Our County

About Sublette County

Sublette County is located in western Wyoming and covers approximately 3.2 million acres, 80% of which is public land. Of the 23 counties in the state, Sublette County ranks sixth in geographical size. The Wind River Range runs north to south along the eastern portion of the county, the Gros Ventre Wilderness lies to the north, and the Wyoming Range runs along the western side. The central portion of the county is a valley comprised of a sagebrush steppe eco-region. Elevation ranges from 6,280 feet in the valley to 13,400 feet in the Wind River Range. The county hosts more than 1,300 lakes.

County Beginnings

Sublette County, the youngest county in Wyoming, was created in 1921. It was named after the fur trapper and explorer William L. Sublette and carved from land that was previously parts of Lincoln and Fremont counties. Long before the county's incorporation, however, the area was important for fur trapping as well as sheep and cattle ranching. The area held a number of historic fur-trading rendezvous between 1824 and 1840 that brought together native populations and some of the West's most famous mountain men and explorers. Permanent populations of cattle and sheep ranchers began to settle the area in the mid- to late-1800s.

Sublette County Today

Geographically isolated from railroads and population centers, the county retained its frontier culture for far longer than many areas of Wyoming and the West, and it remained one of the least densely populated areas in the state until well into the 20th century. Today the county has three incorporated towns, Big Piney, Marbleton, and Pinedale; and has several other smaller community centers, including Bondurant, Cora, Boulder and Daniel.