Summary
- Pinedale, Wyoming is a beautiful town surrounded by stunning mountain ranges, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation and wildlife sightings.
- The best time to visit Pinedale is in the summer, between late July and early September, when the weather is pleasant and the trails are clear for exploration.
- Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, backpacking, rock-climbing, horseback riding, and watersports in the lakes surrounding Pinedale, as well as explore the town's art and cultural scene.
Wyoming’s six beautiful mountain ranges are among the reasons why it is famous around the world. Seated in a high alpine valley at an altitude of 7,175 feet, Pinedale is surrounded by the Wyoming Range, the Ventre Mountains, and the Wind River Range, the largest mountain range in the state.
The town is among the most beautiful towns in Wyoming and is known for its incredible outdoor recreation, which comes in varieties. Its surrounding is home to some of the most amazing wildlife, stunning attractions, and a wonderful food scene. Exploring Pinedale? Here is how to visit the gateway to Wyoming’s largest mountain range.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Pinedale?
Pinedale is beautiful and has fun activities that visitors can enjoy year-round. In the winter, which starts in mid-November and ends in early March, travelers can enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, mushing, and more. The weather is definitely cold at this time, but as long as one can handle the temperatures, a magical winter vacation is guaranteed in Pinedale.
Summer months are the best times to explore this charming town at its most spectacular. The season boasts average upper temperatures of 77 °F and lows of 48 °F. Summer nights are always perfect for lighting campfires, making camping a must-experience in the hot season.
For the most unforgettable experience in summer, vacationers should plan to visit Pinedale between late July and early September. This is when one can enjoy the fun activities, as the snow has completely melted, making the incredible trails clearer to explore.
- The best time to visit: late July through early September
Pinedale is one of the best summer destinations in the U.S. but mosquitoes can be annoying in the Wind River Range.
Wildfires are common in the West, and smoke can spread across the states in the region. Sometimes Pinedale experiences smoky skies, but that’s not a big problem. The only thing travelers may suffer when it happens is having limited views. One important tool to use to check for possible wildfires and where they will reach is AirNow.
How To Get Around Pinedale
Tourists visiting Pinedale will fly into Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), which offers flights on various airlines, including American, Delta, United, and Alaska. Those who want to fly to a major airport can use Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), which is the closest international airport, which is about 243 miles away.
Travelers can also get to Pinedale by driving. Some of the most popular locations to drive from include, Bozeman in Montana, Casper in Wyoming, and Cheyenne in Wyoming.
When it comes to navigating the town, a car is the best option. This is because it is very remote. Visitors without their own cars can rent cars from rentalcars.com.
One wouldn’t have to worry about which car to drive in Pinedale. Most cars will work, but a 4×4 vehicle will make the experience better since the roads are a bit rough.
Vacationers who don’t wish to have a car can opt for GOTCo Shuttles, which can run from Pinedale to places like Big Sandy, Green River Lakes, and Alkhard Park, and go to some of the surrounding trailheads.
Things To Do In Pinedale
From being one of the best stargazing destinations to offering incredible backpacking, fishing, hiking, and photography opportunities, Pinedale has endless fun outdoor activities to keep tourists busy throughout their visit.
Are there grizzly bears in Pinedale Wyoming? Yes; Pinedale has a variety of wildlife, with everything from mule deer to moose to grizzly bears and even gray wolves.
Enjoy Hiking And Backpacking
Between July and September, vacationers can enjoy plenty of hiking and backpacking opportunities in Wyoming’s Pinedale. One can choose to take a day trip to the Wind River Mountain Range, which is just outside Pinedale, a must-visit for those who want to explore some of the most scenic mountains in Wyoming.
This charming town gives access to hundreds of miles of trails, winding through stunning forests, lakes, rivers, and streams. One will also have plenty of chances to spot some of the region’s best wildlife.
Enjoy Endless Rock-Climbing Opportunities In The Wind River Range
One of the top rock-climbing destinations in the U.S., Wind River Range is a beloved destination among climbers, and regular travelers, alike. There are rock climbing opportunities in this beautiful mountain range is mostly suitable for experienced climbers.
- Suitable for: Experienced climbers
There are plenty of other opportunities that climbers of any skill level can enjoy around Pinedale. A great option is visiting the Stonehenge and Lizard Rocks.
Go Horseback Riding For Some Of The Most Impressive Views
Horseback riding is a must-have experience for summer tourists. It gives a perfect opportunity to see the Green River Lakes. One can start enjoying their rides from Pinedale through either the Highline Trail or the Lakeside Trail.
Along the way, vacationers are rewarded with some of the most breathtaking views as they spot a variety of the area’s incredible wildlife.
Spend Time Enjoying Watersports In The Lakes Surrounding Pinedale
The best time to enjoy watersports in Pinedale is between mid-May and October. One can choose from a wide range of watersports, including jet-skiing, waterskiing, motor boating, kayaking, and sailing.
- Some of the must-visit lakes in the Wind River Range include Fremont Lake, New Fork Lake, and Half Moon Lake.
Experience Pinedale’s Art & Culture Scene
Being a small town, Pinedale has an interesting art scene and incredible cultural elements that tourists will enjoy exploring. The town hosts exciting festivals and events, some celebrating the local culture, while others giving an insight into the region’s fascinating history.
The River Rendezvous and Wind River Brew Fest are some of the events not to miss in Pinedale.
- Favorite events: The River Rendezvous (features live music food, drinks, and visits to some of Pinedale’s historic places) (takes place in mid-July & Wind River Brew Fest are some of the events not to miss in Pinedale (takes place in September and features regional breweries and live music)
Visit The Iconic Wind River Range For Unforgettable Camping Experience
There are numerous backcountry camping opportunities in the Wind River Range. There are more than two and a half million acres of space to enjoy camping. People interested in RVing can choose from the multiple parks that offer incredible amenities.
Vacationers should note that USFS campground amenities are not the same, which means one should be prepared. Campfires should only be lit in the fire rings designated by various campgrounds.
Travelers should practice Leave No Tracee ethics (Learn why every traveler needs to know about ‘Leave No Trace’) and adhere to the rules of the campgrounds. One should ensure the fauna and flora in a given natural area are well protected throughout their stay.
Where To Stay In Pinedale
Pinedale is not even close to a large town, but it offers incredible accommodation options that visitors can choose from. Whether looking for a cabin, a hotel experience, or a camping option, there are a good number of places to stay in the town.
For hotels, Lakeside Lodge Resort & Marina, Best Western, and Hampton Inn are some of the best to book. For Airbnb, one should go to the website, select Pinedale as the location, and then search.
Pinedale also guarantees amazing boondocking spots for those looking for that accommodation experience.