Bridger National Forest, National forest in Wyoming, US

Bridger National Forest covers 1,736,075 acres in western Wyoming, about 51 percent of the combined Bridger-Teton National Forest, and includes the designated Bridger Wilderness. Its lands lie mainly in Sublette, Lincoln, Fremont and Teton counties, with ranger district offices in Afton, Big Piney, Kemmerer and Pinedale. It was first established on July 1, 1911, from part of Bonneville National Forest.

The Bridger National Forest was established by the U.S. Forest Service on July 1, 1911, with 577,580 acres taken from Bonneville National Forest. In 1923 it was transferred to Wyoming National Forest and the name discontinued; Wyoming was renamed Bridger in 1943. In 1973 it was administratively combined with Teton National Forest to form Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Bridger National Forest is named after Jim Bridger, the fur trader and scout who travelled widely through the Wyoming wilderness in the 1800s. Its ranger district offices are in Afton, Big Piney, Kemmerer and Pinedale, while administrative headquarters sit in Jackson as part of the combined Bridger-Teton National Forest. The forest contains all of the officially designated Bridger Wilderness.

The forest is open year-round, but some mountain roads close in winter or during construction work, so checking conditions before heading out is a good idea. The Jackson Forest Service office can answer questions about trails, camping spots, and current restrictions.

The forest's name honors Jim Bridger, the fur trader and scout who roamed this Wyoming country in the 1800s. Its administrative headquarters sit in Jackson, and ranger district offices operate in Afton, Big Piney, Kemmerer and Pinedale. The Bridger Wilderness, an officially designated part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, lies entirely within the forest.