Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area is 32,292 acres in Shoshone County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Panhandle Region, inside game management units 9 and 7, established in 1990. Roadless conifer forest on the upper North Fork of the Clearwater, kept for non-motorized backcountry use.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Snow Peak WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 32,292 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Shoshone County |
| Established | 1990 |
| IDFG region | Panhandle |
| Game management units | 9, 7 |
| Elk zone | Panhandle |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Fish and wildlife habitat; backcountry hunting and fishing |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Conifer forest |
| Camping | No developed sites; primitive camping and fires unless posted, 14-day limit (IDFG's page also gives 10 days). |
What is Snow Peak WMA?
Roadless conifer forest on the upper North Fork of the Clearwater, kept for non-motorized backcountry use. Fifty miles of trail cross it, and mountain goats are often seen near the Snow Peak Lookout. It is winter range for elk and deer, and snow limits access to late June through mid-November.
What can you hunt on Snow Peak WMA?
Elk is the main big game hunt; white-tailed and mule deer, moose, black bear, mountain lion and wolf are hunted too, along with ruffed, dusky and spruce grouse.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, hiking, camping and horseback riding.
How do you get onto Snow Peak WMA, and when is it closed?
Foot and horseback only, from trailheads on Forest Service roads along the St. Joe River and out of Avery.
Can you camp on Snow Peak WMA?
No developed sites; primitive camping and fires unless posted, 14-day limit (IDFG's page also gives 10 days). The Forest Service rents the historic Surveyors Lookout.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Snow Peak WMA lies in, for 2025:
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Snow Peak WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Snow Peak WMA?
Elk is the main big game hunt; white-tailed and mule deer, moose, black bear, mountain lion and wolf are hunted too, along with ruffed, dusky and spruce grouse. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Units 9 and 7.
Can you camp on Snow Peak WMA?
No developed sites; primitive camping and fires unless posted, 14-day limit (IDFG's page also gives 10 days). The Forest Service rents the historic Surveyors Lookout.
How do you get onto Snow Peak WMA?
Foot and horseback only, from trailheads on Forest Service roads along the St. Joe River and out of Avery.
Which hunting unit is Snow Peak WMA in?
Units 9 and 7 (Panhandle elk zone), measured from IDFG's unit boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Snow Peak WMA, written up by FilledTag in its own words.
- Outline: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), land managed by Idaho Fish and Game. Units: IDFG's unit boundaries.
- Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics.
FilledTag is not part of Idaho Fish and Game. WMA rules change: check IDFG's page and its posted rules before you go.