Utah Mountain Goat

Unit High Uintas East (High Uintas — East)

Utah Hunting Guide — Mountain Goat

The High Uintas East mountain goat unit covers the eastern half of Utah's Uinta Mountains — the highest range in the state, topping out at 13,528-foot Kings Peak. The unit is dominated by the Ashley National Forest and the High Uintas Wilderness, with glacially carved basins, exposed granite ridgelines, and alpine lake country above 11,000 feet. Mountain goats here are transplants from the Tushar Mountains and have established a healthy, self-sustaining population in the Red Castle, Kings Peak, and Burro Peak cirques.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit High Uintas East

Where to Find High Uintas East Goats

Goats here occupy the highest alpine cirques and granite rimrock in Utah. Expect to hunt entirely above 10,500 feet.

Red Castle Basin

The Red Castle Lakes basin and the ridges connecting to Wilson Peak hold the highest-density goat groups in the unit. Access via Henrys Fork trailhead with an 8–10 mile pack-in.

Kings Peak Cirque

The cirque north of Kings Peak and the talus slopes of Gilbert Peak consistently hold resident goats. Approach via Henrys Fork or the longer Uinta River trail.

Burro Peak / Dollar Lake

Smaller goat pockets in the Burro Peak and Dollar Lake country offer alternatives with slightly less pressure. Plan 10+ mile pack-ins from trailheads.

How to Hunt High Uintas East Goats

This hunt demands mountaineering fitness and wilderness camping competence. Plan for 7–10 days in the backcountry.

Pack-In Base Camp Strategy

Establish a base camp at an alpine lake (Red Castle, Dollar Lake, or Atwood) and hunt from there. Horses or llamas make this feasible for heavier gear; foot-packing is viable for experienced backpackers.

Summer Scouting and Photo Work

UDWR publishes goat classification survey data. Cross-reference with high-resolution imagery and ideally visit the unit in July or August to identify mature billies in specific basins.

Glass High, Shoot from Above

Goats spend most of the day in high-cirque feeding areas. Glass from the highest vantages available at dawn. Shots are often across drainages at 200–600 yards — confirm rifle accuracy to 500+ yards.

Weather Windows

September snow and lightning are real killers at 12,000 feet. Hunt in weather windows, retreat when storms roll in, and never push through exposed ridgelines during afternoon thunderstorms.

Pro Members Only

Unlock detailed High Uintas East goat tactics

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Mountain Goat Success Rates

Rifle65%

Utah mountain goat any-legal-weapon hunts average 80–95% success — the High Uintas East is consistent with that statewide range. Billy quality is solid with 9- to 10-inch horns common and occasional 10+ inchers. The physical demand of the hunt is the primary limiter, not goat availability.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	130	0.8%	12

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

High Uintas East mountain goat is a once-in-a-lifetime Utah tag drawn under UDWR's weighted bonus-point system — half random, half weighted bonus (each point adds one chance, not squared). With roughly 1,060 applicants over three years for only 2 tags (raw odds ~0.2%), this is among the hardest goat draws in the West. Most successful applicants hold 20+ bonus points. Nonresident allocation is capped at 10% — effectively zero to one tag every several years.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

🚐

RV Sites

Trailhead campgrounds only. No interior RV access.

⛺

Camp Sites

Developed trailhead campgrounds (Henrys Fork, Ashley Twin Lakes). Dispersed wilderness camping throughout — follow Leave No Trace.

💧

Water

Abundant. Alpine lakes, streams, and snowfield runoff throughout. Treat all water.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Paved to trailheads (Henrys Fork, Uinta River, Yellowstone). All interior travel is wilderness — foot or stock only.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Severe. Alpine travel above 11,000 feet with glacial moraine, loose talus, and exposed granite. Altitude affects most hunters.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Near zero — the physical barrier to entry keeps casual hunters out. You will likely have entire basins to yourself.

🌦️

Weather

September days 45–65°F, nights can drop below freezing. Daily afternoon thunderstorms. Snow possible any day of the hunt; 6–12 inch storms not unusual in late September.

📱

Cell Service

None. Carry a satellite communicator and establish check-in times.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Mountain View WY for the Henrys Fork approach; Vernal for Uinta River and southern access.

Note: Arrange outfitter pack support early — good horse packers book months in advance during goat season. File a detailed trip plan with a non-hunting contact. Build altitude fitness in the weeks before the hunt.

Pro Members Only

Unlock full logistics for High Uintas East goat

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt High Uintas East goat without horse support?

Yes, but plan on 60+ pound packs and 10–15 miles on foot from most trailheads. Experienced backpackers do it every year. Horse or llama support makes it accessible to hunters who aren't long-distance backpackers.

Can I carry a firearm in the High Uintas Wilderness during the goat season?

Yes. Legal hunting with firearms is allowed in wilderness areas during open seasons. The wilderness designation restricts motorized/mechanized travel, not hunting methods.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

Utah Mountain Goat Statewide Management Plan — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: High Uintas East supports ~150–200 goats across Red Castle, Kings Peak, and Burro Peak basins, Established via transplants in the 1980s; population considered stable · accessed 2026-04-17
Ashley NF and High Uintas Wilderness — Recreation and Travel Management — USDA Forest Service — Ashley National Forest · supports: Ashley NF administers the eastern High Uintas, High Uintas Wilderness prohibits motorized and mechanized travel; horses and foot only, Primary access via Henrys Fork, Uinta River, and Yellowstone trailheads · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Big Game — Once-in-a-Lifetime Species Application Info — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: High Uintas East listed as once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat (any-legal-weapon and archery) · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — Hunt Planner · supports: Authoritative GIS polygon for High Uintas East goat · accessed 2026-04-17