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Green River Lakes, Square Top and White Rock Mountain

Green River Lakes Campground & Trailhead

USFS Campground
With services from
June 15 to September 15
Green River Lakes Campground is
OPEN!

Campground will open July 1, 2005

Trail Information
More Photos

Green River Lakes
Bridger-Teton National Forest
USFS National Forest Recreation Site - Typically open June 15 to September 10

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:

  • Bike Riding
  • Boat Launch Ramp
  • Boating (1/2 Mile)
  • Fishing (1/2 Mile)
  • Garbage Service (Dumpsters 10 Miles away at Kendall Ranger Station)
  • Hiking Trails (1/2 Mile)
  • Horseback Riding (1/2 Mile)
  • Mountain Biking (1/2 Mile)
  • Photography
  • Sightseeing
  • Stream (1/2 Mile)
  • Swimming (1/2 Mile)
  • Wildlife Viewing

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

C=Camping, P=Picnicking, B=Boating, BL=Boat Launching
DW=Drinking Water, F=Fishing, H=Hunting, S=Swimming, T=Trailers
PC=Public Corrals, WA=Wilderness Access

Some campground units can be reserved in advance through ReserveUSA, www.ReserveUSA.com

Recreation Area

 

Services Elevation Miles from nearest town Days Limit # of Units
/Fees
Other Info
Green River Lakes & Group Sites

 

USFS

C, P, DW, BL, T, F, H, S, B, PC
WA

8,000'

52 miles to Pinedale

Road part paved part gravel

10 day limit

39 Units

Fee campground


3 Group Sites

Fee campground

Note that there are not services nearby. Get gas, water, snacks, bug spray, bait, other necessities in town. Have a good spare tire in your vehicle. Cell phone reception is marginal in campground.

Only group sites are reservable. Rest are first-come, first served. Advance reservations can be made through Recreation.gov. Road opens mid to late June

Green River Lakes

Upper Green River

BLM

C, P, F, H, S, B

7,600'

30 miles to Pinedale

14 day limit

12 units/
free

Steep grades
Whiskey Grove


USFS
Season typically June 15-September 15

C, DW, T, F, H

7,600'

36 miles to Pinedale

Road part paved and part gravel

10 day limit

10 Units

Fee campground

On the way to Green River Lakes. Smaller campground with adjacent Green River fishing access. In a grove of trees, some campspots right by the river. Less crowded, good for overflow if Green River Lakes is too crowded for your tastes.

Whiskey Grove campground

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