Quick Tips
- Excellent fly fishing in the South Fork of the Snake River
- Black bears are common; buy a bear tag
- Some big deer and elk are taken here; consider buying tags
On The Ground
This unit is near the Wyoming line and borders the northwestern end of Palisades Reservoir and the west side of Swan Valley. Moose hunters can find mature bulls every year during a long season.
Some bulls exceed 40” in outside antler spread. A long season allows hunters to hunt elk or deer at the same time as moose.
Terrain
This area is mostly public land in the Caribou National Forest. Several long ridges run from the northwest to the southeast and are roughly parallel to each other, including Deadhorse Ridge, Lightning Ridge, Three Knolls, Fourth of July Ridge, Mahogany Ridge, Commissary Ridge, Lone Pine Ridge and Red Ridge. Most of the ridges run for several miles between 6,500 and 8,000 feet and are separated by creeks flowing 750 to 1,500 feet below them. A lot of the terrain is between 6,500 and 7,000 feet. Some slopes are steep, but most of them can be traversed by horse.
Roughly 163 square miles
96.4% public land
Elevations from 5,500-8,000 feet
Vegetation
Conifer forests cover most of the eastern, northeastern and northern faces of the mountains and ridges. Spruces, pines and firs are the main trees found here. Southern and western exposures are open, brushy slopes or grassy ridges. Sagebrush and serviceberry bushes are common on dry slopes, with chokecherries, elderberries and snowberries found in wetter soils. Forbs like balsamroot, lupine and dock with wild grasses grow in meadows and openings. Maple brush provides good cover and feed in places. Quaking aspens are common, typically growing in big groves.
Access
The main access in the east is by Bear Creek Road (Forest Road 58). Hunters can hike or ride horses west and northwest of this road to reach great moose habitat. A few other forest roads, including Forest Road 76 and Forest Road 279, provide access north of the dam. Forest Road 76 winds along the western side of Swan Valley and allows hunters to reach interior roads. The western part of the unit has several roads open to all vehicles, like Forest Road 75, Forest Road 376 and Forest Road 17. The only roads where hunters can drive motorcycles or ATVs are roads open to full-size vehicles. You can usually get maps online.
Hunters can drive ATVs only on roads built for full-size vehicles
Four-wheel-drive is recommended
Riding horses on motorcycle trails is a good way to cover lots of country fast
Camping and Lodging
Some hunters camp along Bear Creek Road or other forest roads. Hunters in the backcountry can camp almost anywhere. Calamity Campground on the west side of the reservoir has a loop that remains open after mid-September with campsites that have no services.
Nearby lodging options include:
Hansen Guest Ranch in Swan Valley
Sleepy J Cabins in Swan Valley
South Fork Lodge in Swan Valley
Rendezvous at the South Fork RV park in Swan Valley
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