High Desert adventure awaits you in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Come discover how sweet it is to reconnect with yourself, your family and nature. Located in the southwest corner of Wyoming, Sweetwater County offers pristine views, exciting outdoor adventure and endless activities to discover.
View majestic wild Mustangs in beautiful open spaces. Traverse the rugged unspoiled terrain where T-Rex once hunted. Float down the breathtaking Green River, leading to Lake Flaming Gorge. Go back in time with Indian Petroglyphs. Ride across Killpecker Sand Dunes that reach 100 feet high and over 100 miles long.
Sweetwater is home to 10,500 square miles of pure, high desert adventure. You’ll find something for everyone, from hiking, biking, fishing and golfing to sightseeing, hunting dinosaurs, shopping, or just plain getting away from it all.
Sweetwater County is the perfect place to explore American history. Petroglyphs on White Mountain preserve the pictorial language of the prehistoric people from our region. Also, still carved into the earth are the wagon wheel ruts of the pioneer trails. Find out much more about the rich history and unforgettable treasurers left behind.
Located at the intersection of interstate 80 and Highway 191, Sweetwater County is the perfect place to stop on your way to National Park or the ideal location to make your own unforgettable vacation.
Come discover the beauty and adventure of Sweetwater County.
Outdoor Recreation
As you drive across Southwestern Wyoming, you will more than likely see antelope, deer, and occasionally, elk. All of these animals graze on the grasses and sage you see throughout the area. But these are not the only animals you are likely to see. If you turn off the Interstate onto one of the less-traveled roads and pull over, alongside the road you will see a region teeming with life.
Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Located south of Rock Springs and Green River and into Utah is the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. There are 90 miles of lakes and 375 miles of shoreline, ranging from flat and welcoming to rough and foreboding. Some of the peaks reach up to 1,500 feet high and feature colorful rock formations and ancient Indian petroglyphs and fossils.
Fontenelle Reservoir
Fontenelle Reservoir is located on the Green River 24 miles southeast of La Barge, Wyoming. The reservoir has a surface area of 8,000 acres. The lake is 20 miles long when full and has a shoreline of about 56 miles. The reservoir is situated north of Kemmerer, Wyoming, at a 6,500-foot elevation. Recreation use is low and seasonal. Fish species include rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. Fontenelle Creek campground has developed campsites with restrooms and running water. Three other campsites below the dam are more primitive. Stream fishing opportunities exist on the Green River above and below the reservoir.
The Green River
The Green River starts high in the Wind River Mountains and flows south on its way to meet the Colorado River, eventually flowing through the Grand Canyon. In Wyoming, the Green River is a popular recreational site offering recreational opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, camping and hiking.
Killpecker Sand Dunes
This is one of the largest active sand dunes in North America today and ranges up to 150 feet high. The dunes constantly change, as the wind blows eastward. The name comes from Killpecker Creek, names by the U.S. Calvary in the 1860's because of the mineral-rich water. This area is comprised of two wilderness study areas, one of which is open to ORV use. If you want to hike and explore the dunes areas on foot, all the dunes east of Killpecker, stretching out across the Great Divide Basin, are open to low impact recreation, and dispersed camping.
Wild Horse Viewing
Southwest Wyoming is home to well over 1,600 wild horses. Spring and early summer are particularly good times to watch wild horses because of the young foals. Wobbly-looking on their long legs, the young horses grow up strong enough to survive a tough country and can run like the wind. The most accessible horse herd for public viewing is the White Mountain herd on the west side of US Highway 191, and on the Tri-Territory Loop Road - both north of Rock Springs. The herd area includes more than 500 square miles, running from I-80 north to the Big Sandy River, and from the Green River east to US Highway 191. It's dry, rough-looking country, but looks can be deceptive. In addition to elk, mule deer, and antelope, the herd area is managed for 250 wild horses, but often hosts many more.
City Life
Sweetwater County has some great communities - communities with heart. You'll find amenities you might only expect in larger cities. Explore our wonderful museums and first class recreational facilities or just relax at a movie. You might also enjoy shopping at our major national retail chains and some terrific boutiques with local flavor.
Area History
Sweetwater County is the perfect place to explore American history. Petroglyphs on White Mountain preserve the pictorial language of the prehistoric people from our region. Also, still carved into the earth are the wagon wheel ruts of the pioneer trails. Highway 28 parallels the Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, Pony Express and California National Historic Trails. There are some of the finest trail remains in the United States. There are over 100 miles of pioneer trail ruts in Sweetwater County that remain as they were over 150 years ago.
Events
Explore an array of activities and events that offer such abundance of possibilities that every adventurer will take home cherished memories. So, whether you are interested in experiencing the cowboy culture, viewing desert sunsets, mountain climbing and biking, hunting or fishing - all of this and more is waiting for you in Sweetwater County, Wyoming! Click here to check out more information on Sweetwater County.
