The Valley Hiding In Wyoming That’s Just Waiting To Be Explored
There’s a little slice of heaven hidden in the western portion of the state. It’s a valley nestled in between two mountain ranges and was once known as the “Star of All Valleys” due to its natural beauty. That’s why today this hidden valley is just waiting to be explored.
Star Valley, 14 miles wide and 50 miles long, stretches out between the Salt River Range in western Wyoming and Webster Range in eastern Idaho. Here, the altitude ranges anywhere from 5,600 to 7,000 feet.
Salt River Range is a 56 mile long range. It forms the eastern boundary of Star Valley.
Pictured here is Salt River Pass on the southern end of Star Valley. US Route 89 runs right through Salt River Pass.
There are about quite a few towns or census-designated places spread throughout the valley. These include Afton, Thayne, Bedford, Etna, Smoot, Fairview, Osmond, Freedom, Grover, Auburn, Alpine, Nordic, Turnerville and Star Valley Ranch. Pictured is Etna.
Here's a picture of Star Valley just south of Etna.
This expansive valley region is made up of 3 major rivers that meet near Alpine Junction at Palisades Reservoir. These rivers consist of the Salt River, Greys River and the Snake River.
Star Valley was first inhabited by the Shoshone Indians because of the abundance of game and pure salt deposits. Pictured here is Washakie, meaning "Shoots the Buffalo Running", who was an Eastern Shoshone Chief.
White explorers and trappers also passed through the valley. In the late 1870s, Mormon pioneers colonized and settled in the area.
The Star Valley Wyoming Temple was completed in 2016 and is located east of U.S. Highway 89 south of Afton. This is the first temple in Wyoming.
Have you ever driven through or been to Star Valley?
The Incredible Wyoming Valley That’s Full Of Surprises is another valley that needs to be explored.
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