Soda Springs

 

 

Soda Springs Ranger District headquarters is located in Soda Springs, Idaho.  Our beautiful and diverse district offers over 360,000 acres of recreational opportunities and it is an excellent example of the Multiple Use Management Concept that is the trademark of the Forest Service.

 

District Ranger:  Bryan K. Fuell

Address:  410 E. Hooper Ave., Soda Springs, ID  83276

Phone:  208-547-4356     Fax:  208-547-2235

Office Hours:  8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday

 

Recreation

Recreation takes many forms on the Soda Springs Ranger District and offers something for every user. Three Rustic Guard station cabins are located on the District that are available for rent for the public’s enjoyment along with three campgrounds (Mill Canyon, Gravel Creek, and Pinebar). There are hiking trails, cross-country ski trails, as well as ATV and snowmobile trails.  Several large areas are closed to motorized vehicle for the satisfaction of those seeking escape from civilization.  Other areas are open to all forms of motorized recreation for those who are fond of that aspect of recreation.  For maps that you can download click here.

 

Cabin Rentals and Dispursed Camping

Our district offers three rustic cabins (Caribou, Johnson, and Stump Creek Guard Stations) for public rental through Recreation.gov each of which allows visitors to experience the past in a very unique way.  These cabins were constructed in the early 1900s for the purpose of housing traveling Forest Rangers and Supervisors.  Cabins offer bed frames, cood-stoves, and propane heat, and an adventure in history!

Additionally, Soda Springs Ranger District offers warming shelters in the Caribou and Diamond Creek Basins for free public day use during the winter months.  Visitors can stop by, warm by a fire and get a bite to eat.  The Diamond Creek facilty, which was recently remodeled, is available for overnight rental during the summer months.

Just outside of Soda Springs, we offer the Trail Canyon group facility, available for year around day use.  This location offers a covered pavilion, wood stove, toilet facilities, and multiple indoor and outside picnic tables.  Because of it's proximaty to town, this location has been victim to an excessive amount of vandalism through the years.  Please help us to insure that such an amazing recreational opportunity can continue to be available by reporting suspicious activity to either the Soda Springs Ranger District, or the Caribou County Sheriff's Department.

 Cross-Country Skiing/Snowmobiling

The Soda Springs Ranger District contains some excellent terrain for winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.  Trail Canyon, Diamond Creek, and Wood Canyon are among the many areas popular with outdoor recreationalist during the winter.

 

Wildlife Viewing

There are ample opportunities to observe elk, mule deer, moose, upland game birds, and many other forms of wildlife.  The endagered whooping crane resides at the Gray's Lake Wildlife Refuge which is adjacent to the district.  Recently, reported sighting of black bear as well as wolves have been increasing, so keep a sharp eye out for these species as well! 

 

Range Management

Our district is a model example of the agency's multiple use management philosophy.  We strive to offer opportunities for backcountry and developed recreation, hunting and fishing opportunities, and to support local agriculture and minerals uses.  With over 40 cattle and sheep allotments between the Soda and Montpelier Ranger Districts, the Range staff works hard to insure allotments are managed to standard with minimal affects to public use.

Points of Interest

 

If you like to explore, visit Caribou City.  The remnants of this historic mining town have all but disappeared from the base of Caribou Mountain, but the remains of the minerals activity that has occurred there since the late 1800s are still visible.

The historic Lander Cutoff Trail was used by early pioneers on their way to Oregon as an alternate route to save time.  The use of this trail has greatly contributed to the cultural and historical richness of the Soda Springs Ranger District.  Several pioneer journals attest to the beauty and richness of the area, as well as the hardships experienced in crossing this geographically diverse landscape.  Lane's grave, wagon rutts, and pioneer cemetaries can be seen to this day; along with evidance of Native American activity and early attempts of travelers to settle in the area.

The Auburn Fish Hatchery is run by the Wyoming Game & Fish Department where various species of trout are reared to be placed in waters of western Wyoming.

Gray's Lake Wildlife Refuge is home to many types of waterfowl found in the western United States.  This particular refuge is noted for its whooping cranes.

While discovering the Soda Springs Ranger District, you will see evidence of historical and current Phosphate Mining.  This region contains one of the richest phosphate deposits in the United States; the mining of this ore contributes greatly to the financial stability of the region.