Unit 90 Upper Greys River (Area 90)
Upper Greys River — the high, roadless headwaters of Wyoming Range Region G mule deer country.
Wyoming Range / Greys River · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
221
sq mi
Public land
97%
approx.
Elevation
6,600–11,300
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Hunt Area 90 takes in the upper Greys River drainage in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the high headwaters country reaching south and east toward the crest of the Wyoming Range and the Salt River Range. It is part of the famed Wyoming Range mule deer herd (deer Region G), one of the great trophy mule deer herds in North America — though repeated severe winters and drought have driven the herd well below objective and forced very conservative tag numbers. This is remote, timbered, high-alpine backcountry with excellent elk and a coveted Shiras moose resource, almost entirely national-forest public land reached from the long Greys River Road.
Terrain
High-elevation headwaters basins, timbered ridges and open alpine parks climbing to the Wyoming Range and Salt River Range crests, cut by the upper Greys River and its many tributary creeks.
Cover: Lodgepole, spruce-fir and whitebark pine on the slopes, aspen and willow in the drainages, extensive high mountain meadows and sagebrush parks, and alpine tundra above timberline.
Landmarks: Upper Greys River · Wyoming Range crest · Salt River Range · Greys River Road (FR 10138) · Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail
Access
No Union Pacific checkerboard — the southern-Wyoming checkerboard does not reach the Bridger-Teton. The unit is essentially all national forest, accessed up the long Greys River Road and via trailheads onto the Wyoming Range crest. Much of the high country is roadless and best reached on foot or horseback.
Managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF (Greys River Ranger District), WY state trust
Access points: Upper Greys River Road (FR 10138) · Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail trailheads · Side-canyon pack trails to the range crest
Species notes
Mule Deer
common trophyHeadwaters of the legendary Wyoming Range herd — a genuine trophy-buck resource, but currently below objective with tight limited-quota tags after hard winters. The best bucks summer in the high roadless basins before migrating far to low-elevation winter range.
- →Glass high alpine basins and timberline pockets at first and last light
- →Hike deep into roadless headwaters away from the road
- →Hunt aspen and timber transitions as storms move deer downhill
- →Go early — mature bucks leave for distant winter range with the first hard weather
Rocky Mountain Elk
abundant qualityThe upper Greys holds strong elk numbers in its dark timber and high meadows, with mature bulls in the backcountry basins.
- →Bugle meadow edges and timber pockets at dawn during the September rut
- →Work the roadless head of the drainage where pressure thins
- →Glass high parks in the evening for feeding herds
Moose
common qualityShiras moose browse the willow bottoms and riparian corridors of the upper Greys — a prized once-in-a-lifetime Wyoming tag.
- →Glass willow flats and beaver ponds morning and evening
- →Slow-hunt the willow-timber edges along the river and tributaries
Bighorn Sheep
limited qualityThe rugged crest of the Wyoming Range holds bighorn sheep along the high rock and alpine basins at the head of the drainage — a rare, extremely limited-draw resource.
- →Glass high rocky faces and alpine basins along the range crest
- →Expect long-range spotting and hard alpine access
Black Bear
common opportunityBlack bears feed in the aspen, berry patches and avalanche chutes. This is grizzly-occupied country — bear ID and bear-aware practices are essential.
- →Glass green avalanche slides and berry basins in late summer
- →Confirm species before any shot and carry bear spray
Cougar
common opportunityMountain lions track deer and elk through the steep timber; chiefly a winter pursuit resource.
- →Cut tracks on snowy roads and ridges
- →Hunt rugged canyon country holding wintering deer
Pro tips
- →Limited-quota deer only — check current Region G quotas; this is a draw hunt, not a general tag.
- →Get deep and high — the trophy bucks and unpressured bulls live in the roadless headwaters.
- →Hunt the early window before mature bucks migrate off to distant winter range.
- →Treat this as grizzly country: bear spray, clean camp, and positive bear ID.
- →Plan for the road going impassable — carry extra fuel, food and a weather plan.
Watch out for
- !Wyoming Range deer herd is below objective — expect low tag numbers and thinner deer densities than the reputation implies.
- !Grizzly bears occupy the upper Bridger-Teton; camp and hunt bear-aware.
- !Greys River Road can drift shut or wash out, stranding hunters deep in the drainage.
- !Big vertical and long roadless distances demand real fitness and pack-out logistics.
- !Fire and drought closures can affect access in late summer and early fall.
Logistics
Afton and Alpine in Star Valley are the nearest bases for fuel, lodging and groceries; Jackson is the closest airport. Access is the long Greys River Road up-drainage — hours of graded gravel that turns greasy in rain and drifts shut with early snow. This is a country for horses or heavy backpacking into the roadless high basins.
Nearest towns: Afton, Alpine, Big Piney, LaBarge, Jackson
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Wyoming sources:
Research sources: WGFD Deer Hunt Planner · WGFD 2024 Deer Hunt Areas map · WGFD Wyoming Range Deer Surveyed · Bridger-Teton National Forest
FAQ
- How big is Unit 90 in Wyoming?
- Unit 90 (Upper Greys River (Area 90)) covers about 221 square miles, ranging from roughly 6,600 to 11,300 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 90?
- Approximately 97% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Bridger-Teton NF (Greys River Ranger District), WY state trust. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 90?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, 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 90 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.