Star Valley is located in the
United States between the
Salt River Range in western
Wyoming and the Webster Range of eastern
Idaho. The altitude of the valley ranges from to . Three major Wyoming rivers, the
Salt River, the
Greys River and the
Snake River meet near
Alpine Junction at
Palisades Reservoir. Numerous towns are located in the valley, including
Afton,
Thayne,
Bedford,
Etna,
Smoot,
Fairview,
Osmond,
Freedom,
Grover,
Auburn,
Alpine,
Nordic,
Turnerville and
Star Valley Ranch. Star Valley was settled in the late 1870s by
Mormon pioneers. Primary sources indicate Star Valley was proclaimed the "Star of All Valleys" for its natural beauty by a general authority of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The name was later shortened to Star Valley. Another less supported theory about the origin of the name comes from Starvation (Starve) Valley, a name the area gained during bitter winters in the late 1880s. In the March 1889, over of snow fell in two days.