Gunsight Pass Road — Wind River Range Wilderness Backdoor via Big Sandy Desert and Lander Cutoff
Oregon Trail grit meets Wind River granite.
The Lander Cutoff of the Oregon Trail crossed this country in the 1850s because it was shorter and more brutal than the standard route — that tension between efficiency and punishment still defines the drive today. Out of Pinedale you track south and east on Wyoming 353 before the pavement quits and the two-track winds into the Big Sandy drainage, threading sagebrush desert toward the glacier-carved granite walls of the Winds. Big Sandy Lodge sits at the end of the maintained road; beyond that, the track to the Bridger Wilderness boundary is rutted, rocky, and narrow. Gunsight Butte is the landmark — once you have it in your windshield you’re in Wind River country proper, with 13,000-foot peaks reflected in lakes that most people only reach on foot.
Difficulty is Moderate with pockets of Difficult near the upper drainage crossings after snowmelt. High-clearance 4WD is sufficient for most of the route; the final push to the wilderness boundary requires low-range and a willingness to get wet at two creek crossings that run hard into July. No permit required to drive — wilderness permits apply if you’re hiking in. Fuel in Pinedale before you leave. Best season is mid-July through September. Cell service dies at the pavement end. What you get is the Wind Rivers without the crowds — the trailheads at Big Sandy are busy but the drive in earns you a camp spot with a view that costs real money in Moab.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Pinedale, Wyoming |
| Land manager | USDA Forest Service — Bridger-Teton National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Big Sandy Trailhead Bridger-Teton NF |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Gunsight Pass Road, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but ground clearance matters more than lift here — rocky two-track sections and embedded stone near the pass can hang up anything with low-hanging skid plates or stock bumpers. Lockers or good all-terrain tires are a real advantage, not a luxury, on the upper sections.
When does the road to Big Sandy actually open, and can you get through in June?
July through September is the reliable window — snowmelt at 9,100 feet keeps the upper road soft and impassable well into June most years. A warm, dry year might open it late June, but expect mud, wet crossings, and a real chance of getting stuck if you push it before July 4th.
Do you need a permit to drive Gunsight Pass Road or camp out there?
No permit is required to drive the route or use dispersed campsites on Bridger-Teton National Forest land — it's managed by the USFS and stays free. The Big Sandy Trailhead has a self-issue wilderness permit if you're hiking in, but that's separate from vehicle travel and overnight camping along the road corridor.
What's the hardest part of the route and what should I actually be ready for?
The climb toward Gunsight Pass is where it gets honest — loose rock, embedded boulders, and a shelf road that punishes wide rigs and low-clearance vehicles. The desert approach looks easy and mostly is, but the elevation gain in the final miles to 9,100 feet is where mechanical stress and driver attention both spike.
Are there any reliable water sources along the route, or should I carry everything from Pinedale?
Water crossings exist on the route and the Wind River Range drains heavily into this corridor, so streams are present — but treat everything, no exceptions, as livestock and wildlife use is heavy in this drainage. Top off in Pinedale before you leave; there's zero resupply and no cell service for the entire 68 miles.
Trail track
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