Minidoka Ranger District
The Minidoka Ranger District encompasses 604,168 acres of National Forest system land. Wildflowers, wildlife and recreation opportunities abound on its five unique divisions--Cassia, Albion, Sublett, Raft River and Black Pine. The Cassia Division, 40 miles south of Twin Falls, contains over 450 miles of streams, including the main Rock Creek drainage, popular with many anglers. The Albion Division, located 20 miles southeast of Burley, is home to Cache Peak (10,339 ft.), which is the tallest peak in the Albion Mountain Range. The Sublett Division, located east of Idaho Interstate 84, offers fishing and camping near Sublett Reservoir. The Raft River Division, located northwest of Salt Lake City, Utah, offers an expansive view from its 9,600 ft. mountain peaks, where visitors can see the Great Salt Lake, Snake River Plain, the Sawtooth Mountain Range and into the state of Nevada. The Black Pine Division located east of the Albion Division and west of Idaho Interstate 84 near the Idaho/Utah border, is popular for gathering pine nuts, the gourmet snack of the pinyon pine tree which grows abundantly in the area. Recreation is undoubtedly the most popular pursuit on the Minidoka Ranger District. Summer activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and all-terrain vehicle trail machine riding. Winter brings opportunities for alpine and Nordic skiing, and snow machine travel. Hunting and fishing are popular on the District. Six alpine lakes, three reservoirs, and numerous streams are included within the District boundaries. Forested areas and rangeland provide habitat for wildlife species including mule deer, moose, elk, wild turkey, bobcat, cougar, many small mammals, and a wide variety of birds. The District manages (#?) camping units in 25 developed campgrounds. The district maintains over 341 miles of trails to meet needs for motorized and non-motorized use.
Our office, with the exception of mission-critical activities, is operating virtually. To protect the health and safety of our employees and customers, we are scheduling face-to-face meetings only if business cannot be resolved via the virtual environment. Be prepared to meet outdoors. However, continuing our service to you during this time is very important. We are ready and available to help you!
Customer service representatives will be staffing our phone lines to provide information about the Forest or to assist your needs in ways besides face-to-face. You can reach the Supervisors Office at 208-423-7500, the Ketchum Ranger District at 208-622-0090, the Fairfield Ranger District at 208-764-3202, the Stanley Ranger Station at 208-774-3000, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters at 208-727-5000 and the Minidoka Ranger District at 208-678-0430.
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 - 5:00 |
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Water: | None |
General Information
General Notes:Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Minidoka Ranger District
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Bennett Springs Campground
- Independence Lakes Campground
- Lake Cleveland Campground - East Side
- Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
- Thompson Flat Campground
- Twin Lakes Campground (Albion Division)
- Cassia Division
- Bear Gulch Campground
- Bostetter Campground
- Diamondfield Jack Campground
- Father and Sons Campground
- Lower Penstemon Campground
- Pettit Campground
- Porcupine Springs Campground
- Schipper Campground
- Third Fork Campground
- Upper Penstemon Campground
- Raft River Division
- Clear Creek Campground
- Sublett Division
- Mill Flat Campground
- Sublett Campground
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Lake Cleveland Campground - East Side
- Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
- Thompson Flat Campground
- Cassia Division
- Diamondfield Jack Campground
- Father and Sons Campground
- Pettit Campground
- Porcupine Springs Campground
- Schipper Campground
- Third Fork Campground
- Upper Penstemon Campground
- Sublett Division
- Mill Flat Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Independence Lakes Campground
- Lake Cleveland Campground - East Side
- Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
- Cassia Division
- Lower Penstemon Campground
- Pettit Campground
- Porcupine Springs Campground
- Upper Penstemon Campground
Dispersed Camping
Areas for Dispersed Camping at Minidoka Ranger District
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Bennett Springs Campground
- Independence Lakes Campground
- Cassia Division
- Bear Gulch Campground
- Raft River Division
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Minidoka Ranger District
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Bennett Springs Campground
- Independence Lakes Campground
- Lake Cleveland Campground - East Side
- Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
- Mt. Harrison Interpretive Site
- Pomerelle Ski Resort
- Thompson Flat Campground
- Black Pine Division
- Cassia Division
- Bear Gulch Campground
- Big Bluff Dispersed Camping Area
- Bostetter Campground
- Diamondfield Jack Campground
- Father and Sons Campground
- Lower Penstemon Campground
- Pettit Campground
- Porcupine Springs Campground
- Schipper Campground
- Third Fork Campground
- Upper Penstemon Campground
- Raft River Division
- Clear Creek Campground
- Sublett Division
- Mill Flat Campground
- Sublett Campground
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Bennett Springs Campground
- Independence Lakes Campground
- Lake Cleveland Campground - East Side
- Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
- Mt. Harrison Interpretive Site
- Pomerelle Ski Resort
- Thompson Flat Campground
- Black Pine Division
- Cassia Division
- Bear Gulch Campground
- Big Bluff Dispersed Camping Area
- Bostetter Campground
- Diamondfield Jack Campground
- Lower Penstemon Campground
- Pettit Campground
- Porcupine Springs Campground
- Third Fork Campground
- Upper Penstemon Campground
- Raft River Division
- Clear Creek Campground
- Sublett Division
- Mill Flat Campground
Horse Camping
Areas for Horse Camping at Minidoka Ranger District
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Minidoka Ranger District
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Minidoka Ranger District
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Minidoka Ranger District
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Minidoka Ranger District
OHV Camping
Areas for OHV Camping at Minidoka Ranger District
OHV Road Riding
Areas for OHV Road Riding at Minidoka Ranger District
OHV Trail Riding
The Third Fork complex of trails is a favorite with motorbikes and mountain bikers and receives some use by hikers and horsemen. Most of the trails follow streams and the Third Fork trailhead serves as access to most of the trails. The other trailhead which serves the complex is Porcupine Springs Campground trailhead. There are approximately 50 miles of trails of varying complexity and degree of difficulty.
Areas for OHV Trail Riding at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Independence Lakes Campground
- Mt. Harrison Interpretive Site
- Thompson Flat Campground
- Black Pine Division
- Cassia Division
- Diamondfield Jack Campground
- Magic Mountain Ski Resort
- Porcupine Springs Campground
- Raft River Division
- Clear Creek Campground
- Sublett Division
- Mill Flat Campground
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Bennett Springs Campground
- Independence Lakes Campground
- Lake Cleveland Campground - East Side
- Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
- Mt. Harrison Interpretive Site
- Mt. Harrison Lookout
- Pomerelle Ski Resort
- Thompson Flat Campground
- Twin Lakes Campground (Albion Division)
- Black Pine Division
- Cassia Division
- Bear Gulch Campground
- Big Bluff Dispersed Camping Area
- Bostetter Campground
- Diamondfield Jack Campground
- Father and Sons Campground
- Harrington Fork Picnic Area
- Lower Penstemon Campground
- Pettit Campground
- Pike Mountain Scenic Overlook
- Porcupine Springs Campground
- Schipper Campground
- Third Fork Campground
- Upper Penstemon Campground
- Raft River Division
- Clear Creek Campground
- Sublett Division
- Mill Flat Campground
- Sublett Campground
Group Picnicking
Areas for Group Picnicking at Minidoka Ranger District
Scenic Driving
Areas for Scenic Driving at Minidoka Ranger District
Boating - Motorized
Areas for Boating - Motorized at Minidoka Ranger District
Boating - Non-Motorized
Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Minidoka Ranger District
Skiing/Snowboarding
Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Minidoka Ranger District
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Minidoka Ranger District
- Albion Division
- Pomerelle Ski Resort
- Cassia Division
- Diamondfield Jack Campground
- Lower Penstemon Campground
- Magic Mountain Ski Resort
- Upper Penstemon Campground
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Minidoka Ranger District