Unit 68 Warm Springs (Area 68)
The roaded east slope above Dubois — big timbered elk country without the wilderness lockout.
Absaroka / Upper Wind River · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
215
sq mi
Public land
80%
approx.
Elevation
7,000–12,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Hunt Area 68 covers the mountains northwest of Dubois on the upper Wind River, climbing off U.S. 26/287 and the Wind River Indian Reservation boundary into the Shoshone National Forest toward the Absaroka front and the DuNoir. Unlike the wilderness units to the south, very little of Area 68 is designated wilderness, so it draws DIY hunters who want good forest-road access and still plenty of country to slip away from a trailhead. Rocky Mountain elk are the marquee animal, with a strong mule deer and moose presence and bighorn sheep on the high crags.
Terrain
Gently contoured sage-and-meadow foothills along the valley floor rising to steep, rugged timbered slopes and alpine basins, with timberline near 10,000 feet and the Absaroka volcanic peaks beyond.
Cover: Grassy and sage-covered meadows mixed with Douglas fir and aspen at low and middle elevations; thick spruce-fir forest, whitebark pine, grassy slopes, meadows and alpine basins up high.
Landmarks: Warm Springs Creek · DuNoir Special Management Area · Wind River (upper) · Absaroka Range front · Ramshorn Peak
Access
No Union Pacific checkerboard this far north. Most of the unit is national forest with good graded and two-track road access; the southern boundary abuts the Wind River Indian Reservation, which is closed to non-tribal hunting, and the valley bottom along U.S. 26/287 is a ribbon of private ranch. Respect the reservation line and secure permission on deeded valley ground.
Managers: USFS Shoshone NF (Wind River Ranger District), private ranch, BLM
Access points: Forest roads off U.S. 26/287 west of Dubois · Warm Springs Creek / Long Creek roads · DuNoir area trailheads · Union Pass Road corridor
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityElk range throughout the unit from timbered benches to alpine basins; the good road access makes this a popular general-country hunt, and bulls can be respectable once you get above the pressure.
- →Locate bugling bulls at dawn in the spruce-fir and hunt the timber edges
- →Push higher into alpine basins away from roaded pressure
- →Glass sage-and-aspen meadows on the low benches morning and evening
- →Consider horses to reach the back pockets efficiently
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer hold the aspen-and-sage foothills and high open slopes; the upper Wind River country grows some good bucks that summer high and drop as weather pushes them.
- →Glass open sage-and-aspen faces at first and last light
- →Hunt high basins and rimrock early in the season before deer migrate
- →Watch for post-storm movement down the drainages
Moose
common qualityShiras moose browse the willow bottoms along Warm Springs Creek, the DuNoir and the upper Wind River — a coveted once-in-a-lifetime draw here.
- →Work willow-choked creek bottoms and beaver complexes at dawn and dusk
- →Glass wet meadows and riparian edges
- →Move slowly and quietly along water
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyRams from the Whiskey Mountain complex range the high crags and cliff country on the unit's upper reaches; a highly coveted, hard-to-draw hunt.
- →Glass high cliff bands and alpine benches from a distance
- →Be prepared for steep, technical high-country travel
- →Scout well before the season
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears work the aspen and berry slopes; this is also occupied grizzly range, so identification and bear-aware camp practices are mandatory.
- →Glass green aspen draws and berry patches in early fall
- →Assume grizzlies are present — carry spray and hang meat
- →Never leave a downed animal unattended overnight
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions follow the deer and elk through the timber and rimrock; primarily a winter pursuit-season resource.
- →Cut fresh tracks after snow on forest roads
- →Focus on rugged deer-holding drainages
Pro tips
- →This unit's edge is access — with little wilderness you can drive close, so hunt where others won't walk
- →Get above the roaded corridor early; the pressure stays low on the alpine benches
- →Know exactly where the Wind River Reservation boundary runs — it is closed and unforgiving
- →This is grizzly country: carry spray, hunt with a partner, and manage meat and camp accordingly
- →Bring or hire horses to pack out of the steep upper basins
Watch out for
- !Wind River Indian Reservation boundary along the south — closed to non-tribal hunting
- !Occupied grizzly bear range
- !Private ranch inholdings along the U.S. 26/287 valley floor
- !Early high-country snow and slick roads
- !Steep, rugged terrain at elevation
Logistics
Dubois sits right at the mouth of the unit with fuel, groceries, lodging and outfitters; Riverton and Lander are the nearest larger towns for full services and a hospital. Forest roads are decent when dry but turn slick and can hold early snow at elevation.
Nearest towns: Dubois, Lander, Riverton, Jackson
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Wyoming Elk Unit 68 (Warm Springs) · WGFD Hunt Planner · Shoshone National Forest (USFS)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 68 in Wyoming?
- Unit 68 (Warm Springs (Area 68)) covers about 215 square miles, ranging from roughly 7,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 68?
- Approximately 80% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Shoshone NF (Wind River Ranger District), private ranch, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 68?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Black Bear, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Wyoming agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 68 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.