Area 5 is the Thorofare — the most remote area in the contiguous United States and arguably the finest elk hunting destination in Wyoming. The unit encompasses the upper Yellowstone River drainage southeast of Yellowstone Lake, the headwaters of the Thorofare Creek, and the Absaroka Range divide. Elevations run from 7,800 feet on the Yellowstone River bottoms to over 12,000 feet on the Absaroka peaks. The valley floor is a mix of lodgepole forest, willow-choked meadows, and open grasslands that elk use as a superhighway during fall migration out of the park. Higher up, spruce-fir and whitebark pine give way to alpine tundra and the jagged volcanic peaks that define the Absaroka skyline. The Thorofare is grizzly bear central — this area has one of the highest densities of grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Getting here is a project. The shortest route is roughly 30 miles by trail from the nearest road, whether you approach from the Yellowstone Lake trailhead at the South Arm or from the east via the Shoshone NF trailheads off the South Fork road near Cody. Most hunters pack in on horseback for 8-10 day trips, and outfitters are common here because the logistics are genuinely demanding. The Teton Wilderness and Washakie Wilderness surround the area, keeping it wild and motor-free. There is zero cell service, zero vehicle access, and if something goes wrong, help is days away. Weather is severe — snow arrives early, temperatures drop to single digits by late October, and the high passes can become impassable. What you get in exchange is world-class elk hunting in true wilderness. Migrating Yellowstone bulls stack up in the Thorofare meadows during the rut, and if you time it right, the bugling is nonstop. This is a bucket-list hunt for a reason. Area 5 is the Thorofare — widely considered the most remote place in the contiguous United States. The geographic point farthest from any road in the lower 48 is within this unit, near the headwaters of the Yellowstone River in the Teton Wilderness. Let that sink in: you are farther from a road here than anywhere else in the lower 48 states. The unit covers the upper Yellowstone River drainage, the Thorofare Plateau, and the southeast corner of Yellowstone National Park's boundary (you cannot hunt in the park). The Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Teton Wilderness encompass the unit. Access is a multi-day horseback ride from trailheads at Turpin Meadows (south, off Buffalo Valley Road near Moran) or Ishawooa Pass from the Cody side (east). There are no roads. There are no shortcuts. Most hunting camps are 20-30 miles from the nearest trailhead. Outfitter operations dominate — the USFS allocates specific wilderness camp permits to licensed outfitters, and competition for these permits is fierce. If you want to hunt the Thorofare without an outfitter, you need your own stock (horses and mules), extensive wilderness travel experience, and the ability to be entirely self-sufficient for 7-14 days. The elk hunting is legendary: the unit holds the southern Yellowstone elk herd during fall migration, and the combination of remote terrain and limited access produces exceptional bull quality. Bugling during archery season in the Thorofare is one of the premier hunting experiences on the planet. But the logistics are no joke: river crossings on the Yellowstone can be dangerous at high water, trails are rough and often blocked by deadfall, and grizzly bear density is extremely high. Every camp must be bear-proof — hard-sided panniers, electric fence around camp, food hung or stored in bear-proof containers. Weather at 8,000-10,000 feet in September and October ranges from pleasant to life-threatening. Snow can strand you for days. Satellite communication is essential. There is no cell service, no emergency vehicle access, and helicopter evacuation in bad weather may not be possible. This is not a "hard hunt" — it is a genuine wilderness expedition. Plan accordingly or hire someone who knows the country.