At a Glance
547Square Miles
93%Public Land
1,000 - 7,200Elevation Range
Quick Tips
- Hunt the high ground along Mount Rainier National Park
- Watch out for no shooting zones
The comments on Unit 516 in Packwood, Washington, reflect a range of hunter experiences, highlighting the area's challenging terrain and the importance of pre-season scouting. Hunters note that the unit's dense forests and rugged landscape require physical preparedness and familiarity with the terrain for a successful hunt. There is a general consensus that understanding animal patterns and behavior during different seasons is essential, with some advising on optimal times for spotting elk. Overall, hunters recommend leveraging local knowledge and being mentally and physically ready to adapt to the unit's demanding conditions.
This big unit lies between The Cascade Range at 7,200-ft in the east, and Riffe Lake at 1,000-ft in the west. Gifford Pinchot National Forest takes up most of the unit, with just a touch of private land, primarily along Hwy 12 and the northern border. The majority of the unit holds old-growth conifer forests and has seen a few small wildfires over the years. The very eastern edge has rugged, roadless backcountry with alpine saddles, rockslides and glaciers. Several roads dissect the unit north to south, mostly in the western half and along the broader valleys in this steep unit.
Elk will be in the park until a big snowfall hits.