Winegar Hole Wilderness

The 10,715 acres of the Winegar Hole Wilderness Area were set aside by Congress in 1984 specifically as high quality grizzly bear habitat. The wilderness is close to the Idaho-Wyoming state line on the south side of Yellowstone National Park. The landscape is mostly volcanic in origin with low rolling hills, meadows, streams and numerous wetlands. Most of the area is covered with a forest of Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and other subalpine firs. There is one short trail across the wilderness that leads straight into Yellowstone National Park (camping permit required and no dogs or guns allowed). And except for that one trail, there are no others in order to provide maximum security for the grizzlies who call this countryside their home.

The northern boundary of Winegar Hole Wilderness is against Yellowstone National Park, the southern boundary against Grand Teton National Park and the eastern boundary close to the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Highway.