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Sun River Exploration

Experience this amazing corner of the Bob Marshall 

Four nights at our remote Gates Park camp on the North Fork of the Sun River, where summer brings gin-clear water, open meadows, and high-country trails. World-class fly fishing anchors the experience, paired with unforgettable horseback rides and true wilderness solitude

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A Classic Bob Marshall Adventure

One of our most popular summer packtrips.   This excursion is centered on our Gates Park camp on the North Fork of the Sun River. We spend four nights in this remote riverside location, giving you the time and flexibility to fully immerse yourself in the landscape without the rush and schedule of daily travel.

Ready to Explore the Sun Valley?

5 days – 3 Available

August 18 to August 22, 2026

World-Class Fly Fishing

The Sun River runs gin-clear and cold providing prime trout habitat. Your days will be spent on remote sections of the Bob’s most scenice river.  You rarely see other anglers the entire trip. The mornings warm quickly, and the terrestrials are out, bringing the fish to the top.  The Sun River’s “special sauce” is the incredible top of the water action.

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Riding, Hiking, Exploring, More…

For non-fishermen, the area offers a wide range of day rides and hikes, including Bear Top Fire Lookout, Biggs Creek Meadows, Sock Lake beneath the Chinese Wall, and the lower Sun River Valley. Whether you spend your days hiking, relaxing, or on horseback, Gates Park offers a rare combination of variety, flexibility, and true wilderness immersion.

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Your Days in the Wilderness

Each day at Gates Park offers a balance of exploration and unhurried time in one of the most remote corners of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. With four nights in a single riverside camp, you’re free to fish, ride, hike, or simply take in the landscape without the pressure of daily travel. Whether you’re drawn to the river, high-country trails, or quiet moments in camp, every day unfolds at its own natural pace.

Day 1 - Big Sky Riding

Crossing Headquarters Pass into the Bob Marshall

We begin at the South Fork Teton trailhead and pack up for the ride into the wilderness. Within the first two hours, we crest Headquarters Pass at 8,000 feet, a memorable highlight of the trip.

From the basin below the pass, the trail gradually descends along Headquarters Creek into the North Fork Sun River Valley, opening into wide-angle vistas and prime wildlife habitat. Elk, black bear, deer, and other wildlife are commonly seen along this natural travel corridor.

We settle for the night at our semi-permanent camp at Gates Park along the Sun River.

Riding distance: 14 miles

Day 2 - Gates Park Activities

So much to do.  We love to take a day ride to Biggs Creek Flats and have lunch on a high hill overlooking the amazing North Fork valley.  The ride takes us through regrown lodgepole pine, aspen groves, and timothy covered meadows. Along with stunning views we occassionally see elk and moose in the area.

Day 3 - Bear Top

We often take a ride up to an active fire lookout station on Bear Top Mountain. This is such a fun day for riders and hikers.  However, if you’re more interested in exploring the scenic area of the big meadows at Gates Park there are some great hiking right from camp.

Day 4 - Ray Creek Loop

Riding up the Sun River to Ray Creek is a special ride.  The majority of the day is on high bluffs hundreds of feet above the river.  We often see elk along this ride.  We make a big loop through the farthest end of Gates Park meadows as we circle back to camp.

Day 5 - A Scenic Ride Home

Morning Light and One Last Pass

We break camp early and head back over Headquarters Pass, starting before the heat and dust of the day. Lunch is enjoyed in the basin below the pass, where mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen on the surrounding slopes.

The ride concludes at the South Fork Teton trailhead in the early afternoon.

Riding distance: 14 miles

Activities & Experience

Ideal for Mixed Groups of Riders and Anglers

This trip is exceptionally well-suited for groups that include both fishermen and non-fishermen. Anglers can easily access multiple stretches of the Sun River from camp, either on foot or via short horseback rides, allowing us to target the best fishing conditions each day.

Non-fishermen enjoy outstanding day rides to destinations like Bear Top, Sock Lake, and other scenic points of interest. Hiking opportunities are plentiful, from meadow walks in Gates Park to trails along Gates Lake and the Sun River. The open ridges near camp are easy to navigate and frequently reward guests with wildlife sightings.

Weather

Warm Days, Clear Nights

Summer days are pretty warm (mid 80’s) and nights are clear and pleasant.  Riding by the river brings pleasant breezes and cooler temps. You will want hats and sunscreen on the trip.  August is frequently our thunderstorm month, so expect increased chance of thunderstorms.  These are loud and quick, so have light raingear available.  Layers are good for cool evenings and mornings.  The water temps are moderating so you can swim in the river without the bracing feel of ice cold water.

Water is abundant here so there are opportunities to cool off nice holes on the Sun River or in our secret Gates Park waterfalls.

Landscapes & Elevation

Exceptional Vistas

This is our favorite part of the Bob Marshall.  Situated at the head end of the big meadows of the lower North Fork, you will have the most varied landscape we can offer.  High alpine meadows on the ride into and out of the mountains.  Remnants of old growth timber, thousands of acres of regrowth, stunning aspen groves, secluded lakes, and fast mountain streams with waterfalls.

The elevation changes are substantial.  We cross Headquarters Pass at 8,000 ft on the ride into and out of camp. This is a highly photographed pass due to it’s unique, impressive views into the Bob Marshall and out onto the Great Plains.  Gates Park camp is at 5,400 ft.  We also have options for day rides up to Bear Top Lookout at 8,300 ft.

What to Bring

Packing for August in the Mountains

Every day in the mountains can be different, particularly when it comes to weather.  On this trip days are pretty warm (mid 80’s) and nights in the lower 50’s.  You’ll want to have layers that you can easily change into and out of, as even on day rides it can change quite a bit.  We can have thunderstors roll throug and that will cool things off.  Light rain gear is imporant.  You will want to have light layers and a hat to provide shade from our intense sun.

Comforable hiking/riding shoes are a must, and a good assortment of hiking socks varying from light to medium weight.  Also, you may consider chaps for riding, or silk under your jeans as we do have some ground to cover on horseback.  This will mitigate chafing.

Recommended Camping Gear

Recommended Fishing Gear

Fishing the North Fork of the Sun River

Superb Dry Fly Fishing

Cold Mountain Water and Wild Trout

While the days are hot the river runs clear and cold.  The mornings warm quickly, and this brings the terrestrials out.  The trout aggressively feed on the surface. This is what separates the Bob Marshall’s Sun River from every other stream – the top of the water action during the day.  You can catch fish on just about anything – nymphs, mepps, good oldfashioned worms.  But the dry-fly fishing is unparalleled, with many anglers landing 60 or more fish per day. The “hot” holes produce rapid-fire action, with multiple fish caught in quick succession.

In addition to the river action, the “vibe” Sun River is pretty special as well.  It’s a remote river –  wild, beautiful, and unspoiled. Sometimes you just want to see what is around the next bend in the river.  It’s beauty yields great memories and photography.  It’s remoteness is remarkable.  Seeing another angler during your trip is rare.

Day 1 - Big Sky Riding

Crossing Headquarters Pass into the Bob Marshall

We begin at the South Fork Teton trailhead and pack up for the ride into the wilderness. Within the first two hours, we crest Headquarters Pass at 8,000 feet, a memorable highlight of the trip.

From the basin below the pass, the trail gradually descends along Headquarters Creek into the North Fork Sun River Valley, opening into wide-angle vistas and prime wildlife habitat. Elk, black bear, deer, and other wildlife are commonly seen along this natural travel corridor.

We settle for the night at our semi-permanent camp at Gates Park along the Sun River.

Riding distance: 14 miles

Day 2 - North Fork Action

For fishermen, the river calls early. After breakfast, anglers head down to the river as trout become active around mid-morning.  The mornings warm quickly in August, so the terrestrials come out soon.  Most anglers walk from camp, then go upstream or downstream.  The Sun has excellent fish densities so you’ll do fine whichever way you choose.

Day 3 - Rock Creek

Just to see a different stretch of water we often pack up our anglers and fishing gear for a horse ride about an hour down river to the confluence of Rock Creek.  The river is a little larger here. We’ll get our gear sorted out, grab a lunch, and head upstream or downstream, or potentially give Rock Creek a try.  There’s a lot of options this day to get some dry fly action.

Day 4 - Ray Creek

For those that want to see the water farther upstream, we will pack up their gear and head upriver to Ray Creek.  This stretch of the Sun is as wild and remote as it gets anywhere.  The river bounces back and forth on the canyon walls with nice holes all around. The 1 hr ride upriver is exceptional, as is the fishing.  The wild trout rarely see anyone up here, and it’s a pretty special day on the water.

Day 5 - A Scenic Ride Home

We break camp early and head back over Headquarters Pass, starting before the heat and dust of the day. Lunch is enjoyed in the basin below the pass, where mountain goats and bighorn sheep are often seen on the surrounding slopes.

The ride concludes at the South Fork Teton trailhead in the early afternoon.

Riding distance: 14 miles

Ready for Your Sun River Trip with Circle 8?

Four nights at our wilderness-luxurious Gates Park camp on the North Fork.  Excellent riding, hiking, fishing, and more

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