At 70 miles an hour, the whole scene plays out in about 2.5 seconds.

Entering Big Sandy National Forest, a sign reads. 

Then, in the middle of a seemingly endless expanse of sagebrush, there is a modest cluster of cottonwood trees. One’s notably larger than the rest. They’re unimpressive and unnoteworthy, except for their incongruity with the surrounding landscape. 

The northernmost cottonwood tree growing in Big Sandy National Forest towers over the few others that sprout from the made-up site in the Green River Basin. (Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile)

Last comes another curious sign: Leaving Big Sandy National Forest. 

Many passersby headed down U.S. Highway 191 toward Pinedale or Farson, who notice the sign-trees-sign sequence for the first time, are perhaps initially confused. But if they chew on what they witnessed for a moment, it might earn a chuckle. 

That’s the point. 

Big Sandy National Forest is a joke. 

“I get a snicker every time I drive by,” lifelong local Albert Sommers said. 

In semi-arid, low-lying Sublette County, renowned for its sagebrush ecosystem, trees come at a premium and the environment lends itself to the jokes of this ilk. It’s dead now, but at the south end of the Pinedale Mesa in Soaphole Draw stood a lone cottonwood tree that Sommers’ family has always called the Black Forest. 

“I always wondered if the namers of the Big Sandy Forest had heard about the Black Forest,” Sommers said. 

About 90 yards after entering Big Sandy National Forest, passersby depart. “Entering” and “leaving” are imprinted on opposite sides of each sign, so both northbound and southbound motorists get to enjoy their moment in the forest. (Mike Koshmrl/WyoFile)

Tough to say. Big Sandy National Forest is located on Wyoming state land, though it’s within the Highway 191 right-of-way.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation doesn’t know who erected the forest signs, spokeswoman Stephanie Harsha said. They just appeared one day. 

Transportation officials opted to leave up the unauthorized signage bracketing the little grove of trees for one reason. 

“We thought it was funny,” Harsha said.

Mike Koshmrl reports on Wyoming's wildlife and natural resources. Prior to joining WyoFile, he spent nearly a decade covering the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s wild places and creatures for the Jackson...

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  1. My favorite National Forest. My first visit was in 2004. There used to be wooden signs. I always leave with a smile!

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  2. I beg to differ,the smallest forest is on San Clamente island within sight of Katalia island off the coast of Santiago California.As a Navy Seal who did training there I saw the big sign,and only a couple of small trees,the only ones on the island.

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  3. Let me get this straight — OSLI and WYDOT are just rolling over and allowing the BS National Forest to seize and occupy these valuable state lands without our consent or just compensation? Has anyone made Rep. Hageman aware of this dire situation?

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  4. Love this little witty prank. Big Wonderful Wyoming folks are noted for such witticisms!

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  6. A passing moment of levity in a seriously unbalanced world.
    Thanks for sharing Mike.

    Reply

  7. Seems like today’s world can use more light hearted ways to make our days easier to tolerate. Thanks to whoever and their sense of humor.

    Reply