Bridger Wilderness

Bridger Wilderness is a protected mountainous expanse of over 428,000 acres in the Wind River Range, featuring deep valleys, high alpine lakes, and snow-capped peaks. The terrain ranges from coniferous forest at lower elevations to bare rock and tundra above 13,000 feet (3,962 m).

The area was first protected in 1931 as a primitive preserve, then formally designated as wilderness in 1964. An expansion in 1984 extended protection to additional land and increased the total protected acreage.

The name honors Jim Bridger, a fur trader and mountain guide who explored these peaks and passes during the 1800s. Visitors walk the same high routes that once connected remote trading posts across the range.

Visitors need permits for backcountry camping and fishing, while motorized vehicles and bicycles are banned throughout the area. Summer months from July through September offer the best conditions for hiking, as high passes are most accessible.

This wilderness contains the largest glaciers found within Bridger-Teton National Forest, remnants of the last ice age that continue to recede. These frozen expanses offer a glimpse into the region's geological past and ongoing climate shifts.

Location: Sublette County

Location: Fremont County

Inception: September 3, 1964

GPS coordinates: 43.17190,-109.67400

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47