Unit 25 South Pass (Area 25)
Historic Continental Divide desert-to-foothill country with a small, weather-driven elk herd on mostly public ground.
South Pass / Oregon Buttes (southern Wind River foothills, Red Desert edge) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,215
sq mi
Public land
84%
approx.
Elevation
5,000–8,700
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Area 25 covers the South Pass country at the southern tip of the Wind River Range, where the high plains and Red Desert meet timbered buttes and draws along the Continental Divide near the famous Oregon/Mormon/California Trail crossing. It runs roughly 84 percent public, largely BLM and Wyoming state trust, with a small but healthy elk herd that shifts with weather and forage between the timbered western pockets and the open sage. Pronghorn are the volume game across the surrounding flats, with mule deer in the breaks and mountain-shrub.
Terrain
Rolling high-plains desert and sage basins broken by timbered buttes, draws and the foothill fringe of the southern Wind River Range along the Continental Divide.
Cover: Sagebrush-grass and desert shrub across the basins, with aspen, conifer and mountain-shrub pockets on the buttes and higher draws.
Landmarks: South Pass · South Pass City / Atlantic City · Oregon Buttes · Continental Divide · Sweetwater River · Oregon Trail corridor · WY Highway 28
Access
Expansive BLM and state land (BLM Lander/Rock Springs field offices) makes much of the unit accessible, but elk concentrate in the timbered western pockets and access can pinch where private ranch and state inholdings sit between public parcels. Verify section lines and honor corner-crossing rules; scattered private around the historic mining districts and ranches deserves attention.
Managers: BLM, WY state trust, private ranch
Access points: WY Highway 28 over South Pass · BLM roads toward Oregon Buttes and the Sweetwater country · county/two-track roads out of Atlantic City and South Pass City · Continental Divide / CDT trail corridor
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited qualityA small but very healthy herd holds in the timbered western buttes and foothill pockets, migrating with weather and food; limited tags and rugged draws make for a quality hunt for those who draw.
- →Focus the timbered western pockets and higher draws where elk concentrate
- →Glass timber edges and parks at dawn and dusk
- →Let a storm push elk down and stay mobile
- →Cover ground away from the road corridors
Pronghorn
abundant qualityPronghorn are the volume species across the sage basins and Red Desert edge on largely accessible public land.
- →Glass long from butte tops across the flats
- →Spot-and-stalk using terrain folds and dry washes
- →Check water and two-tracks in midday heat
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer use the rough breaks, buttes and mountain-shrub between the sage and timber.
- →Glass rocky draws and shrub benches
- →Work the sage-to-timber edge morning and evening
- →Still-hunt aspen and conifer stringers
Pro tips
- →Hunt the timbered western buttes and pockets, that is where the elk live, not the open flats.
- →Stay mobile and let weather move animals; this is a shifting, migratory herd.
- →Verify section lines around the historic districts and ranches to avoid trespass.
- →Carry traction gear, water and extra fuel; services and cell coverage are thin.
- →The Oregon Trail and South Pass history make for a memorable, low-crowd backdrop, plan for wind.
Watch out for
- !Private ranch and state inholdings that pinch access between public parcels; confirm section lines and corner-crossing.
- !Fierce wind, early snow and gumbo clay roads along the Divide.
- !Very remote with minimal services and poor cell coverage.
- !Rattlesnakes and early-season fire danger on the desert flats.
Logistics
Lander to the north and Rock Springs to the south are the practical supply bases; Atlantic City and South Pass City are tiny historic settlements with minimal services. This is remote, exposed high desert with poor cell coverage; carry water, extra fuel and recovery gear, and expect long two-track drives. High-clearance/4WD recommended off the highway.
Nearest towns: Lander, Atlantic City, South Pass City, Farson, Rock Springs
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT Wyoming Elk Unit 25 (South Pass) Profile · WGFD Elk Hunt Planner · BLM Wyoming Public Room Hunt Maps
FAQ
- How big is Unit 25 in Wyoming?
- Unit 25 (South Pass (Area 25)) covers about 1,215 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 8,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 25?
- Approximately 84% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, WY state trust, private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 25?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Pronghorn, Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 25 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.