Centennial Scenic Byway

Pinedale to Dubois

Western Wyoming · Wyoming · United States

Key measurements

Distance

162.4 miles

Elevation gain

6,080 ft

Elevation loss

6,335 ft

High point

9,566 ft

Low point

5,947 ft

Net change

-248 ft (7,180 ft to 6,932 ft)

Surface

Paved

Route type

point-to-point

Route Overview

Centennial Scenic Byway runs 162.4 miles from Pinedale to Dubois across some of western Wyoming’s most dramatic mountain geography, linking the sagebrush country of the upper Green River basin with Jackson Hole, Togwotee Pass, and the red-rock Wind River valley. The ride skirts three major mountain ranges—the Wind River, Wyoming, and Gros Ventre ranges—before crossing the Continental Divide at Togwotee Pass.

Starting in Pinedale at 7,180 feet, the road runs west across high sage basin before entering the tight cut of Hoback Canyon, tracking the river down to its lowest point near the Snake River confluence. From there, the route heads north through the Jackson Hole valley floor, offering sweeping mountain vistas before making a sustained climb east into the Absaroka Range. Reaching a high point of 9,566 feet on Togwotee Pass, the terrain shifts from subalpine timber to arid, eroded badlands surrounding Dubois. With more than 6,000 feet of total elevation gain and loss, this is a quintessential high-country Western traverse.

Key Segments & Geographic Transitions

Green River Basin to Hoback Canyon — Miles 0.0–63.6

Leaving Pinedale on US-191, the route heads west across wide-open high-desert range land, framed by the Wind River Range to the east and the Wyoming Range ahead. Near Bondurant, the valley narrows rapidly as the highway enters Hoback Canyon. Here, the road tracks the tight bends of the Hoback River, carved between sheer limestone cliffs and steep timbered canyon walls. The riding through the canyon consists of continuous, flowing curves on smooth asphalt, dropping gradually toward the canyon mouth and the Snake River basin at Hoback Junction.

Jackson Hole to Togwotee Pass and Dubois — Miles 65.4–162.4

Joining US-26, the route turns north across the flat glacial outwash of Jackson Hole, framing open views of the Teton Range to the west. Near Moran Junction, the highway turns east and begins its long, steady climb out of the valley floor along the Buffalo Fork river drainage. The environment transitions quickly from valley ranchland to dense lodgepole pine and alpine fir as the elevation climbs toward the Continental Divide.

The climax of the segment is Togwotee Pass at mile 132.7, elevated at 9,566 feet beneath the dramatic volcanic cliffs of the Breccia Peak and the Pinnacles. East of the summit, the road plunges down the upper Wind River drainage, watching the dense alpine forest give way to open pine groves, dry bluffs, and finally the striking, layered red sandstone formations surrounding Dubois.

Seasonal & Environmental Context

Elevation dominates the environmental conditions on this route. While lower stretches in Jackson Hole and Dubois may be dry and warm in summer, Togwotee Pass sits near timberline and experiences radically different weather.

Operating Window: The byway is maintained year-round, but Togwotee Pass experiences severe winter conditions and temporary storm closures are possible. For motorcycles, the practical riding season is generally late spring through early fall, with snow or freezing conditions possible outside midsummer at the highest elevations. - Temperature Swings: Expect thermal changes of 20°F to 35°F between the low point in the Snake River valley and the summit of Togwotee Pass. Layering for severe cold at the pass is necessary even on warm summer days. - Afternoon Storms: High-altitude mountain passes in Wyoming routinely generate sudden afternoon thunderstorms with heavy rain, small hail, and strong convective wind gusts.

Logistics & Services

Fuel Coverage: Full services and fuel are available in Pinedale, near Jackson, and in Dubois. The 55-mile mountain stretch between Moran Junction and Dubois has minimal commercial development and no late-night fuel stations; top off before starting the pass climb. - Cellular Service: Cellular coverage is generally reliable near Pinedale, Jackson, and Dubois, but fades significantly inside the deep walls of Hoback Canyon and across high sections of Togwotee Pass.

Important Considerations

Big Game Wildlife: Large mammals present a constant roadway hazard. Elk, moose, and mule deer may move across US-191 in Hoback Canyon and US-26 near Togwotee Pass. Grizzly bears are also active throughout the Togwotee and Moran corridors. Extra vigilance is required near dawn and dusk. - Tourist & RV Traffic: US-26 through Jackson Hole and over Togwotee Pass is a primary corridor for National Park visitors. Expect slow-moving recreational vehicles and sightseers, particularly around scenic pullouts and steep mountain grades.