Dry Piney Wildlife Crossing Project
=The Wyoming Game & Fish announced the Dry Piney Wildlife Crossing Project is now complete. The project included nine underpasses and 17 miles of 8-foot tall fencing on both sides of U.S. Highway 189 between Big Piney and LaBarge to encourage big game, primarily mule deer and pronghorn, to use the underpasses and avoid wildlife-vehicle collisions. Photo by Wyoming Game & Fish.
Headlines:
Memorial Service for Shane Copeland Feb. 24
Rec Board Grant/Budget Request hearings in March
Text-to-911 now available in Sublette County
Dry Piney wildlife crossing project complete
Sublette County Hospital District now offering Urgent Care
Be aware of new Wyoming ID rules for voting
Info on vehicle registration laws in Wyoming for non-resident workers
3 towns call themselves the ‘Ice Box of The Nation’
Local Contact Numbers
Sublette County Fair
Green River Valley Museum
Chuckwagon Days July 3rd & 4th in Big Piney
Local Lodging
Camping near Big Piney & Marbleton
Big Piney & Marbleton


Memorial Service for Shane Copeland Feb. 24 (posted 2/20/2024)
Shane Ross Copeland was born May 14,1992 in Jackson, Wyoming to Ross Copeland of Big Piney and Lisa Copeland of Pinedale. Shane passed away February 16, 2024.

Shane was active in 4H a Grand Champion and Reserve Champion showman in Beef, Swine & Horse. He won the Wyoming State History Day and competed in DC for National History Day. He played the sax, was a multi-year All-State Football player, multi-year All-Conference basketball player, State Track participant and Wyoming Select Hockey team member. He was selected for the Shrine Bowl and Honorable Mention Super 25. He was a member of the Black Hills State College Football team and earned a degree in Environmental Science. Shane loved to hunt, fish, snowmachine, golf, and bowl.

Shane was married to Ramsey August 13, 2016, with two stepchildren Tryzmen and Lexxus. His son Bransen was born February 15, 2017. He loved landscaping and worked for many companies along with owning his own business for a period. He was a loving husband and father and enjoyed many activities with his family.

Shane is survived by his mother Lisa, his father Ross (Deena), his Wife Ramsey, son Bransen, stepchildren Tryzmen & Lexxus, Sister Bailey Headrick (Brady) and Sister Caitlin Copeland. He is proceeded in death by his grandparents Jim and Margie Thomas and Darrell and Carol Copeland.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday February 24, 2024, at 1 p.m. at the Marbleton Senior Center.

Related Links:
Obituary – Shane Copeland, May 14, 1992 - February 16, 2024 Covill Funeral Home, Pinedale, Wyoming


Rec Board Grant/Budget Request hearings in March (posted 2/13/2024)

The Sublette County Recreation Board will hear GRANT/BUDGET REQUESTS for the fiscal year 2024-2025 in March in Pinedale and Marbleton.

Pinedale:
March 12, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Courthouse in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room

Marbleton:
March 13, 2024 at 6:00pm
Marbleton Town Hall

The members of the Rec Board would appreciate your cooperation in meeting the following guidelines when requesting funds:

A representative of your project/organization must attend one of the budget hearings and provide 11 copies of the completed grant application, a list of items requested in order of priority, a profit/loss statement and balance sheet. Your request packets should be four pages or less.

Grant applications will not be accepted after March 13, 2024

Grant applications can be obtained by contacting Board Clerk, Betty Cheeney at 307-360-8135 or Sublette County’s Website: https://www.sublettecountywy.gov/198/Recreation


Text-to-911 now available in Sublette County (posted 2/13/2024)

The Sublette County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center is excited to announce the launch of Text to 911, Inbound non-emergency text, Text Language Translation, and Real-Time Text (RTT).

This addition to our technology suite will significantly improve our ability to respond to emergencies effectively and efficiently in the community when a traditional 911 call is not an option.

Text to 911 allows dispatch to receive inbound emergency text in the Prepared Live interface. This will allow someone who can’t make a voice call to text us in emergencies. This is exciting for the hearing-impaired, a person in unfortunate situations where making a phone call could put the caller in danger, and backcountry rescue, just to name a few. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to text 911, be prepared to describe the nature and location of your emergency and answer all the questions asked by the dispatcher.

Call if you can, text if you can’t.

Inbound non-emergency text allows dispatch to receive non-emergency text when a voice call is not optional. Again, call if you can, text if you can’t. The number to text in non-emergency situations is 307-448-6477.

Text Language Translation auto-detects and translates incoming foreign languages and allows us to respond in the same language.

Real-Time-Text (RTT) is a feature that instantaneously transmits the text of your typed messages to the recipient. It is frequently used by device users who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, or have a speech-related disability, and can be crucial for these callers in an emergency.

TEXT-TO-911
NON-EMERGENCY TEXT 307-448-6477
CALL IF YOU CAN, TEXT IF YOU CAN’T


Dry Piney wildlife crossing project complete (posted 10/3/2023)

LA BARGE, WYOMING — The Dry Piney Wildlife Crossing Project, led by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation, is now complete and big game animals are actively using the underpasses. The project includes nine underpasses and 17 miles of 8-foot tall fencing on both sides of U.S. Highway 189 to encourage big game, primarily mule deer and pronghorn, to use the underpasses and avoid wildlife-vehicle collisions.

The media is invited to join WYDOT and Game and Fish for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Oct. 12. A virtual option will also be provided.

This section highway has one of the highest wildlife-vehicle collision rates in Wyoming. It goes through the Wyoming Range, which serves as crucial winter range for one of the largest mule deer herds in the west. WYDOT numbers show from 2018-20 an average of 68 animal carcasses are picked up by maintenance crews.

The total project cost was $15.1 million, supported by the federal BUILD grant, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and Wyoming Transportation Commission. Other supporters include the public, Sublette County, conservation organizations, private donors and landowners.

Underpasses are a proven asset in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, increasing motorist safety and preserving wildlife resources. Seven underpasses and 8-foot-high fencing along a 13.5-mile stretch of Wyoming Highway 30 west of Kemmerer resulted in an 81% reduction in deer-vehicle collisions after three years. Another project on U.S. Highway 191 near Pinedale with underpasses, fencing and two overpasses eliminated pronghorn collisions after three years, and mule deer collisions dropped by 79%.

Wyoming has identified 240 projects statewide to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. An online map depicting high-collision sections of roads across Wyoming can be found on the Game and Fish website.


Sublette County Hospital District now offering Urgent Care (posted 6/26/2022)

Starting July 5, 2022, the Sublette County Hospital District will now be offering Urgent Care. This will be open at the Pinedale Medical Clinic from 7am to 7pm, Monday thru Friday.

Administrator Dave Doorn notes, "When we administered our Community Health Needs Assessment survey, one of the top requests was for more access to patient care. By adding an Urgent Care and expanding hours, we are able to better meet the needs of the community."

Urgent Care consists of non-life-threatening acute needs, such as lacerations, minor fractures, fevers, animal bites, sprains or asthma.

Public Relations Director Kari DeWitt notes, "I am thrilled we are able to offer Urgent Care, especially for the parents in our community who might have a sick child after hours. It will be such a time saver not to have to drive out of the County for care."

Patients may either call 307-367-4133 or walk in to schedule an Urgent Care appointment.

Routine Care will continue at both the Pinedale Clinic and Marbleton/Big Piney Clinic from 8am to 5pm Monday thru Friday. Routine Care is preventative maintenance, prescription refills, physicals, WYDOT physicals, going over test results and other routine healthcare visits.

Kari DeWitt notes, "We do ask if you have a routine concern, that you make a regular appointment. That will leave the Urgent Care free to deal with truly urgent matters."

Lab and Radiology visits will also remain on the Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm schedule. If you need blood draws, lab work, CT scans, ultrasounds, or other routine lab and radiology services, please plan on coming during normal business hours.

Of course, the Emergency Room is available 24/7 for true emergencies. The SCHD operates full 24/7 EMS service in both Pinedale and Marbleton/Big Piney, so someone can always call 911 for a true emergency. If it’s not necessary to call 911, a patient can call 307-367-4133 to speak with our answering service which can connect you with the ER provider on call if necessary.

Dave Doorn notes, "We couldn’t expand services like this without the buy in from our staff. We would like to thank them for going above and beyond and figuring out how to expand access to care in Sublette County and better serve our community."


Be aware of new Wyoming ID rules for voting (posted 4/10/2022)
Wyoming voters are now required to show one of the following acceptable forms of ID when voting in person:
- Wyoming Driver’s License or ID card
- Tribal ID Card
- Passport
- US Military Card
- DL Card or ID card from another state
- University of Wyoming Student ID
- Wyoming Community College Student ID
- Wyoming Public School Student ID
- Valid Medicare Insurance Card
- Valid Medicaid Insurance Card

If you don’t have any of these IDs, you can obtain a free ID card from your local Driver’s Services office. For more information, call 307-777-5860, email elections@wyo.com, or go online to http://www.sos.wyo.gov/Elections/VoterID.


Info on vehicle registration laws in Wyoming for non-resident workers (posted 5/29/18)

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


BigPiney.com photo
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

Current Conditions

Weather from Weather Underground
Big Piney Weather (NWS)

Webcam view of US 189 north of Marbleton
Webcam view of US 189 north of Marbleton, view looking north from Fairgrounds

Webcam view of US 189 north of Marbleton, view looking south towards Marbleton & Big Piney
Webcam view of US 189 north of Marbleton, looking south from Fairgrounds

Webcam view of US 189 north of Marbleton, view looking south towards Marbleton & Big Piney
Webcam view of Hwy 351 north of Marbleton, at junction with US 189, view looking east

Upcoming Events

February 28: Dead Eye Shooters – Big Piney Shooting Sports 4-H Club Archery Meeting Wednesday from 6-8PM at the Big Piney Rec Center. The first meeting is a mandatory safety meeting. Enroll now at https://4h.zsuite.org. For more info, contact sublette@uwyo.edu or 307-367-4380.

March 10: Daylight Savings Time begins "Spring Forward, Fall Back." Set your clocks AHEAD one hour.

March 13: Rec Board Grant/Budget Request hearing in Marbleton At 6:00 pm in the Marbleton Town Hall. A representative of your project/organization must attend one of the budget hearings and provide 11 copies of the completed grant application, a list of items requested in order of priority, a profit/loss statement and balance sheet. Your request packets should be four pages or less. Grant applications can be obtained by contacting Board Clerk, Betty Cheeney at 307-360-8135 or Sublette County’s website.

April 30: Last day for the Pinedale BLM Field Office Big Game Winter Range closure Public BLM lands have been closed since January 1st to all motorized vehicle travel through April 30, 2024. Annual closure to protect elk, moose, pronghorn and mule deer from disruptive human activities during the winter months. For more information about the Pinedale Field Office area, contact Mark Thonhoff, (307) 367-5357; and for Kemmerer Field Office area, call (307) 828-4500.

Community Links