Unit 233 Wasatch Mtns, Provo Peak
The roaded south end of the Wasatch — Provo Peak goats, trophy bulls and the unit's most drivable high country
Central Utah — Wasatch Front, Provo Peak / Hobble Creek · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
214
sq mi
Public land
82%
approx.
Elevation
4,600–11,068
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
This is the Provo Peak block of Utah's Wasatch Mountains trophy unit, east of Provo and Springville, anchored by 11,068-ft Provo Peak and neighboring Cascade Mountain. Compared with the wilderness-locked north end, this Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest country is the most road-accessible piece of the unit, with the Squaw Peak Road, Rock Canyon, Hobble Creek and Diamond Fork corridors opening the high benches. It holds once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain goats, trophy limited-entry bull elk, quality mule deer, and scattered moose.
Terrain
Steep Wasatch relief from the Utah Valley floor near 4,600 ft to Provo Peak (11,068 ft) and Cascade Mountain (10,908 ft), but with more rolling timbered plateau and roaded benches on the east side than the granite north end.
Cover: Gambel oak and maple brush on the foothills and Rock Canyon walls; aspen and mixed conifer across the mid-elevation benches; subalpine fir and spruce near timberline; alpine grass, rock and scree on the peaks.
Landmarks: Provo Peak (11,068 ft) · Cascade Mountain (10,908 ft) · Squaw Peak / Rock Canyon · Hobble Creek Canyon · Diamond Fork / Spanish Fork Canyon · Y Mountain
Access
Heavily National Forest with far better motorized access than the north sub-units — Squaw Peak Road (FR-027), Hobble Creek/Right Fork and Diamond Fork roads reach the timbered high benches. No large wilderness blocks here, though steep roadless heads remain. Private land and homes fill the canyon mouths at Provo, Springville and Mapleton; Utah County discharge restrictions apply near the bench.
Managers: USFS Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF, private, SITLA
Access points: Squaw Peak Road (Provo Canyon side) · Rock Canyon trailhead (Provo) · Hobble Creek Canyon (Springville) · Diamond Fork / Spanish Fork Canyon (US-6) · Y Mountain trailhead
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common trophyPart of the trophy-managed Wasatch Mountains limited-entry elk unit (320-340+ bulls yearly). The Provo Peak / Hobble Creek country carries good elk numbers and, thanks to road access, is a favorite for those who want to cover ground.
- →Glass aspen benches and meadow edges off Squaw Peak Road at first light
- →Hunt the timbered heads of Hobble Creek and Diamond Fork during the rut
- →Use the road network to locate bulls, then hike into roadless pockets away from pressure
Mule Deer
common qualityQuality Wasatch mule deer, with the famed late muzzleloader hunt (170-inch potential, high success). The oak-brush foothills above Provo and Springville are classic migration and late-season ground.
- →Glass alpine and timberline basins on Provo Peak and Cascade early season
- →Work the oak-maple foothills during migration and late hunts
- →Still-hunt Rock Canyon and Hobble Creek maple pockets after a cold snap
Mountain Goat
common trophyA once-in-a-lifetime species — established herds occupy Provo Peak and Cascade Mountain. A high, physical hunt for one of Utah's most coveted tags.
- →Glass the Provo Peak and Cascade summit ridges and cliff bands from the Squaw Peak Road benches
- →Approach on foot from the high road access to shorten the alpine climb
- →Take shots above stable footing to recover goats off steep terrain
Moose
limited qualityA once-in-a-lifetime Shiras moose species in Utah, present in modest numbers in the willow bottoms and aspen of Hobble Creek and Diamond Fork.
- →Hunt willow bottoms and beaver ponds in Hobble Creek and Diamond Fork at dawn/dusk
- →Glass aspen stands adjacent to water
- →Move slowly through thick riparian cover
Cougar
common opportunityStrong deer numbers on the Provo-area foothills support healthy cougar populations.
- →Cut tracks on Squaw Peak Road and ridge saddles after fresh snow
- →Focus deer wintering benches above Provo and Springville
- →Houndsmen work Rock Canyon and Hobble Creek drainages
Pro tips
- →This is the most road-accessible slice of the Wasatch trophy unit — use Squaw Peak, Hobble Creek and Diamond Fork roads to glass efficiently, then hike off them for pressured animals
- →Elk and goat are draw-only trophy/once-in-a-lifetime tags — build points and confirm your sub-unit boundary
- →Confirm Utah County firearm-discharge boundaries near the Provo/Springville bench
- →Late muzzleloader deer is the standout opportunity — pattern the oak-brush migration corridors
- →Popular canyons see heavy recreation traffic; hunt weekdays and get away from the road for solitude
Watch out for
- !Firearm-discharge restrictions near the populated Provo/Springville/Mapleton bench
- !Private inholdings and homes at every canyon mouth — respect posted land and access points
- !Heavy non-hunting recreation on Squaw Peak Road, Rock Canyon and Hobble Creek
- !High roads can close or become impassable with early October snow
- !Steep alpine terrain and rockfall on Provo Peak and Cascade — the real hazard on goat hunts
Logistics
Provo and the Utah Valley metro sit right at the base — full lodging, fuel, gear and outfitters minutes from the trailheads, with better road access than any other part of this trophy unit. You can base in town, drive high on Squaw Peak Road, and still reach alpine goat and elk country. Expect company on the popular roads and trailheads.
Nearest towns: Provo, Springville, Orem, Mapleton, Spanish Fork
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Utah sources:
Research sources: UDWR Mountain Goat Unit Management Plan — Wasatch and Central Mountains · UDWR Elk Herd Unit Management Plan #17 — Wasatch Mountains · GOHUNT — Utah Wasatch Mtns Limited Entry Elk Unit Profile
FAQ
- How big is Unit 233 in Utah?
- Unit 233 (Wasatch Mtns, Provo Peak) covers about 214 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,600 to 11,068 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 233?
- Approximately 82% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF, private, SITLA. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 233?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Goat, Moose, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Utah agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 233 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.