Eastern Mojave Vegetation Great Divide Basin, Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
 
Gazetteer

Query: G.N.I.S.

See also: Red Desert Basin.

The Great Divide Basin is a large, closed desert basin in Wyoming where water flows in but does not drain to an ocean. It is created by the split of the Continental Divide, which encircles the area before rejoining. The basin's landscape is characterized by sagebrush, sand dunes, and scarce water sources, and it has been historically used by indigenous peoples for toolmaking.

Key features:

  • Location: The basin is in the Red Desert of Wyoming, situated between South Pass in the northwest and Bridger Pass in the southeast. Interstate 80 crosses through it.
  • Endorheic Basin: It is one of the largest endorheic (closed) basins in North America, meaning water that enters it—like rain or snowmelt—evaporates or soaks into the ground without flowing to an ocean.
  • Landscape: The terrain varies from flat, sagebrush-covered areas to large sand dune fields, mountains, and badlands.
  • Water: Water sources are very scarce and often require filtering. Ranchers have developed some sources for their livestock by piping water to troughs or ponds.
  • History: The basin has been a significant area for indigenous peoples, who used its chert (a type of rock) to make stone tools thousands of years ago. It is also a major section of the Continental Divide Trail.


    Elevation: 6503ft, 1982m.

    Articles that refer to this location:

     

    Full Size Image
    Westward descent into the Great Divide Basin.

No collections made at this location.
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Date and time this article was prepared:8:01:22 PM, 4/4/2026.