- Region
- Wyoming
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- backpacking, hiking, camping
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm permit requirements and applicable…
Plan with verified data
North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106) 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 North Absaroka Wilderness is located in Park County, Wyoming, and borders Yellowstone National Park. The nearest town is Cooke City, Montana, which is 1.1 miles in a straight line from the boundary. Access to trailheads can be made via the Beartooth Highway or the Chief Joseph Highway. From Cody, Wyoming, travelers can reach the Pahaska Trailhead by traveling west on U.S. Highway 14/16/20 for approximately 45 miles.
- Pahaska Trailhead
From Cody, travel west on U.S. Highway 14/16/20 for approximately 45 miles. A trail runs north along Crow Creek from this easily accessible trailhead. Camping is limited to hard-sided camping units and individuals with saddle and/or pack stock.
- North Crandall Trailhead
This trailhead is accessible via the Beartooth Highway or the Chief Joseph Highway.
- Republic Pass Trailhead
This trailhead is located 0.02 miles outside the boundary at 10,003 ft.
- Republic Trailhead
This trailhead is located 0.02 miles outside the boundary at 8,137 ft.
- Avalanche Peak Trailhead
This trailhead is located 0.85 miles outside the boundary at 8,486 ft.
- Clearwater Trailhead
This trailhead is located 0.97 miles outside the boundary at 6,080 ft.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage · fs.usda.gov · publiclandsdb.com. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Wyoming · United States · Season: Fall hunting seasons
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountaineering
- Wildlife Viewing
Overview
The North Absaroka Wilderness, stretching north from Cody towards the Montana border, is a rugged and remote expanse of volcanic plateaus, deep canyons, and high ridges. Its character is defined by the Absaroka Mountains' unique geology and the wildness born from its limited human presence. What makes it special for mule deer is the vast, untouched habitat where deer can seek refuge from pressure. Access is difficult, typically from trailheads northwest of Cody, requiring multi-day pack-ins of 8-20 miles to reach productive high country. The ideal season is late September through early October. This is a hunt for very experienced backpackers with excellent navigation skills and the physical endurance to tackle truly wild country. Standard Wyoming deer tags are required, and wilderness permits may be necessary for some trailheads. Trade-offs include severe and sudden weather changes, extensive grizzly bear activity, and challenging navigation through broken terrain and dense timber. This area can feel truly vast and isolating.
Why it stands out
Vast, remote wilderness with minimal human impact
Potential for encountering mature, unpressured mule deer
Dramatic volcanic landscapes and unique geological features
Excellent opportunities for extended, self-supported expeditions
High chance of solitude and true wilderness immersion
Know before you go
Extreme remoteness and multi-day pack-in requirements
Significant grizzly bear population and heightened awareness needed
Severe and unpredictable mountain weather, including early snows
Rugged, broken terrain and dense timber can make travel slow
Limited cell service and no quick access to resources
Planning notes
Where: Wyoming, 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 (#9) Access point: North Absaroka Wilderness, Cody, WY 82414, USA
Check current permits, closures and fire restrictions with the managing agency before you commit to dates.
Field notes
- Vast, remote wilderness with minimal human impact
- Potential for encountering mature, unpressured mule deer
- Dramatic volcanic landscapes and unique geological features
- Excellent opportunities for extended, self-supported expeditions
- High chance of solitude and true wilderness immersion
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106), 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
- 44.5794, -109.8616
- Latitude (DMS)
- 44° 34′ 45.8″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 109° 51′ 41.7″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106), not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
The North Absaroka Wilderness, stretching north from Cody towards the Montana border, is a rugged and remote expanse of volcanic plateaus, deep canyons, and high ridges.
Key takeaways
- Region: Wyoming
- Country: United States
- Best season: Fall hunting seasons
- Good for: backpacking, hiking, camping, wildlife viewing
- Coordinates: 44.579, -109.862
Intended uses
- backpacking
- hiking
- camping
- wildlife viewing
Climate suitability
Fall hunting seasons
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106)
- 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.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
Animals around North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106)
Destination identity and planning scope
North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106) is the requested destination in Wyoming, United States. The meaning and boundaries of the unit numbers are not established here, so they should not be treated as confirmed wilderness boundaries or as a complete description of the trip area. Before building an itinerary, confirm the exact destination name, the relevant unit system, and the land manager responsible for the intended route. A useful destination profile needs verified local geography, access information, and route details; those particulars cannot be established for this destination here. No specific trail, road, campsite, landscape feature, or recreational opportunity is identified below because doing so would imply local knowledge that has not been confirmed.
Access and route planning
Getting-there directions, named access points, and route options remain unconfirmed. There is no established starting location, road approach, trail connection, or endpoint on which to base driving times or walking distances. Do not use the unit numbers alone to select an entry point or assume that a mapped approach provides public access. Ask the responsible land manager to identify appropriate access for the exact area intended, then check that the approach and proposed route connect as expected. Route difficulty also remains unspecified: assigning a rating without a known route would be misleading. Until those details are settled, this profile is not sufficient for navigation, transport arrangements, or choosing an itinerary.
Rules and conditions to confirm
Confirm current permit requirements and any applicable fees with the managing agency before making trip commitments. No permit rules, reservation procedures, quotas, or fee amounts are established here. The managing agency for this specific destination also remains unconfirmed; general information about federal land management does not establish responsibility for a particular access point or route. Once the trip area is identified, request current guidance on allowed activities, access restrictions, and any conditions affecting the proposed itinerary. No destination-specific season, water availability, wildlife hazard, or equipment recommendation can be responsibly assigned here. Those decisions should follow verified information about the actual route and conditions rather than assumptions based on the destination name.
Sample itineraries
- One-day planning outline · 1 day
This is a planning outline, not a verified route. Before choosing a day trip in North Absaroka Wilderness, confirm the destination boundary, legal access, route conditions, and a suitable turnaround point with the managing agency.
- Overnight planning outline · 2 days
This is a planning outline, not a verified backpacking itinerary. Confirm an access point, an overnight route, camping rules, and current conditions before committing to a two-day trip. Do not assume Units 105/106 define the wilderness boundary.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Timing not established
Local spring access and travel conditions are unconfirmed. Obtain current agency guidance before selecting a route or departure date.
Summer
Timing not established
A suitable summer travel window is unconfirmed. Check route status and local conditions rather than assuming the season guarantees access.
Fall
Timing not established
Local fall conditions and access are unconfirmed. Verify the intended route and applicable unit boundaries before finalizing plans.
Winter
Timing not established
Winter access and route suitability are unconfirmed. Seek destination-specific guidance before making travel plans.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Timing not established | Local spring access and travel conditions are unconfirmed. Obtain current agency guidance before selecting a route or departure date. |
| Summer | Timing not established | A suitable summer travel window is unconfirmed. Check route status and local conditions rather than assuming the season guarantees access. |
| Fall | Timing not established | Local fall conditions and access are unconfirmed. Verify the intended route and applicable unit boundaries before finalizing plans. |
| Winter | Timing not established | Winter access and route suitability are unconfirmed. Seek destination-specific guidance before making travel plans. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm permit requirements and applicable rules with the managing agency.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Route-specific hazards are unconfirmed; obtain a current assessment before choosing an itinerary.
- Access conditions are unconfirmed; verify the intended entry and exit points before departure.
- The relationship between Units 105/106 and the wilderness boundary is unconfirmed; verify boundaries rather than relying on the destination label.
What to pack for North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106)
- Current agency guidance for the intended activity
- Verified boundary and access information
- A verified map of the selected route
- Current route-condition information
- Applicable permit and camping instructions
North Absaroka Wilderness (Units 105/106) FAQ
- Are Units 105/106 the wilderness boundaries?
- That relationship is unconfirmed. Check the applicable unit definitions and wilderness boundary with the managing agency before planning an activity.
- Which trailhead should be used?
- No specific access point can be recommended here. Obtain a verified access map and confirm that the selected entry serves the intended route.
- When is the best time to visit?
- A destination-specific travel window has not been established. Base timing on current agency guidance and the requirements of the selected route.
- Are permits or reservations required?
- Confirm requirements directly with the managing agency for the intended activity and overnight plans. No specific permit or reservation requirement is established here.
- Are these ready-to-follow itineraries?
- No. They are planning outlines without verified routes, access points, or campsites. Complete those checks before using either outline to organize a trip.