Cottonwood Creek Local photographer Dave Bell has many photos of the area scenery. Click on this link to see his pictures: Dave Bell Photo Gallery Photo by Dave Bell.

Celebration of Life for Kip Walton Aug. 14 (posted 8/11/2020)
A Celebration of Life for Kip Walton will be held on Friday, August 14 at 6:30PM at the Deanne Bradley State at the Sublette County Fairgrounds. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kip Donation Fund or Kickin’ Cancer in his name.

Project begins to document historic buildings in Big Piney and Marbleton (posted 8/3/2020)
The Sublette County Historic Preservation Board/Certified Local Government is beginning a survey project to document historic buildings in Big Piney and Marbleton. This is being done as one of the many Centennial projects over the next three years to highlight Sublette County history and shared heritage.

The Big Piney/Marbleton historic buildings survey will focus on all remaining buildings in the two towns that were constructed before 1940. This will help document the development of the two communities, identify any unique architecture, and provide a record of historic buildings before more are lost.

The landowners of the historic buildings will receive a letter in the mail soon requesting permission to allow researchers to visit and document the historic buildings on their property. The support of landowners is critical to documenting local area heritage. This is only a documentation project and in no way changes or hinders landowner’s property rights. Researchers will notify landowners before visiting their property.

Onsite recordation will focus on the outside of buildings, documenting and taking pictures of architectural features. Landowners will receive a copy of the site form with the information about the history of the buildings on their property.

The Historic Preservation Board-CLG is a government board appointed by the Sublette County Commissioners. Volunteer board members serve two-year terms. Funding for this project has been provided by the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office and Sublette County. There will be no cost to the landowners.

For more information or any questions, contact any of the members of the Preservation Board, http://www.sublettewyo.com/200/Certified-Local-Government-CLG.

For more information on the Board, please visit www.sublette.com/preservation.

3D Mobile Mammography Van coming in September (posted 7/29/2020)
Sublette County Rural Health Care District and Portneuf Health Partners will present the 3D Mobile Mammography Van coming to Pinedale and Big Piney in September.

The Van will be in Pinedale at the Pinedale Medical Clinic parking lot from 8AM to 5PM on Monday, September 28th.

The Van will be in Marbleton at the Clinic parking lot on Tuesday, September 29th from 8AM to 1PM.

Call to schedule an appointment.
Pinedale: 307-367-4133
Marbleton: 307-276-3306

Bring your insurance card and photo ID the day of your appointment.

Special Hospital District Q&A Sessions (posted 7/29/2020)
The Sublette County Joint Planning Committee will host several Q&A Sessions on the Special Hospital District ahead of the upcoming November 3rd election.

The Hospital District involves the merger of the Sublette County Rural Health Care District, a government entity, and the Sublette Center, a private non-profit organization, to create a new Hospital District which would then be the governing entity, with an elected board of trustees, for operation of the two clinics and ambulance services for health care in Sublette County. The Hospital District would operate the new combined long-term care center facility ($18 million) and Critical Access Hospital ($29 million), the Marbleton Clinic, and ambulance services for Sublette County.

The vote will include the allocation of an additional 1 mill levy for the Hospital District. The amounts to approximately $20/year for a $200,000 home. The Special Hospital District must be approved by the voters at the November 3rd election for construction of the Critical Access Hospital to move forward. The CAH will allow the Hospital District to receive 100% Medicaid reimbursement instead of the 60% they get now under the Clinic model. Sublette County has approved up to $20 million to build the long-term care facility. The County and Town of Pinedale are putting in an additional $3 million to help pay for relocation of the ball fields to the west end of town.

Q&A Sessions will be:
Wednesday, July 29: 1:00PM, Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Center in Marbleton

Tuesday, August 11: 5:30PM at the Boulder Community Center
Tuesday, August 18: Noon, Big Piney Post Office Park
Wednesday, August 19: 5:30PM, Pinedale Library
Thursday, August 27: 5:30PM, Daniel Schoolhouse

Wednesday, September 9: 12:30PM, Rendezvous Pointe
Wednesday, September 16: 1:00PM, Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Center in Marbleton

Scan Week at the Green River Valley Museum (posted 7/28/2020)
Bring in your historical documents and photos to be scanned
The Green River Valley Museum in Big Piney is holding scan week July 27-31st. This is an opportunity to preserve and celebrate your historical documents and photographs by bringing them to the Museum to be scanned on their professional-grade archival scanner.

Once completed, the new scans will be returned to you either on a CD or on a digital storage device that you've provided. This scanning process is totally free of charge. It's all in the interest of preserving and celebrating local history.

For more information, contact the Green River Valley Museum at 307-276-5343, email director@grvm.com or see their website at www.grvm.com

Firewood cutting areas available on the Big Piney Ranger District (posted 7/21/2020)
Bridger-Teton National Forest
BIG PINEY, WYOMING – The Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest has opened additional firewood cutting areas in Snyder Basin. The three additional areas are along Spring Creek Road #10139, behind the gate along South Beaver Creek #10121, and behind the gate toward Marge’s Delight off road #10046.

These areas are open from now until August 15, 2020.

All Bridger-Teton National Forest rules, regulations and policies apply to these additional areas. All wood cutting must be within 300-feet of open roads and cut to (at maximum) 8-foot lengths. Contact the Big Piney Ranger District for information about mechanical permits.

For additional questions contact the Big Piney Ranger District at 307-276-5800.

Click on the links below for maps of the three additional firewood cutting areas.
Marges Delight Firewood Map
South Beaver Firewood Map
Synder Basin Firewood Map

Wyoming has 5 cases of Colorado tick fever (posted 7/16/2020)
4 in Sublette County
Wyoming Department of Health
The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is alerting state residents of a recent increase in reported Colorado tick fever cases.

Five cases of Colorado tick fever have been identified in Wyoming so far this year, with four in Sublette County and one in Park County. WDH typically sees an average of two cases annually with no reported cases in some years.

Courtney Tillman, an infectious disease epidemiologist with WDH, said Colorado tick fever spreads to people through bites of infected Rocky Mountain wood ticks.

The best way to prevent Colorado tick fever is to avoid tick bites. Recommended actions include:
- Use insect repellent, such as DEET, when outdoors
- Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors
- Treat outdoor clothing, such as hiking clothing, with permethrin
- Avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass
- Do tick checks after spending time outdoors
- Apply pesticides outdoors to reduce ticks in yards
- Clear brush, tall grass, and leaf litter from yards to reduce the number of ticks
- Prevent tick bites for pets by using prevention products recommended by veterinarians and performing tick checks after spending time outdoors

"If you find a tick embedded on yourself or your pet, do not jerk or twist the tick to remove it," Tillman said. "Instead, use fine-tipped tweezers to grab the tick as close to the surface as possible and steadily pull the tick upward. You’ll also want to clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water." Tillman also advises disposing of ticks by putting in alcohol, placing in sealed containers, wrapping in tape or flushing down the toilet.

Symptoms develop 1-14 days after the bite and may include fever, chills, headache, body aches and feeling tired. Some people may experience a "biphasic" fever in which they have fever for a few days, feel better for several days, and then have another period of fever. While symptoms can last for several weeks, most people do not experience severe illness. There is no specific treatment for Colorado tick fever.

Tillman encouraged anyone concerned they may have Colorado tick fever to contact a healthcare provider. Many of the symptoms are shared by other illnesses, including COVID-19, so discussing potential exposure to ticks with medical professionals is recommended.

Fire Danger raised to HIGH (posted 7/16/2020)
The fire danger rating has been elevated to High for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, the National Elk Refuge, and remaining portions of the Teton Interagency Dispatch area. The potential for fire activity has increased due to summer curing of vegetation combined with hot temperatures and dry, windy conditions.

There are currently no fire restrictions in place. There are no active wildland fires in the parks or on Bridger-Teton National Forest land. All campfires must be cold to the touch before being left.

Visit the Teton Interagency Fire web site at TetonFires.com to learn what fire regulations may be in place. To report a fire or smoke in the immediate area, call the Teton Interagency Fire Dispatch Center at 307-739-3630.

Middle Piney Dam and Road Closure (posted 7/11/18)
Middle Piney Lake access will be closed for three summers for dam reconstruction
PUBLIC NOTICE: Forest Road #10024 heading to Middle Piney Reservoir is now closed above Sacagawea Campground for the next three summers while the dam is being reconstructed. There will be heavy equipment up and down that road. Due to a safety concern for both the public as well as the construction crew, the road will be closed to all traffic during the summer season (including on foot).

The back side of the lake will still be open to the public, but know that it is going to be a long hike OFF-ROAD AND OFF-TRAIL, and there will be NO MOTORIZED access.

According to the Wyoming Water Development Office, the dam is in need of reconstruction due to its high risk of failure. The State is also funding the reconstruction project.

Construction is going to take the shoreline down to its natural level and completely reconstruct the man-made dam. Because of the short field season in the area, the process is going to take at least three years to complete.

During the winter season, while construction activity is on hold, NW Construction will remove their equipment and supplies as much as possible to allow winter access.

Please call the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest for more information, 307-276-5800.

Click on this link for more pictures

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest

Info on vehicle registration laws in Wyoming for non-resident workers (posted 5/29/18)
Sweetwater County
In a joint release issued on Tuesday (May 29, 2018), Sweetwater County Sheriff Mike Lowell and County Treasurer Robb Slaughter described the details of Wyoming statute concerning vehicle registration for non-residents working in the state.

"The Wyoming statute that addresses this issue," Slaughter said, "is W.S. 31-2-201 (j) and (k). It can be reviewed online at the State Legislature’s website at http://www.wyoleg.gov/StateStatutes/StatutesConstitution?tab=0 ."

Lowell and Slaughter outlined the statute as follows:

A non-resident who is employed in Wyoming, on either a temporary or full-time basis, and who is the owner or operator of a vehicle in Wyoming that is not a commercial vehicle must immediately obtain a valid Wyoming registration or purchase a temporary registration.

To obtain a temporary registration, their vehicle must display a valid registration from another jurisdiction and be properly insured. Application is made in person at the County Treasurer’s Office at the Sweetwater County Courthouse at 80 West Flaming Gorge Way in Green River. The fee for a temporary registration is $50.00 per month and cannot exceed 120 days per vehicle. If a worker is going to be employed in Wyoming for longer than 120 days, a regular Wyoming registration must be issued.

Those applying for a temporary registration will need to bring with them the following:

- The vehicle’s current, non-expired registration
- Proof of insurance
- Color of vehicle
- Payment for temporary registration in the form of cash, credit card, or debit card

Subsection (k) of the statute makes the following provisions for a commercial vehicle owner, a non-resident owner of a vehicle who is not employed in Wyoming, or any owner, upon transfer of ownership to, as an alternative to registration:

A 30-, 60-, or 90-day permit may be obtained in any 12 month period. The temporary permit begins on the date the owner enters Wyoming or on the date of purchase of the vehicle. The fees for a temporary permit are:

Up to 30 days - .10 X regular registration fee
Up to 60 days - .20 X regular registration fee
Up to 90 days - .30 X regular registration fee

Lowell and Slaughter noted that Wyoming has full reciprocity agreements with Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, and Nebraska. Non-residents working in Wyoming who live in these states may run with their regular registration. If they take up residence in Wyoming, however, (by living here over 120 days, for instance), they must obtain Wyoming registration.

In addition, Wyoming has daily commuter reciprocity with Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Utah. Non-residents who live in these states and commute to work daily in Wyoming may run with their regular registration.

Lowell emphasized that Sweetwater County deputies are enforcing this statute, and will continue to do so.

Slaughter said those with questions may contact their County Clerk’s office.

3 towns call themselves the ‘Ice Box of The Nation’ (posted 1/15/18)
Including Big Piney, Wyoming
Wyoming Public Radio posted an article today (Monday, January 15) about three towns that are fighting to claim the title of "Ice Box of the Nation.’ Those three towns are International Falls, Minnesota; Fraser, Colorado; and Big Piney, Wyoming. Each has had record cold recorded temperatures. Big Piney has reached -61F.

For more on this story, click on this link,Why Three Towns Are Fighting To Be The 'Ice Box Of The Nation' and then click on the audio link on the left hand side. Story by Kelly McEvers, All Things Considered, npr.org, Jan. 15, 2018

Local Contact Numbers
Big Piney Town Hall
PO Box 70
Big Piney, WY 83113
307-276-3554
www.bigpiney.us

Marbleton Town Hall
10700 US 189
Marbleton, WY 83113
307-276-3815

Flicks & Pins Entertainment Center
Open Sunday through Thursday from 3:00PM to 10:00PM
Friday & Saturday 3:00PM to Midnight
Phone 307-276-4062 for movie times
www.flicksnpins.com/

Big Piney Ranger District
Bridger-Teton National Forest
P.O. Box 218
Big Piney, WY, 83113
307-276-3375 or 276-5800/5200
Fax: 307-739-5235/276-5835
www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

Sublette County Courthouse
21 S Tyler, Pinedale, WY 82941
Big Piney Direct Line 307-276-3827
Marbleton Annex 307-276-3735
Pinedale Information: 307-367-7722

Sublette County Sheriff's Department
PO Box 701
Pinedale, WY 82941
Marbleton: 307-276-5448
Pinedale: 307-367-4378

Big Piney Post Office
401 Budd Avenue
307-276-3772
1-800-275-8777

Sublette County School District #9
Superintendent's Office: 307-276-3322
Big Piney High School: 307-276-3324
Big Piney Middle School: 307-276-3315
Big Piney Elementary School: 307-276-3313
Big Piney Pool: 307-276-9966
www.sublette9.org


Southwest Sublette County Pioneers Senior Citizen Center
429 E First St, Marbleton, WY
P.O. Box 33
Big Piney, WY 83113
Phone: (307) 276-3249
Fax (307) 276-3249
E-mail: southwest001@centurytel.net
Open 8:00am to 4:00pm
Lunch at 12:00 noon Tue. Wed. Thurs. (starting July 1, 2008)
Joan Mitchell / Director
www.bpmseniorhousing.com
Facebook page

Green River Valley Cowbelles
www.greenrivervalleycowbelles.com

More Area Information:
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce (Pinedale)
307-367-2242 or 1-888-285-7282
www.sublettechamber.com

BigPiney.com (Pinedale Online!)
307-360-7689 (days, evenings, weekends, after hours calls ok)

Sublette County Fair
July - August
The Sublette County Fair is packed with entertainment and fun. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the many highlights is the Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo. The audience holds their breath as these young cowboys and cowgirls try their hand at bronc riding. The evening ends with the youngest contestants competing in the stick horse barrel race. The greased pig contest is another favorite, the crowd roars with laughter watching the wave a kids overtaking the slimy critters.

Spend some time viewing the livestock shows and watch the participants as they receive their awards for a job well done. Enjoy the wonderful food which some how tastes more delicious in the atmosphere of the fair festivities. Finish the night off at the rodeos with many local cowboys and cowgirls participating in the fast paced events. Visit the Sublette County Fair web page to enjoy pictures from previous years fairs.

For more information visit - www.sublettecountyfair.com.

Green River Valley Museum
Open June through October
The Green River Valley Museum is located on the main street in Big Piney. Artifacts from prehistoric Indians, pioneers, homesteaders and other various groups that have settled this area are on display at the museum. Many of the items displayed at the museum were donated by local families. 'Hard Hats and Stetsons' is the annual fundraiser for the museum. The name of the fundraiser itself reflects how important the cattle and oil industry have been for this valley.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM from June into October (opening date varies, so watch for announcements on the specific date each year). Admission is by donation. Special tours can be arranged by calling Museum Director Jeannie Lockwood at 307-276-3637.

For more information visit www.grvm.com

Chuckwagon Days July 3rd & 4th in Big Piney
Chuckwagon Days takes place each year over the 4th of July holiday in Big Piney. There is a Lil' Buckaroo Rodeo, a parade down Big Piney's main street followed by a free BBQ at the Sublette County Fairgrounds, an afternoon rodeo, street dance and late evening fireworks (on the 4th).

The "Chuckwagon Chug" a 5k and 10k Walk/Run, will be held on July 4th, before the Big Piney Parade. Start/Finish is at the Big Piney High School parking lot. There will be prizes for top finishers and gift bags for all contestants.

More information about Chuckwagon Days can be found here: www.ChuckwagonDays.com

Local Lodging
If you are looking for local lodging and places to stay in the Big Piney-Marbleton areas, be sure to check the Sublette County Chamber of Commerce website under lodging. Big Piney and Marbleton are located about 35 miles south of Pinedale, so look under motels, RV parks and campgrounds specific to our towns.
Lodging Links:
Bed & Breakfasts, Cabins, Motels, Guest Ranches, RV
www.sublettechamber.com

Camping near Big Piney & Marbleton
The closest campgrounds are located on the Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. They offer two developed campgrounds and many opportunities for dispersed camping in the Wyoming Range west of Big Piney and Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from local businesses and town services. For detailed information, contact the district office at 307-276-3375.

Sacajewea Campground Located 25 miles west of Big Piney. This campground has 26 sites, basic amenities, and is open June 15th through September 30th. The camping fee is $7.00 per site, per night. This campground has running water, an on-site host, and is well maintained. No electricity, showers or phone.

Middle Piney Lake Campground This is a primitive campground located further down the road from the Sacajewea Campground. This camp area is next to Middle Piney Lake and has 5 tent sites, tables and pit toilets. NO running water, electricity, showers or phone service. NO fees. Because of the narrow winding road to this campground, it is not recommended to take trailers to the lake site.

Forest Service Cabins Big Piney Ranger District offers two Forest Service work centers for rent for overnight stays. One is located at Snider Basin and the other in the Hoback. Contact the Big Piney office for more information on availability and fees.

NOTICE ABOUT BEARS: These campgrounds are in bear country. Both black bears and grizzly bears inhabit the Wyoming mountain range. Visitors are strongly encouraged to practice clean camping techniques and store attractants in a manner that makes them unavailable to bears. Bear-proof canisters are available for rent from the Big Piney Ranger District office. Bear-proof dumpsters are located at various locations at campgrounds and recreation areas on National Forest land.

Dispersed Camping:
There are practically unlimited opportunities for dispersed camping on the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Big Piney/Marbleton. The forest boundary is approximately 20 miles from town. Stay limit is 16 days in any one location. Campers should either bring their own water or boil water obtained from sources in the outdoors to avoid getting sick from organisms that live in lakes and streams. Do not drink untreated surface water. Dispersed camping is available along the Piney, Cottonwood and LaBarge Creek drainages.

Camping on BLM land
There are no developed campgrounds on BLM land near Big Piney or Marbleton, however there are many places for dispersed camping for those who are prepared to bring their own drinking water and camp without developed facilities. For more information, contact the Pinedale Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management in Pinedale.

Private RV Campgrounds
There are several private businesses that offer RV campsites for overnight and extended stays. Most have power, water and sewer hookups. Click here to our sister website, Pinedale Online, for info about private RV campgrounds and services.

Related Links:
Bridger-Teton National Forest/Big Piney Ranger District
Sublette County Chamber of Commerce

Big Piney, Wyoming, "Ice Box of the Nation"

Big Piney & Marbleton
Ice Box of the Nation
Big Piney is the oldest settlement in Sublette County, Wyoming and was named by Dan B. Budd for the Piney Creeks. In 1879, Daniel B. Budd and his partner Hugh McKay brought a thousand head of cattle from Nevada hoping to ship them at Point of Rocks, but winter caught up to them here in the Green River Valley. The following year Dan Budd moved his family here and that is how the settlement of this town began. Big Piney was called "Ice Box of the Nation" when it was officially made a weather station in 1930. Big Piney had the coldest year round average temperature of any place nationally.

It's a curiosity, considering most Wyoming towns are few and far between, that Big Piney and Marbleton would only be a mile apart. They have separate post offices and town governments. Big Piney was incorporated on July 5, 1913. In the early days there was a lot of drainage problems with the site on which Big Piney was built. So Charles Budd, eldest son to Dan B Budd had hope to build the town up on the bench to alleviate this problem. Charles did establish Marbleton on the bench, in late 1913, but it never replaced Big Piney. Any attempts to combine the two towns has been unsuccessful. The truth is people here kinda' like it that way. Both towns cooperate with each other, they have a common school. The citizens of these two towns take a lot of pride in the growth of their little metropolis over the past years and think the founders would be proud too. Both communities have thrived in the last several decades because of the oil and gas industry. In the 1980's Marbleton recieved it's own post office, because of the number of people moving to the area.

To contribute information to this community website,
please e-mail: info@bigpiney.com or info@marbleton.com.
Phone: 307-276-5699 • Fax: 307-276-5414