The Wind River Range is one of the great backcountry wilderness areas in the continental United States — a 160-kilometre wall of granite peaks, high-altitude lakes, and glaciers that sees a fraction of the traffic of better-known parks like Yellowstone or Glacier. Pinedale is the western gateway, with several trailheads leading into the Bridger Wilderness accessible within an hour.
The range is known for its multi-day backpacking routes, its fishing (the high lakes contain native cutthroat trout), and the sheer scale of the granite scenery. The most accessible areas from Pinedale include the Big Sandy Lake region and the network of lakes along the upper Green River. Outfitters in town offer guided trips and horse packing into the backcountry.