Unit 314 Camping

Rie bread · Aug 31, 2021

Hi everyone new member and new to Montana elk hunting. Experienced deer hunter and stout backpacker. I was lucky enough to find a left over cow elk tag for 314.

Iv spent lots of time in the Wisdom area fly fishing but not so much over in the paradise valley area. I’m headed out for the general rifle season.

My main question is if anyone had a recommendations for a campground or two for accessing 314. I understand many amenities are shut off or closed so I’m prepared for that and proper waste disposal. As well as the camp day limits (16?). Mainly concerned with a campground with shelter from the wind in the valley.

Stoked to explore a new valley/range and experience the Montana elk season. Any other thoughts or tips are welcome. I’m Very bear aware.

Hnttillmt · Sep 1, 2021

Get out of the wind in paradise valley? Hahahaha . Not to be a Debbie downer but the access on that side of the valley is pretty locked up. The few access points there are are heavily utilized. For camping I would look into yankee Jim canyon or somewhere in the Gardiner basin. Less wind up there. Or mill ck.

Rie bread · Sep 1, 2021

Thank you for the camping tips! Yeah the one thing I remember other than the beauty was the wind haha!

Hnttillmt · Sep 2, 2021

Try living in Livingston! Wish I could share better advice but between the Bozeman crowd and the access I hunt elsewhere.

Rie bread · Sep 2, 2021

can’t be to picky about left overs haha. Thank you for the camping tips. I mainly just wanna get out for the experience. I’m really hoping next year I’ll draw a license and be able to go hunt other units.

Is accessing the zone from the gallatin worth it? Particularly the upper elevations?

MTunderRadar · Sep 2, 2021

Not much wind in the pool or bar at Chico HotSprings.

Rie bread · Sep 2, 2021

MTunderRadar said:
Not much wind in the pool or bar at Chico HotSprings.

my wife and daughter are flying out in November and we defiantly will have to hot spring and pool time

Hnttillmt · Sep 3, 2021

If it’s not windy I prefer Yellowstone hot springs. But there is no bar and food offerings like Chico. I don’t think you would be better off trying to come from the gallatin side. I have hunted the windy pass area in September looking for a big bull but I wouldn’t be trying that in November looking for a cow.

Rie bread · Sep 3, 2021

the 314-00 tag is good for the general season antlerless. windy pass was one of the areas i was looking at hiking into. not worth it even in early rifle season? seemed like a good point to access that long ridge toward hylite.

yellowstone hot spring is on the list. last time i drove through to go a hot spring near yellowstone the river was to high.

Hnttillmt · Sep 4, 2021

I guess if there’s been no snow then perhaps but I still wouldn’t think it’s a good option.

Rie bread · Sep 4, 2021

thank you for all the help Hnttillmt. i’ll let you know when we are at the bar in chico!

Rie bread · Nov 11, 2021

been a great trip and successful.
the yankee jim campground is a good spot for accessing the south end of the unit. paradise is a good spot for when the wind isn’t to bad and very central to the few trailheads.