Unit 56 Wapiti Ridge (Area 56)
Wapiti Ridge — North Fork Shoshone elk country in the rugged Absarokas west of Cody
Absaroka Range / Cody Country · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
473
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
6,000–12,000
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Area 56 is classic Cody-region mountain elk country straddling the North Fork of the Shoshone River between Cody and Yellowstone's east gate. It covers the drainage of the North Fork below Sweetwater Creek and above Jim Creek, the south North Fork below Elk Fork, and the north and west South Fork drainages down to Ishawooa Creek. This is steep, timbered Shoshone National Forest backing onto the North Absaroka and Washakie Wilderness, part of the Cody elk herd that sits above management objective. Elk are the marquee quarry, hunted horseback or backpack in high, broken terrain. This is grizzly country.
Terrain
Deep, narrow river valleys climbing to towering volcanic Absaroka peaks and ridges. Rough and steep throughout with limited road access; upper country is grassy meadows, open rocky faces and pine pockets, mid-elevations heavily timbered.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass on lower valley benches, dense lodgepole and spruce-fir timber on mid-slopes, subalpine meadows and rocky alpine faces up high.
Landmarks: North Fork Shoshone River · US 14/16/20 (North Fork Highway) · Elk Fork Creek · Sweetwater Creek · North Absaroka Wilderness boundary · Shoshone National Forest
Access
Overwhelmingly public Shoshone National Forest, with private ranch inholdings along the North Fork Highway corridor and river bottoms. Designated wilderness (North Absaroka, Washakie) makes up much of the backcountry: nonresidents must be accompanied by a licensed outfitter or a resident guide to hunt within wilderness. No checkerboard here. Trailheads run off the North Fork Highway; most quality hunting is a horseback or backpack push away from the road.
Managers: USFS Shoshone NF, private ranch
Access points: US 14/16/20 North Fork Highway trailheads · Elk Fork trailhead · Sweetwater Creek access · Forest Service pack trails into the Absaroka high country
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityThe headline quarry. Part of the Cody elk herd, which runs above objective, so cow opportunity is liberal and general bull hunting is available. Elk hold in high timber and meadows early and migrate through as snow builds.
- →Hunt horseback or backpack away from the North Fork Highway
- →Work high timbered basins and meadow edges early season
- →Time later hunts to snow that pushes elk down the drainages
- →Glass open faces at first and last light, then still-hunt the timber
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer inhabit the sage benches, timber pockets and high basins throughout the drainage, offering a solid backcountry opportunity alongside elk.
- →Glass high open faces and meadow edges morning and evening
- →Look for bucks in subalpine pockets before season snow
- →Still-hunt timbered north slopes on mid-day
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe Absarokas hold bighorn sheep on the high rocky faces and ridges. A rare, coveted, limited-quota tag with genuine trophy quality for those who draw.
- →Glass high rock faces, cliffs and alpine benches
- →Plan a committed backcountry effort with horses or a heavy pack
- →Scout escape terrain and feeding basins well before season
Moose
limited qualityShiras moose use the willow bottoms and riparian drainages of the North and South Fork. A limited-quota, once-in-a-lifetime-style tag when available.
- →Hunt willow flats and beaver-pond riparian bottoms
- →Glass creek drainages at dawn and dusk
- →Move slow and still-hunt the thick riparian cover
Pro tips
- →Plan on horses or a hard backpack — the good elk country is well off the highway
- →Time later hunts to snow that triggers the migration down the drainages
- →Carry bear spray and practice strict grizzly-country food and carcass hygiene
- →Nonresidents must have an outfitter or resident guide for the wilderness portions
- →Watch the weather window closely; high passes and trails get dangerous fast in snow
Watch out for
- !Active grizzly country — carry bear spray and manage meat carefully
- !Designated wilderness accompaniment rule for nonresidents
- !Private ranch inholdings along the North Fork Highway and river bottoms
- !Sudden high-elevation storms and early snow on steep pack trails
- !Steep, remote terrain — pack-out logistics and injury risk are real
Logistics
Cody is the full-service hub with lodging, fuel, groceries, restaurants and sporting goods, roughly a half-hour to an hour from most North Fork trailheads. Wapiti has limited services along the highway. Backcountry hunts typically require horses or a serious backpack; many hunters use local outfitters. Weather turns fast in the high Absarokas.
Nearest towns: Cody, Wapiti, Meeteetse
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT Wyoming Elk Unit 56 - Wapiti Ridge · HuntScore Wyoming Hunt Area 56 - Wapiti Ridge · WGFD 2025 Wyoming hunt forecast
FAQ
- How big is Unit 56 in Wyoming?
- Unit 56 (Wapiti Ridge (Area 56)) covers about 473 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 56?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Shoshone NF, private ranch. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 56?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Moose. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 56 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.