- Region
- Montana
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking, wildlife viewing, camping
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm Hunting District 313 license and p…
- Managed by
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — hunting licensing and regulation inquiries.
Plan with verified data
Hunting District 313 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.
- The 10 EssentialsDay on trail: carry the ten essentials.
- Water Purification MatrixRefilling on trail: compare treatment options.
- Layering CalculatorCool temps: build a layer stack for the climb and the summit.
How to get there
Hunting District 313 is located immediately north of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) between Cooke City and Gardiner. Access within the district involves State Highway 540 (East River Road) and Sixmile Creek Road. The area includes the Boulder River Divide, Mill Creek Divide, and Six-mile Creek east of the Yellowstone River and Sphinx Creek.
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives / CC BY 4.0 Sixmile Creek RoadThis road can be accessed from State Highway 540 (East River Road). Follow Sixmile Creek up to the intersection with the westerly branch of Sixmile Creek in the NE1/4 Section 29, T6S, R8E, then southerly up said creek to the North Fork of Sixmile Creek.
- Numerous trailhead or secondary road access points
Most public land in the district is legally accessible through these points. Approximately 75% of the district lies within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
Sources: fwp.mt.gov · Wikipedia · Wikivoyage · Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Montana · United States · Season: Fall hunting seasons
- Hunting
- Climbing
- Winter Camping
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Backpacking
Overview
Situated in the northern Madison Range and encompassing parts of the Gallatin National Forest, HD 313 is another perennial producer for public land elk. This unit is characterized by large timbered basins, high alpine meadows, and brushy foothills, providing diverse habitat. Bozeman, Ennis, and Big Sky are the nearest towns, offering all necessary amenities. The unit sees heavy pressure, particularly early in the archery season and during the first week of rifle season, due to its proximity to Bozeman and large blocks of accessible public land. Success often comes to those who can get away from primary trailheads and roads. Early season high-country hunts can be productive for bigger bulls, while late-season snow pushes elk to lower elevations. Prepare for steep climbs, potential grizzly bear encounters, and variable weather. Permits for specific wilderness areas within the unit might be required for overnight stays, so check regulations beforehand. The elk herds are generally healthy, though winter range can be limited.
Planning notes
Where: Montana, United States Best season: Fall hunting seasons Good for: Hiking, Wildlife Viewing, Camping Featured on: Top 10 Public Land Elk Units in Montana: High-Percentage Bull Hunting (#2) Access point: Montana, USA
Check current permits, closures and fire restrictions with the managing agency before you commit to dates.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Hunting District 313, 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
- 46.8797, -110.3626
- Latitude (DMS)
- 46° 52′ 46.9″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 110° 21′ 45.2″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Hunting District 313, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
Situated in the northern Madison Range and encompassing parts of the Gallatin National Forest, HD 313 is another perennial producer for public land elk.
Key takeaways
- Region: Montana
- Country: United States
- Best season: Fall hunting seasons
- Good for: hiking, wildlife viewing, camping
- Coordinates: 46.880, -110.363
Intended uses
- hiking
- wildlife viewing
- camping
Climate suitability
Fall hunting seasons
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Hunting District 313
- 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.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around Hunting District 313
Hunting District 313: establish the district before planning
Hunting District 313 is the Montana destination for this trip, but a usable field plan needs a confirmed district boundary, legal access, and current hunting regulations. Start with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks rather than treating the district name as a trailhead or a single recreation site. Montana includes mountain ranges, prairie, and badlands; that statewide variety does not establish the terrain within District 313. Before choosing an approach, confirm which lands fall inside the district and which can legally be entered for the intended activity. Keep the district boundary, land ownership, and access permissions separate in planning. A hunting district designation should not be treated as proof of public access or permission to cross a particular parcel.
Licensing and regulation checks
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks provides an online licensing service, hunting license and permit information, and guidance for both residents and nonresidents. Its Buy and Apply service also includes a license-provider search and tutorials for buying licenses online and using the MyFWP app. Use those services to confirm the requirements that apply to the intended hunt in District 313. Do not assume that a general licensing page establishes district-specific eligibility, species rules, or hunt dates. Confirm the current regulations with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before committing to travel. Licensing and land access are separate planning questions: completing a purchase does not resolve where a vehicle can go, where a hunt can begin, or whether a particular crossing is permitted.
Build an access plan before an itinerary
Choose a route only after confirming an actual access point for District 313. A practical plan should identify the legal starting location, the intended travel line, the relevant property boundaries, and a return option. Ask the responsible land manager about access conditions and any restrictions affecting that specific approach. Leave driving times, route distances, and difficulty ratings unsettled until the starting point and route are established. Montana's broad outdoor opportunities are not a substitute for local route information, and regional descriptions cannot determine what equipment or travel pace a particular district requires. Once the approach is verified, match clothing, navigation, water, and other essentials to the terrain, forecast, and duration of the outing rather than to a statewide description.
Sample itineraries
- One-day district orientation · 1 day
Before visiting Hunting District 313, confirm its current boundaries, legal access and applicable hunting regulations with Montana FWP. Build the day's outing around verified access rather than assuming a district designation grants entry.
- Two-day scouting framework · 2 days
Use the first day for orientation at access locations confirmed beforehand. Reserve the second for revisiting a legally accessible area suited to your plans. This is a planning framework, not a verified route; confirm local terrain, conditions and any hunting requirements before departure.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Confirm locally
District-specific spring conditions are not established here. Check local weather and access before choosing an outing; Montana's statewide mix of mountains and prairie does not establish this district's terrain.
Summer
Confirm locally
Summer hiking and camping are regional Rocky Mountain activities, not confirmed opportunities within Hunting District 313. Verify legal access, local conditions and suitable locations before planning either.
Fall
Confirm locally
Do not assume fall dates correspond to an open hunting season. Confirm current district and species regulations with Montana FWP, and check the local forecast before travel.
Winter
Confirm locally
Winter skiing and snowboarding occur across the Rocky Mountain region, but district-specific snow conditions and winter access are not established here. Confirm both locally rather than treating regional recreation patterns as a district forecast.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Confirm locally | District-specific spring conditions are not established here. Check local weather and access before choosing an outing; Montana's statewide mix of mountains and prairie does not establish this district's terrain. |
| Summer | Confirm locally | Summer hiking and camping are regional Rocky Mountain activities, not confirmed opportunities within Hunting District 313. Verify legal access, local conditions and suitable locations before planning either. |
| Fall | Confirm locally | Do not assume fall dates correspond to an open hunting season. Confirm current district and species regulations with Montana FWP, and check the local forecast before travel. |
| Winter | Confirm locally | Winter skiing and snowboarding occur across the Rocky Mountain region, but district-specific snow conditions and winter access are not established here. Confirm both locally rather than treating regional recreation patterns as a district forecast. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm Hunting District 313 license and permit requirements with Montana FWP. Its Buy and Apply service provides online licensing and hunting license information.
Official source: Buy And Apply - Montana FWP · Verified September 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Unverified access: confirm land ownership and permission before entering; a hunting district designation should not be treated as an access authorization.
- Boundary uncertainty: verify the current district boundary before selecting a hunting location.
- Conditions mismatch: statewide and regional descriptions are not enough to assess local terrain or weather. Obtain a local forecast and access information.
What to pack for Hunting District 313
- Current district boundary information
- Land-ownership and legal-access information
- Navigation tools appropriate to the confirmed outing
- Layers selected for the local forecast
- Water and food for the planned outing
- Footwear suited to verified terrain
Hunting District 313 FAQ
- Where are Hunting District 313's boundaries?
- Confirm the current boundary with Montana FWP before planning access or hunting. A reliable district outline is not established here.
- Where can licenses and permits be purchased?
- Montana FWP offers online licensing through its Buy and Apply service. It also lists license ambassadors who sell licenses and permits.
- Which species can be hunted in District 313?
- Confirm current district-specific species rules with Montana FWP. No species list or hunting-season schedule is established here.
- Are there verified trailheads or camping locations?
- No district-specific trailheads, routes or camping locations are established here. Confirm locations and legal access before building a field itinerary.
- What is the best season to visit?
- A district-specific recommendation cannot be made without local conditions and an activity plan. For hunting, start with current Montana FWP regulations; for other outings, verify access and weather.