Utah Mountain Goat

Unit Wasatch Mtns, Box Elder Peak (Wasatch Mountains, Box Elder Peak)

Utah Hunting Guide — Mountain Goat

Box Elder Peak sits on the Alpine-American Fork ridge in the central Wasatch, between Lone Peak Wilderness to the north and the Timpanogos massif to the south. It is one of Utah's smaller once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat hunts, with UDWR logging 354 applicants for 7 tags over three years. The unit is Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, adjacent to Lone Peak Wilderness. We rate this as a classic Wasatch goat hunt — steep granite, dramatic scenery, and high-quality billies if you are willing to climb.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit Wasatch Mtns, Box Elder Peak

Where to Find Mountain Goats on Box Elder Peak

Goats on this unit hold to the steepest granite and limestone of the Box Elder Peak massif. Summer positions shift little through September.

Box Elder Peak South Face

The south face above Granite Flat holds the most visible summer goats. Glass from the Granite Flat campground parking area with a spotter.

Silver Lake Basin

The ridges wrapping Silver Lake and Silver Creek hold resident nannies and billies. Hike in from American Fork Canyon early.

Lone Peak Wilderness Edge

Goats filter between the Box Elder unit and Lone Peak proper — know the boundary exactly and glass accordingly.

How to Hunt Mountain Goats on Box Elder Peak

This is a physical hunt. Plan on 3,000 to 4,500 feet of vertical per day and class 3 scrambles in the final approach.

Pre-Hunt Conditioning

Scout in July and August. Carry pack weight on the exact routes you will use during the hunt. The Wasatch does not forgive out-of-shape hunters.

Spot, Plan, Climb

From a valley-floor glassing point, locate a billy, photograph him, map his likely bedding, and plan a route that keeps wind and cover in your favor. Climb before dawn to be in position at first light.

Billy Identification

Billies carry thicker bodies, heavier horns with broader bases, and narrower vulva compared to nannies. Utah requires specific identification — use the spotter before you commit.

Pack-Out Plan

A goat off Box Elder Peak is a 2-trip pack-out at minimum. Plan quarters, cape, and gear across at least two loads with a partner.

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Rifle65%

Box Elder Peak goat success runs at or near 100% based on UDWR summaries — tag holders are committed, and the goats are visible. Mature billies come out at 9-plus inches with good mass. The limiting factor is climbing conditions and weather, not animal availability.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	3	109	2.8%	10

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Utah's once-in-a-lifetime goat draw splits tags 50/50 between the max-points pool and a random-weighted pool where bonus points increase your number of chances. With 354 applicants for 7 tags across three years, headline odds are around 2%. Max-point applicants take most of the top-pool tags, so plan on 15 to 20 years of point building.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Granite Flat and Little Mill accept trailers. No RV access at higher elevations.

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Camp Sites

Granite Flat and Little Mill Forest Service campgrounds near the base. Backcountry camping above tree line with permit in Lone Peak Wilderness.

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Water

Good. Streams in American Fork Canyon and Silver Creek. Filter required.

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Road Conditions

Alpine Loop (UT-92) is paved. Granite Flat and Tibble Fork accesses are paved. Side roads into Silver Creek are gravel.

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Terrain Difficulty

Extreme. This is the steepest terrain of any Utah goat unit, with exposure and scrambling required.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low. Only a handful of tags, concentrated on a small geographic unit.

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Weather

September is ideal — cool nights, clear days. Afternoon thunderstorms possible. October brings snow to the peaks.

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Cell Service

Usable at trailheads and on south-facing ridges above the canyon. Limited deep in basins.

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Nearest Town

Alpine, Highland, and Pleasant Grove — 20 to 30 minutes to trailheads. Full services in Lehi and American Fork.

Note: Lone Peak Wilderness borders portions of the unit. Confirm exact wilderness boundaries before hunting — wilderness rules apply on that ground.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How physically hard is a Box Elder Peak goat hunt?

Among the hardest in Utah. Expect 3,000 to 4,500 feet of vertical per day, class 3 scrambling, and exposure. Train for the climb long before opener.

Is Box Elder Peak in Lone Peak Wilderness?

Portions of the hunt area border or overlap Lone Peak Wilderness. Know the boundary and comply with wilderness regulations (no mechanized transport) where applicable.

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Sources & Verification

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

Utah Mountain Goat Hunting — once-in-a-lifetime overview — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Mountain goat is a once-in-a-lifetime species in Utah, Wasatch Mtns, Box Elder Peak is a limited-entry goat unit · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Box Elder Peak unit boundary described using American Fork Canyon and Alpine Loop references, Goat tags drawn through once-in-a-lifetime weighted bonus-point lottery · accessed 2026-04-17
Pleasant Grove Ranger District — Box Elder Peak and Lone Peak Wilderness access — USDA Forest Service — Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest · supports: Box Elder Peak lies within Lone Peak Wilderness or its immediate boundaries, Access via Tibble Fork, Granite Flat, and Silver Creek drainages · accessed 2026-04-17