Green
River Lakes is 52 miles north of Pinedale. The season of
operation is typically June 15 to September 15. There are 39 individual
camp units at this campground, plus three large group areas. Regular
sites are non-reservable, and are first-come, first served. Group
campsites can be reserved in advance online through Recreation.gov,
http://www.recreation.gov/. See the reservation website for this
year's fees, advance reservation
requirements and
cancellation policy. A Campground Host is at the campground during
the summer who can answer questions about the area. This campground
gets high use, but is typically never completely full up. There
are regular pull-in sites for small cars, plus pull-through sites
for RVs. There are no constructed pads for tents, but cleared areas
are located near each unit and picnic table. Each unit also has
a firepit. Water spigots are dispersed throughout the campground
and shared between units. No showers at any of the campgrounds
on the BTNF.
Features:
- Elevation:
8,000 feet
- Managing
Agency: USFS, Pinedale Ranger District
- Average
Season: June 15-September 15
- Campground
Host: Present
- Daily
Camping Fee
- Reservable
Sites: No for campground, Yes for group areas
- Miles
from Pinedale: 52
- Number
of Sites 39
- Day
Limit: 10 days
- Drinking
Water: Yes
- Trash
Pick-up: No
- Picnic
Tables: Yes
- Toilet:
Yes, handicap accessible
- Showers:
No
- Cell
Phone Reception: Marginal to None (drive down road to get reception)
- Services
Nearby: Guest Ranches; Get needed food, gas, other supplies in
Pinedale
- Near
Trailhead: Yes, access to northern Bridger Wilderness & Wind
River Range
- Near
Lake or Stream: Yes, Green River and Green River Lakes
- Boat
Launch: Yes, primitive, for canoes and small craft (see photo
at right)
- Boat
Ramp: Primitive small boat launch
- Bear-Proof
Containers: At some campsites. This is Griz & Black Bear habitat.
- Trailhead:
Yes, with corrals, trailhead parking, horse trailer parking
- Group
Sites Available: Yes, 3 fee Reservable Sites. To reserve, call
1-877-444-6777 (toll free) or online at http://www.recreation.gov/.
- Other
comments: Biting bugs (mosquitos and flies) can be extreme in
July/August. Bring bug spray or your favorite repellant method.
Sunscreen highly recommended also.
Once
the campground closes in the fall, water is turned off and services
are suspended. No Campground Host is on duty after the summer season.
Visitors can still stay in the campground after the summer season,
but must provide their own water. Restrooms remain open. No fee
is charged once services is suspended.
Reservations
must be made at least 4 days in advance. There is no electricity/water/sewer
site hook-ups at this campground.
ATV's or ORV's allowed on designated trails only.
Water faucets are available at various locations in the campground.
Parking vehicles or campers on any portion of the campground roadways
is not allowed. Please park vehicles and campers completely within
the parking pad provided at each site. All equipment must fit on
the site pad. Vehicles park in developed areas only. No extra vehicles
are allowed.
Nearby:
Access
The
first road portion is paved highway. The
last
23
miles are
gravel
and
slow speeds are necessary. The road typically opens sometime
in
June after the snow melts and the roadbed dries out and firms
up. The Campground is typically open mid-June to mid-September.
In drier years, the campground may open as early as the beginning
of June. Access depends on
weather conditions
for the road and campground/trailhead/boat launch area. The
nearest full-service community is Pinedale, 52 miles south of the
campground. The Pinedale Ranger District recommends calling them
for current conditions
at 307-367-4326.
Maps and information
are available at sporting goods stores in Pinedale.
Dispersed
Camping
For
those who enjoyo 'roughing it', there are many areas for dispersed
camping in the area along the Green River Lakes road. Many places already
have fire rings and cleared areas for campfires for those prepared
and equipped to dry camp. Campers are encouraged to use existing dispersed
spots to have less of an impact on the landscape. Campfires are allowed
in these locations as long as campfire restrictions are not in effect
due to high fire danger. Campers are responsible for keeping their
campfires under control at all times. There are also limits to the
number of days visitors can occupy a campsite, so check with the nearest
Forest Service office to discuss your plans for extended stays. Dispersed
camping site soperate on the "Pack it in, pack it out" system
since trash services are not offered in those locations. Bring your
own drinking water or use approved purification techniques before drinking
any water from area streams or lakes. Consider all open bodies of surface
water to be infected with the giardia micro-organism which can make
you very ill if you drink the water without treating it first.
Boating
Motorized boats are allowed on the lower lake, however, the earthen
boat ramp is suitable only for smaller vessels. The upper lake is
within the Bridger Wilderness area (Upper Green River Lake), therefore
no motorized
boats of any kind are allowed on the upper lake. Jet skis and other
personal watercraft are not allowed.
Bears
Both grizzly bears and black bears inhabit the mountains and
forests around Green River Lakes. It is not unheard of to have
a bear come into a developed campground,
but it is not common. Green River Lakes Campground has bear proof storage
containers or storage poles at some sites. It is important for
campers to be "bear
aware" and keep a clean camp at all times. The Upper Green River Lakes area
is designated Grizzly Bear Habitat and food storage regulations are in effect.
Food and garbage are required to be stored where it is impossible for a bear
to reach, such as in a closed vehicle. Local Forest Service offices have pamphlets
and information handouts on how to camp in bear country.
Pets
Pets must be kept under control at all times. It is the obligation of
dog owners to keep their pet under control at all times to avoid injury
to horses, riders,
hikers and other forest visitors. Dog owners are asked to be considerate
of others and not leave pet waste on trails or in campsites.
Trailhead
Access & Corrals for stock
This
is a high hiking use area. Users will encounter hikers on foot
as well as stock animals including horses, mules and llamas. The
popular Highline Trail begins here and follows most of the length
of the Wind River
Range,
80 miles to the south. This trail typically isn't free of snow
until July and August. In the early season, hikers should be prepared
to encounter high water crossings, muddy trail conditions
and tree
downfall.
Note that this is designated grizzly bear habitat and food storage regulations
apply for both the campground and backcountry users.
There is a large parking area for wilderness travelers
at the trailhead, including toilet, water, corrals and hitch rails.
Other
Considerations:
ELEVATION: This is HIGH
ELEVATION RECREATION, and your physical performance may
be affected if you are not acclimated. Be sure to take it easy
and drink extra FLUIDS. If you do start
to notice shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches or dizziness,
get to a lower elevation as quickly as possible. Please be aware
that natural water sources may contain Giardia lamblia or other
bacteria. A fine filter (0.2 microns or less) is recommended
for all water you use. Water from campground hydrants is regularly
tested by the Wyoming State Health Department.
WEATHER: It
can SNOW any
day of the year in Pinedale! Visitors at any time of the year
should come prepared for cold weather. Afternoon thunderstorms
and rain showers are common in the summer and can build quickly.
While summer days may be warm, nights are generally cool. Bring
warm clothing. Also, bring and use SUNSCREEN.
At
this high elevation sunlight is more intense than you may be used
to and serious sunburns can happen quite quickly.
TRIP ITINERARIES: If
you wish to file your trip itinerary with someone, contact the Sublette
County Sheriff's Office at 307-367-4378,
rather than the Pinedale Ranger District. Forms are available at
the Ranger District office. In emergencies, or for Search & Rescue,
call the Sheriff's Office 24 hours a day.
| Note: Some
maps still show that there is a lodge at Green River Lakes
Campground. This lodge is no longer in business
and is used only as a work center base camp for Forest Service
employees and the Campground Host. There are NO COMMERCIAL
LODGING OR RESTAURANT SERVICES available at the end of this
road. The
only developed
facilities
are the Forest Service campground. The closest lodge accommodations
and restaurant services are approximately 20 miles from the
campground and lakes, on private land before the National
Forest boundary. |
Businesses & Services
Bridger-Teton
National Forest
Pinedale Ranger District
29 E. Fremont Lake Road
PO Box 220
Pinedale, WY 82941
(307) 367-4326
Sublette
County Visitor Center
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 176
Pinedale, WY 82941
307-367-2242
888-285-7282 (Toll Free)
Email: info@mountainmancountry.com
www.MountainManCountry.com
