Star Valley Scenic Byway

Star of All Valleys

According to one legend, Star Valley received its name when Mormon pioneers who settled the area in the late 1870s took one look at its scenic beauty and proclaimed it to be the “Star of All Valleys.” Another legend refers to a series of terribly bitter winters in the late 1800s that were so horrific, locals named the region “Starvation Valley,” eventually shortened to its present name. Whatever the true reason behind the name, western Wyoming’s Star Valley is one of the state’s hidden gems. Nestled between the Salt River Range to the west and the Webster Range to the east, Star Valley is a grand expanse of land dotted with working cattle ranches, sunburnt hay fields, and charming small towns that retain much of their original Wild West flare. The best way to experience this delightful region is on the Star Valley Scenic Byway, an 80-mile route that hugs the western edge of Wyoming and parallels the Snake and Salt Rivers. Discover a road lined with snow-capped mountain peaks and panoramic canyon views, following a pioneer path that took millions of settlers west in search of a better life.