Sunlight Basin

Additional Information: Sunlight Wildlife Habitat Management Area is about 40 miles northwest of Cody. Between 1960 and 1965, 1,414 acres along Sunlight Trail and Painter creeks were purchased to preserve the area for wildlife habitat, public use and access to adjacent U.S. Forest Service lands. The land comprises sagebrush grasslands, some conifers, grassland and irrigated meadows. Approximately 900 head of elk use this area between November and May. Mule deer also feed here and their numbers vary from 25 to 100. Moose can be spotted along the riparian areas of Sunlight Creek. Bighorn sheep use the steep, rocky edges of the area in winter and early spring. Black bears and mountain lions occasionally pass through the area. In addition, blue and ruffed grouse, mourning doves, coyotes, songbirds and some duck species spend time here. Sunlight Creek supports a fishery for cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout. Cutthroat trout are stocked by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. A note of caution for visitors to this area: Grizzly bears may frequent the two campgrounds. Precautions must be taken to prevent encounters with the bears. Food should never be kept in tents. Cooking areas and stored food should be at least 100 yards from the sleeping area. Never bury garbage, and be aware of all posted grizzly habitat signs and regulations in the areas where you spend time. Please visit our bear wise page for more information on recreating in bear country -https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Wildlife-in-Wyoming/More-Wildlife/Large-Carnivore/Grizzly-Bear-Management/Bear-Wise-Wyoming.