- Region
- Montana
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- backpacking, hiking, camping
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm the destination’s managing agency …
Plan with verified data
Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105) trip tools
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Bear Country Food StorageBear country: canister, Ursack or hang, and the local rules.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
How to get there
The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness can be accessed from many locations, including Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana, and also from the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming. Corwin Springs, MT, is the nearest town, 0.9 miles in a straight line from the wilderness boundary. For specific trailheads, consult an Absaroka-Beartooth map available at any ranger station.
Sources: fwp.mt.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage · Public Lands DB. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Montana · United States · Season: Fall hunting seasons
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Canoeing
Overview
Adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, the Absaroka Wilderness is a land of volcanic plateaus, jagged peaks, and deep canyons. This is classic Absaroka country, characterized by its unique geology, high elevations, and vast, unspoiled tracts of forest and alpine meadows. What makes it special for mule deer is the sheer amount of undisturbed habitat and the limited access, which allows bucks to grow old. Access is challenging, typically from trailheads west of Cody or Dubois, often requiring an overnight pack-in or longer to reach prime hunting grounds. The best season is late September to early October, when bucks are often beginning to stage for the rut. This is a demanding hunt requiring excellent physical conditioning, wilderness navigation skills, and the ability to operate in grizzly country. Standard Wyoming deer tags are needed, and wilderness permits may be required depending on the specific area within the forest. Trade-offs include incredibly rugged terrain, significant grizzly bear activity, and unpredictable weather that can dump heavy snow at any time. Rivers can also be difficult to cross after heavy rains or snowmelt.
Why it stands out
Unique volcanic geology and dramatic, rugged landscape
High potential for encountering mature, unpressured bucks
Excellent opportunities for remote, multi-day wilderness experiences
High chance of seeing other iconic wildlife, including grizzlies and elk
Solitude is almost guaranteed once you get a few miles in
Know before you go
Extremely rugged and steep terrain, making travel difficult
High concentration of grizzly bears and other large predators
Severe and sudden weather changes, including blizzards
Difficult river crossings can become impassable
Requires extensive planning and self-sufficiency
Planning notes
Where: Montana, United States Best season: Fall hunting seasons Good for: Backpacking, Hiking, Camping, Wildlife Viewing Featured on: Top 10 High-Country Mule Deer Backpacking Units in Wyoming (#3) Access point: Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Mc Leod, MT 59052, USA
Check current permits, closures and fire restrictions with the managing agency before you commit to dates.
Field notes
- Unique volcanic geology and dramatic, rugged landscape
- High potential for encountering mature, unpressured bucks
- Excellent opportunities for remote, multi-day wilderness experiences
- High chance of seeing other iconic wildlife, including grizzlies and elk
- Solitude is almost guaranteed once you get a few miles in
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105), United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 45.2083, -110.2924
- Latitude (DMS)
- 45° 12′ 29.8″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 110° 17′ 32.7″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105), not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
Adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, the Absaroka Wilderness is a land of volcanic plateaus, jagged peaks, and deep canyons.
Key takeaways
- Region: Montana
- Country: United States
- Best season: Fall hunting seasons
- Good for: backpacking, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing
- Coordinates: 45.208, -110.292
Intended uses
- backpacking
- hiking
- camping
- wildlife viewing
Climate suitability
Fall hunting seasons
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105)
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Hunting
Seasons, tags, and the units that hold animals.
- Climbing
Rock and alpine lines with approach beta.
- Winter Camping
Cold-season travel and camp craft; layering matters more than mileage.
- Skiing
Ski-touring access when the road closes for the season.
Animals around Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105)
Destination identity needs confirmation
The requested destination is identified as Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105), Montana, but its precise boundary and the meaning of those unit numbers remain unconfirmed. That distinction matters before choosing an approach or building an itinerary: a unit label should not be assumed to identify a designated wilderness boundary, a trail system, or an administrative district. Start by confirming the full destination name and the map associated with Units 102/105. Until that identity is established, there is no reliable basis here for describing local terrain, naming nearby towns, or recommending particular trails. Treat this profile as a planning checkpoint rather than a field guide; it does not establish a usable route into the destination.
Jurisdiction and trip requirements
Confirm the managing agency for the exact area before making permit or camping plans. Federal wilderness areas can fall under different agencies, and some have shared management; the wilderness label alone does not establish which office handles a particular destination. Montana state park entrance and accommodation rules should not be treated as wilderness requirements. For this trip, confirm permits and any applicable fees directly with the managing agency once the location is resolved. Ask that office to identify the correct visitor information and boundary map for the intended outing. No destination-specific permit requirement, reservation process, camping rule, or fee is established here, so none should be inferred from this profile.
Access and route planning
No specific access point or route can be recommended for this destination without first resolving its location. A useful itinerary needs a verified starting point, a mapped route, and confirmation that the approach serves the intended area. Drive times, walking distances, and difficulty ratings are therefore left unspecified rather than estimated. Once the destination is confirmed, request current access information and route guidance from the responsible office, then match the outing to the group's experience and available time. Do not treat the unit numbers as navigation instructions. This profile also does not establish local hazards or a preferred travel season; those decisions need location-specific information before departure, rather than assumptions about Montana generally.
Sample itineraries
- Single-day planning outline · 1 day
Before choosing a hike, confirm what “Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105)” identifies, who manages it, and which access points serve it. Build a day trip only after verifying a route and current conditions. This is a planning outline, not a verified itinerary.
- Overnight planning outline · 2 days
Confirm the destination boundary, managing agency, overnight-use rules, access, and a suitable route before planning an overnight stay. No specific trail or campsite can be recommended here. Keep the trip provisional until those details are established.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Local access window not established
Destination-specific spring conditions are not established. Confirm access and route conditions with the managing agency before choosing dates.
Summer
Local hiking window not established
Summer hiking and camping are regional Rocky Mountains activities. That regional pattern does not establish suitable dates, open access, or route conditions for Units 102/105.
Fall
Local access window not established
Destination-specific fall conditions are not established. Confirm seasonal access and current conditions before committing to an itinerary.
Winter
Local winter-use window not established
Winter skiing and snowboarding occur across the Rocky Mountains region. Suitable winter routes, access, and conditions for this destination are not established.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Local access window not established | Destination-specific spring conditions are not established. Confirm access and route conditions with the managing agency before choosing dates. |
| Summer | Local hiking window not established | Summer hiking and camping are regional Rocky Mountains activities. That regional pattern does not establish suitable dates, open access, or route conditions for Units 102/105. |
| Fall | Local access window not established | Destination-specific fall conditions are not established. Confirm seasonal access and current conditions before committing to an itinerary. |
| Winter | Local winter-use window not established | Winter skiing and snowboarding occur across the Rocky Mountains region. Suitable winter routes, access, and conditions for this destination are not established. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm the destination’s managing agency and ask about permits and applicable use rules before traveling.
Official source: STATE PARKS :: Fees & General Information - Montana FWP · Verified September 18, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Destination identity and unit boundaries are unverified; resolve them before selecting access or navigating.
- Route-specific hazards are not established. Obtain current local guidance rather than treating this profile as a route safety assessment.
- Seasonal access and conditions are unverified. Regional recreation patterns are not evidence that a particular route is suitable.
What to pack for Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105)
- Verified destination boundary map
- Confirmed access and route information
- Managing-agency contact details
- Current local conditions
- Confirmed use rules
Absaroka Wilderness (Units 102/105) FAQ
- What does “Units 102/105” mean?
- The unit designation is not established here. Confirm its meaning and geographic boundaries with the relevant managing agency before using it to plan a trip.
- Which trailhead or route should be used?
- No destination-specific trailhead or route is established. Obtain a verified local map and agency guidance before selecting access.
- Do Montana State Parks fees apply?
- Do not assume state park charges apply to this destination. Confirm its land-management jurisdiction and applicable rules first.
- When is the best time to visit?
- A destination-specific season cannot be established. Summer hiking and winter snow sports are regional activities, not confirmation of local access or suitability.
- Can an overnight trip be booked now?
- First confirm the destination, overnight-use rules, and whether reservations are relevant. No campsite, reservation process, or overnight route is established here.