Pinedale, Wyoming is the county seat of Sublette County. The town has a population of approximately 1,500; the population of the entire county is only 7,000. Sublette County covers 4,883 square miles, 80 percent of which is public land. Pinedale is about 100 miles from Rock Springs and 78 miles from Jackson Hole and is situated on Highway 191. Pinedale has an elevation of 7,175 feet and lies in the Wind River Mountain Range.
Between early December and the middle of April, snowmobilers can access trails such as the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail directly from the town. Visitors can rent equipment, including trailers, in Pinedale. The town's snowmobile club, the Pinedale Snow Explorers, hosts events such as the One Lunger Snowmachine Race, held each February, and a Ladies' Ride each spring. The White Pine Ski Area lies approximately 10 miles from Pinedale, and offers both downhill and cross-country skiing. Snow conditions determine the season, but it typically runs from Thanksgiving until Easter. Ice fishing on nearby Half Moon and Fremont Lakes normally begins in late December and lasts until the middle of March. The Pinedale Boat Club sponsors an annual two-day event, normally in early March, called the Big Fish Ice Fishing Derby. Ice skating, sledding and hockey games are also available during the winter.
With 1.2 people per square mile, two wilderness areas and 1,300 mountain lakes, the terrain around Pinedale offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities. Nearby Fremont, Half Moon, Boulder, Green River and Willow Lakes are open for boating activities, such as sailing, canoeing and skiing. In Sublette County, 20 public campgrounds are managed by the Bureau of Land Management or the Forest Service. Hiking, mountain biking, golf, rock climbing, hunting, swimming, picnicking and fishing are also possible activities.
Early July brings the Sublette County Fair, along with a children's competition, the Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo. The regular rodeo season begins in the middle of June and runs until early September. The Green River Rendezvous is a reenactment held on the second weekend of each July to commemorate the early 19th century meetings where mountain men, traders and local Native Americans traded furs, swapped tales and celebrated. Each February, Pinedale hosts the Wyoming Senior Winter Games, where athletes aged 50 and up compete in hockey, skiing, snowshoeing and other events. The Pinedale Fine Arts Council offers live performances, workshops and art shows on a variable schedule.
Tourists can choose from a variety of accommodations. Chain hotels offer all of the modern amenities, while lodges offer rustic cabins and rooms in remote locations. Several working ranches in the area open their doors to guests, offering cabin rentals as well as events such as cattle drives and round-ups. Historic bed and breakfast establishments, recreational vehicle parks and family-owned motels are also available.
