Lonesome Highway — Finger Lakes Upland to Big Piney via the Wyoming Range Back Road
Wyoming's loneliest range, wide open and yours.
The Wyoming Range is one of the least-visited mountain chains in a state that already doesn’t see enough visitors, and the back road threading north from Big Piney through the Bridger-Teton into the upper Hoback drainage captures that solitude completely. You leave the sage flats of Sublette County, gain elevation through dense lodgepole and aspen, crest the Wyoming Range near the 8,800-foot contour, and drop into drainages that feed the Hoback River. The road passes through Commissary Ridge — a broad, open divide with sweeping views east to the Wind Rivers and west toward the Salt River Range — where elk hunting camps cluster in September. Dispersed camping is everywhere up here, and you can go days without seeing another rig.
The surface is graded gravel and two-track that holds up well in dry conditions but can get nasty after thunderstorms — this is real clay country. Stock 4WD with good clearance handles it comfortably in summer. The Bridger-Teton National Forest manages this corridor; no permits required. Fuel in Big Piney or Pinedale — both are a real drive from the high country, so top off. Water is available from several small creeks but treat everything. July through early October is the sweet spot before early snows close the upper roads. This is a legitimate alternative to US-189 for anyone connecting the Green River Valley to Jackson Hole without the traffic.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 74 mi / 119.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8840 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Big Piney, WY |
| Land manager | Bridger-Teton National Forest, USFS |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Bridger-Teton NF Official Site BTNF Wyoming Range Recreation |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD with decent clearance (8+ inches) can run this route. The dirt and gravel surface stays manageable in dry conditions, but ruts and soft sections after rain will challenge low-clearance rigs. Skid plates are a plus.
When does this route typically open in spring and is it passable in October?
The Wyoming Range holds snow late — expect the route to be sketchy or impassable before late June most years. October is usually fine early in the month, but the first hard freeze can make the high sections slick fast. July through September is the reliable window.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on this route?
No permit required to drive the route. Dispersed camping is allowed under standard Bridger-Teton National Forest rules — 14-day limit, 150 feet from water and roads. No fees, no reservations.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The route earns its moderate rating mostly through exposure and remoteness, not technical obstacles. The steeper ridge crossings can get greasy in wet conditions and the ruts in the lodgepole sections get punchy after summer storms. Nothing that demands lockers, but one bad soft spot in the wrong weather could stop you.
There's zero cell service on this route — how far is it to fuel and how should I plan for that?
Big Piney is your best fuel stop on the south end; fill up there before heading north. The full 74-mile route plus any detours means you want at least 150 miles of range before you start, more if you're running a thirsty rig. Carry a recovery kit — the nearest help is a long walk in any direction.
Trail track
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