Located on the south western flank of the mighty Wind River Range, Pinedale sits at the fusion of the desolate Red Desert of southern Wyoming and high alpine forests and crystalline lakes of the Wind River Mountains. Until recently, Pinedale's economy heavily relied on cattle and sheep ranching but within the past decade tourism has become a major player. Pinedale is strategically positioned at the toe of Fremont Lake (the second largest natural lake in Wyoming), features a small ski resort just outside town and is within close proximity to several major Wind River Range trailheads. With its abundance of recreational venues, Pinedale has found popularity with many outdoor minded individuals who are tired of the crowds and general overdevelopment of the Jackson Hole area. Visitors to Pinedale will be pleasantly surprised with its refreshingly small town feel, the unhurried tempo of the locals and majestic setting against the jagged spires of the Wind River Range to the east.
Pinedale is best accessed by automobile may be reached from the southwest via I-80 to the Evanston area and then following US route 189 northward through Daniel. Pinedale can also be reached from the southeast from I-80 via Rock Springs and heading northward on US route 191. Pinedale is a short drive from Jackson, which is a popular route for those who choose to fly and then rent a car, by taking highway 191 eastward through Hoback Junction. Pinedale has a handful of accommodation options and eateries that will work for most visitors to the area. Most travelers through this area are focused on multiple day trips within the Wind River Range and there is an excellent supermarket/department store which takes up an entire city block in downtown Pinedale, featuring just about anything anyone could imagine ever needing for any trip, anywhere.
