This Lesser-known Wyoming Town Is an Affordable Alternative to Jackson Hole—and It's Surrounded by 1,300 Alpine Lakes

Key Points

Pinedale is a small Wyoming town known for its access to 1,300 glacial lakes, biking trails, and surrounding mountain ranges.

Visitors can enjoy year-round outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and skijoring, as well as cultural events like the Winter Carnival.

Affordable lodging, local dining spots, and small-town vibes make Pinedale a charming alternative to Jackson Hole.

No matter what your Instagram or TikTok For You pages may tell you, there’s more to Wyoming than Jackson Hole. The Tetons aren’t the only mountains to climb, and Jenny Lake isn’t the only glacial body of water to jump in after a long hike or day of wildlife viewing. Pinedale, Wyoming, is the perfect example.

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Located just over an hour from Jackson, Wyoming, (and the newly opened Sylvan Lodge at Snake River Sporting Club) this 2,022-person town is located at the base of the Wind River Range, the Wyoming Mountain Range, and the Gros Ven­tre Moun­tains, making it a hub for outdoor adventure.

“Pinedale is a Western town that has not lost its small-town appeal. [It’s] surrounded by three mountain ranges and has something for everyone from trails to hike to hunting, fishing, or just enjoying an art show or concert at the local library,” Kaddy Fyfe-Shivers, the director of Main Street Pinedale, tells Travel + Leisure. “We enjoy all four seasons to the fullest in Pinedale and have activities for all of them.”

Here's what you need to know before planning a trip to Pinedale, Wyoming.

Best Things to Do

Visit Wyoming

Street signs in Pinedale, Wyoming.

While Pinedale has an impressive range of things to do, it’s best known for its biking trails (mountain, road, gravel, and fat biking are all possibilities) and its water-based activities. If you’re interested in the former, start your journey at Geared Up in downtown Pinedale, where the team offers rentals as well as repair services and gear for purchase. You’ll then have all sorts of options that you can take your two wheels for a spin—from the paved pathways around town to the 14-mile-long Fremont Lake Road.

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If swimming, boating, or fishing are more up your alley, plan your trip between mid-May and early October. This time of year allows visitors to explore the 1,300 lakes within a 30-mile drive of Pinedale. One of the most-visited bodies of water is Fre­mont Lake, the second-largest natural lake in the Cowboy State. Less than four miles from Pinedale, the glacial lake is around 12 miles long and just a half mile wide, and it hosts a number of recreational activities, including water skiing, fishing, swimming, and sailing. Have time to check out two more lakes during your visit? Add Half Moon Lake and the Green Riv­er Lakes to your itinerary.

Fyfe-Shivers also recommends planning your trip around the Winter Carnival—where you’ll get to see skijoring (a famous Western sport that involves a person on skis being pulled by a horse, dog, or vehicle)—and the Green River Rendezvous in July. The latter honors the explorers who made their way out West in the 1800s. For even more Pinedale history, stop by the Muse­um of the Moun­tain Man, open every day from May through October and by appointment in the off-season.

No matter when you’re visiting or what your Pinedale game plan entails, be sure to keep sustainable, respectful travel practices in mind. “Tourists need to remember to clean up after themselves and not feed the animals. They visit, but this is our home,” Fyfe-Shivers says.

Where to Eat and Drink

Cody Hamilton

Brewing coffee at Pine Coffee Supply.

Fyfe-Shivers has a couple of favorite places to fuel up before a day of activities. She recommends The Grazing Goat for the “best pizza in Sublette County,” and Los Cabos for its “nice selection of Mexican food and portion size.” For more of a Western vibe, go for the Wrangler Cafe, Stockman’s Saloon & Steakhouse, or the Corral Bar & Grill. On the drinks side of things, Pine Coffee Supply provides a caffeine fix, and Wind River Brewing Company serves up the perfect post-bike ride or paddle refreshments.

Where to Stay

Cozy Cabins

Guest bedroom at Pinedale Cozy Cabins.

Pinedale doesn’t quite have the caliber of luxury hotels you’d find in Jackson Hole, but that’s part of its charm—and its affordability. Fyfe-Shivers recommends the Pinedale Hotel (nightly rates start at $94 per night). For those who want lakefront views and easy access to water, check out Lakeside Lodge, where the nightly rate starts around $85. In town, Pinedale Cozy Cabins—with its two-bedroom cabins that come with living rooms and kitchens—or The Log Cabin Motel are great family-friendly options, and rates start at $358 and $65, respectively.

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