which makes for a mem­o­rable 2 – 4 day trip. Be sure to pack a map and com­pass and bring some­one that knows how to use them!

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Visit Pinedale WY Summer Backpacking Dinner Winds

Island Lake

For expe­ri­enced hik­ers that want a long day hike or an overnight trip, Cirque of the Tow­ers is a breath­tak­ing place with choice views. The main trail is 18 miles and is a well-loved hike. August through Sep­tem­ber are peak months. Want to bring your best friend? Good news, dogs are allowed!

You’ll see col­or­ful wild­flow­ers, huge glacial-carved gran­ite, clear lakes and rivers, and views that will knock your socks off. If you’re a fish­er­man, there are prime spots to catch a meal along the way.

The pop­u­lar loop trail that starts and ends at the Big Sandy Trail­head is about 23 – 24 miles long, which makes for a mem­o­rable 2 – 4 day trip. Be sure to pack a map and com­pass and bring some­one that knows how to use them!

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OTH­ER HIK­ING LOCATIONS

East Temple and Moon

EAST TEMPLE PEAK

For you hard-core hikers, this area in the Southern Wind River Range through the Big Sandy Trailhead is a challenge, but worth every step. Take plenty of pictures from the East Temple Peak summit viewpoint to show off to your fellow hiking friends. This hike/climb isn't as popular as the basins below, which means more trail for you! One thing is for sure. After conquering this peak, you'll literally feel like you're on the top of the world

Deep Lake and Temple Peak Wind River Range

DEEP LAKE & TEMPLE PEAK

Southern Wind River Range, accessed from Big Sandy Trailhead.

Titcomb Basin Wind River Range

TITCOMB BASION

Emerge from a dense forest to open meadows littered with wildflowers, shimmery lakes, and refreshing ponds. Titcomb Basin has awe-inspiring hikes that will satisfy any hiker with a love for incredible views and changing scenery. This area in the Central Wind River Range is accessible through the Elkhart Park Trailhead and offers a variety of trails, depending on your skill level and time restraints. A must-see if you're in Pinedale to discover the Real Wyoming.

Looking for Something Different?

East Temple and Moon

BEFORE YOU GO

  • Trails are most accessible from July to September
  • Snow is usually absent from July until October
  • Due to the high elevation of mountain ranges, caution for altitude sickness is advised when hiking
  • Trailheads are as much as 40 miles from the nearest town
  • Cell phone service is weak to non-existent and no telephones are available at the trailheads
  • Hikers and backpackers are advised to carry a map, compass, extra clothing, food, mosquito repellent/face nets, and bear spray
  • Bring plenty of water, as well as a form of water purification for extended trips as there is a risk of giardia contamination from the mountain water