3-D satellite terrain of Unit 80, served by Wayward — the free iPhone GPS app from the people behind Sleeper Units. Drag to turn, scroll or pinch to zoom. Get Wayward and the whole unit rides on your phone, offline.
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Area 80 covers the Bear River Divide and the mountains between Evanston and Kemmerer in far southwestern Wyoming—a transitional landscape of aspen-covered mountains, sage basins, and high-altitude rangeland near the Utah and Idaho borders. Elevations range from about 6,500 feet in the Bear River valley to 9,500 feet on the mountain ridges. The mountains carry open aspen forests with scattered conifers, grassy parks, and sage-covered slopes. The lower country is sagebrush, irrigated hay meadows, and scattered agricultural land along the Bear River and Hams Fork. The terrain is gentler than the ranges to the north—rolling mountain ridges rather than jagged peaks. Elk and mule deer inhabit the aspen mountains, and pronghorn work the sage basins.
BLM, Bridger-Teton NF fringes, state trust, and private ranch land share the landscape. US-30, WY-89, and county roads provide access. Evanston and Kemmerer are the supply towns with full basic services. Cell service is good along the highways. This is understated hunting country—it lacks the dramatic scenery and reputation of the Absarokas or Wind Rivers, but it produces solid elk and deer hunting at accessible elevations without extreme terrain. The aspen-and-sage country is pleasant to walk and easy to glass. Mule deer bucks in the sage breaks can be genuinely big, and the elk herd benefits from the relatively low hunting pressure. The proximity to Utah and Idaho means some cross-border hunter traffic, but the area doesn't appear on most out-of-state hunters' radar. Late-fall weather is cold and windy but rarely dumps the paralyzing snow that buries the higher ranges. This is a practical, meat-hunter's unit that rewards knowledge of the terrain over peak athletic performance.
Area 80 near Evanston and Kemmerer in far southwestern Wyoming is an underrated elk and mule deer unit where nonresident tags typically require 1-3 preference points — one of the easier draws in western Wyoming. No wilderness designations apply, and no grizzly bears are present. The land is a mix of BLM, Bridger-Teton NF fringes, state trust, and private ranch, with good public-land access on the BLM and state parcels. The area is known for producing quality mule deer in the aspen-sage breaks (170-190 class bucks) and solid elk hunting without the competitive draw or rugged terrain of the more famous ranges to the north. The proximity to the Utah and Idaho borders means some cross-state hunter traffic, but overall pressure remains moderate. The gentle, rolling mountain terrain makes this one of the most physically accessible elk units in western Wyoming — a strong option for older hunters or those with physical limitations who still want a western elk experience.
Unit Stats
Hunting Season Temps (3-yr avg)
Sep
62°
41°
Oct
46°
28°
Nov
31°
16°
Dec
25°
13°
Jan
23°
11°
Feb
22°
10°
Recent Trophy Scores · 2020–2025
Trophy score data is tracked by county, so the overlap with GMU boundaries is approximate. These numbers tell you whether the area is capable of growing big animals — they do not indicate public vs. private land. Big elk can come from anywhere; most elk in the lower 48 trace back to Yellowstone stock that was transplanted west after the species was nearly extirpated in the early 1900s.
County
Species
Method
Count
Avg Score
Top Score
Teton
Elk
Archery
2
310
320
Teton
Elk
Rifle
1
364
364
Teton
Pronghorn
Archery
1
70
70
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Nearest Towns
Afton
Full services: gas, groceries (Broulim's), lodging, medical clinic. Star Valley hub.
Big Piney / Marbleton
Small towns; gas, groceries, lodging. Gateway to Wyoming Range.
LaBarge
Small town; gas, basic supplies. Access to southern Wyoming Range.
Kemmerer
Full services: gas, groceries, lodging, medical clinic. Southern gateway.
Alpine
Small town; gas, lodging, restaurants. Snake River corridor; junction of US-26 and US-89.
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Campgrounds
Swift Creek Campground
USFS (Bridger-Teton NF)
Near Afton; 12 sites; 6,700 ft; Salt River Range access.
Alfred Flat Campground
USFS (Bridger-Teton NF)
Greys River Road; 26 sites; 6,200 ft; popular hunting camp.
Lynx Creek Campground
USFS (Bridger-Teton NF)
Greys River Road; 15 sites; 6,400 ft; good elk country.
Middle Piney Lake Campground
USFS (Bridger-Teton NF)
Near Big Piney; 6 sites; 8,000 ft; trailhead into Wyoming Range.
Sacajawea Campground
USFS (Bridger-Teton NF)
Greys River; 26 sites; 6,400 ft; near forest boundary.
Dispersed camping
USFS (Bridger-Teton NF) / BLM
Widely available along Greys River Road and Wyoming Range forest roads.
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Statewide Outfitters & Directories
These outfitters operate statewide or in multiple regions. Check each one's website to confirm they cover Unit 80.