Day Hiking Areas

• Fairfield Ranger District

  The Fairfield Ranger District, established in 1906 with consolidation of the Shake Creek and Fairfield Ranger Districts in 1972, encompasses 420,720 acres of Forest system administered lands and contains over 680 miles of streams and more than 20 high mountain lakes. There are many mountains on the District over 9,000 ft. in elevation, with four peaks--Baker Peak, Big Peak, Two Point Mountain, and Smoky Dome that are over 10,000 ft. high in elevation. The South Fork of the Boise River, Little Smoky Creek and Big Smoky Creek are the major river drainages. Fairfield offers seemingly endless opportunities for the backpacker, hiker, horseback rider, mountain biker and off-road vehicle user. There are 440 miles of inventoried trails on the District, many of which top out in mountain lakes or circque basins. Snowmobiling, downhill skiing, and snowboarding are some of the more popular winter activities on the District. There are about 50 miles of groomed snowmobile trails available north of Fairfield.  Nordic skiing opportunities may be found in the backcountry through helicopter and cat ski guided trips into more remote areas. Visitors will find numerous hot springs on the District, accessible in the summer, including Worswick, Skillern, Willow Creek, Pries, and Baumgartner. Fairfield boasts (12) campgrounds. Baumgartner Campground is fully accessible to visitors using wheelchairs and includes paved camping sites. The campground also boasts a hot pool for soaking, a children's play area and a 1/4 mile interpretive trail.

   

  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.

• Abbott Campground
• Baumgartner Campground

  Baumgartner Campground is a group, fee, reservation campground composed of 39 camping units on the South Fork of the Boise River.  It is one of two campgrounds on the District that has a campground host.  There are 6 double family units, for up to 16 people each, and 1 multi-family group unit that can be reserved for up to 32 campers.  Swimming, fishing, and picnicking are popular activities. An extensive trail system for OHV and motorcycles can be accessed from this campground, however OHVs are not allowed on the roads within the campground.  An interpretive nature trail offers history on the geologic attractions in the area. The Hot Pool, located within the campground is a toasty 111 degrees Fahrenheit and is open daily from dawn until dusk. The pool is drained nightly. Soaps, alcohol and glass are not allowed near or in the pool. Swimsuits are required and no pets are allowed around or in the pool.

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• Bear Creek Transfer Camp
• Big Peak Trail
• Big Smoky Trail
• Bird Creek Campground
• Blue Ridge Trail
• Boardman Creek Trail
• Bowns Campground
• Bremner Trail
• Canyon Transfer Camp
• Centennial Trail Route
• Chaparral Campground
• Five Points Campground
• Hunter Creek Transfer Camp
• Iron Mountain Trail
• Johnson Creek Trail
• Lime Creek Trail System
• Middle Fork Lime Creek Trail
• North Fork Lime Creek Trail
• North Fork Ross Fork Trail
• North Fork Soldier Trail
• Paradise Trail
• Perkons Lake Trail
• Pioneer Campground
• Ross Fork Machine Trail
• Shake Creek Trail
• Skeleton Creek Trail
• Smoky Mountain Trails System
• Soldier Creek-Miller Creek Trail
• Soldier Mountain Trail System
• South Fork Boise River Corridor
• South Fork Boise River Trail System
• South Fork Ross Fork Trail
• Virginia Gulch Trail
• Willow Creek Campground
• Willow Creek Trail
• Ketchum Ranger District

  The Ketchum Ranger District is located in the northwest portion of the Sawtooth National Forest. The District covers 321,544 acres of mountains and hills filled with sage, aspen, pine and fir. Five hundred miles of streams course through the District and the major river drainage is the Big Wood River whose headwaters are located north of Ketchum on Galena Summit. In addition to these waterways, there are over 90 lakes located on the Ketchum District. The highest point of elevation of the Sawtooth National Forest, Hyndman Peak at 12,009 ft. elevation, is found on the District in the Boulder Mountain Range. Bald Mountain, one of the country's best-loved ski areas, is located in the Ketchum District. Recreation is the most popular activity on the Distict and opportunities are numerous for hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and scenic driving. The roads and trails range from those suitable for novices to high country trails suitable only for experienced outdoor recreationists. The Pioneer Cabin and the Lakes Trails are good examples of the popular day hikes available on the District. Mountain bike riding is also a popular activity and a rider can cover 25 to 30 miles on a trip through beautiful mountain scenery in one day. The Ketchum Ranger District offers outstanding opportunities for motorcycle trail riding and numerous roads and trails provide access to spectacular scenery, excellent fishing, and remote campsites. There are a number of drives in the Ketchum District that provide visitors with a chance to see some beautiful country without the investment of time and energy associated with walking, biking, or horseback riding. The drive over Trail Creek Summit stretches from Sun Valley, over the Pioneer Mountains and into the Lost River drainage to Mackay, Idaho. Dollarhide Road, which follows the Warm Springs drainage over Dollarhide Summit, runs southwest from the town of Ketchum, past Bald Mountain and on into the Smokey Mountains.

  The Ketchum Ranger Station is located at 206 Sun Valley Road, and is open to the public Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. The office may be closed 1-2pm for lunch. You can reach the office at (208) 622-0090.

• Adams Gulch Area Trails
• Baker Creek Snowmobile Trail
• Baker Lake Trail
• Bald Mountain Ski Resort
• Boundary Campground
• Copper Creek/Garfield Campground
• East Fork Baker Creek Campground
• East Fork Big Wood River Snowmobile Area
• Federal Gulch Campground
• Fox Creek Area Trails
• Norton Lake Trail
• Pioneer Cabin
• Pioneer Cabin Trails
• Sun Valley Ski Area Trails
• Trail Creek Area Trails
• 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.

• Albion Division

  The Albion Division, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Burley, Idaho, encompasses 95,000 acres of National Forest system land. Beautiful wildflowers can be seen and wildlife is abundant. In the summer, camping, hiking and mountain biking are popular. The paved Howell Canyon Road takes visitors up Mt. Harrison where you will find Lake Cleveland, a high alpine lake set in a cirque basin--one of two found south of the Snake River. The lake offers excellent fishing, camping and picnicing opportunities. The lake sits at 8,263 ft. above sea level and is situated on the north side of Mt. Harrison, nine miles up Howell Canyon. Lake Cleveland is a favorite fishing spot for trout fishermen. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the lake. The Lake Cleveland campground facilities can handle 100 people at one time and all facilities are handicapped accessible. A handicapped trail runs completely around the lake. A Sawtooth fire lookout station is also located at the top of Mt. Harrison. This popular visitor attraction offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the mountain ranges of the Sawtooths and the Tetons, the cinder buttes of the Arco desert, and the Snake River Plain. Howell Canyon is the home of an alpine ski area resort. Both groomed and ungroomed cross-country trails are marked in Howell Canyon, a popular snowmobiling area. A warming hut for winter recreationists is also provided at this location.

• 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

  The Cassia Division is a short 40 minute drive south of Twin Falls and is known to local residents as the "South Hills." The division's proximity to Twin Falls makes this area appealing to residents of the Magic Valley. The Cassia Mountain Range rises to a top elevation of 8,400 ft. and these scenic mountains are covered by a variety of rangeland and forest vegetative types. Mixed stands of subalpine fir, lodgepole pine and aspen are interspersed among rolling grasslands. Visitors come to this area to relax, picnic, hike, horseback ride or ride mountain bikes on the many miles of trails that traverse these gentle mountains. The division has 12 developed campgrounds with a total of (#?) camping units, many of which are free of charge. There is 1 picnic area with 10 sites, including the Harrington Fork Picnic Area which has paved walkways accessible for wheelchairs and walking aids. The Cassia Division is popular with deer hunters and Big Cottonwood Creek and Goose Creek are streams with good trout fishing. Winter sports are popular activities. Magic Mountain Ski Resort offers hours of enjoyable skiing with challenging terrain and good snow. The resort has two double chair lifts, one poma(?), one rope tow and 20 runs. The resort is only lightly wooded and is a popular destination for cross-country skiers. Off the head of Rock Creek are 4 cross-country ski trails ranging in length from 1.2 to 8.1 miles. Three of these trails are groomed regularly. There are 30 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and another (#?) miles of ungrommed, marked routes.

• 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

  The Raft River Division encompasses 95,000 acres of Forest Service administered land and includes the Raft River Mountain Range located in northern Utah, northwest of Salt Lake City. These peaks reach up to an elevation of 10,300 ft. On a clear day, the vista from the top offers a view of the Great Salt Lake, Snake River Plain, Sawtooth Mountain Range and into Nevada. The area is popular among archery and rifle deer hunters and several drainages provide excellent opportunities for fishing in small streams. Clear Creek Campground, which is handicapped accessible, is the Division's only developed campground. The campground serves as trailhead for the Bull Flat (#001) and Lake Creek (#004) Trails. There are also plenty of opportunities for dispersed camping.

• Clear Creek Campground
• Sublett Division

  The Sublett Division, located east of Idaho interstate 84, is a 90,000 acre expanse of open sagebrush and grass terrain. Pockets of Douglas-fir on northern exposures and open meadows full of wildflowers make it an excellent location to take a scenic drive or a horseback trip. The miles of trails provide year-round opportunities for recreationists. The area is popular with snowmobile enthusiasts in the winter and off-road vehicles riders, hikers, and equestrians in fair weather months. There are approximately 60 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the winter. In North Heglar Canyon, the Mill Flat Trailhead provides access to numerous trails and old logging roads, providing miles of routes to travel with horses, mountain bikes and all-terrain vehicles. Deer, elk, and moose also can be found in the area.

• Mill Flat Campground
• Sublett Campground
• Sawtooth National Recreation Area

  The Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Sawtooth NRA) consists of 756,000 acres of beautiful mountainous scenery. The Sawtooth NRA includes the Sawtooth Wilderness, Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness, and the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness areas. The Sawtooth NRA has over 700 miles of trails, 40 peaks rising over 10,000 feet and 300-plus high-elevation alpine lakes that add to the spectacular scenery and vistas. Recreational pursuits include outdoor activities like camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, boating and canoeing, rafting, observing nature, photography and bicycling. For information please contact us.

   

  Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and Information

  Sawtooth Wilderness Map

  Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness Map

  White Clouds Wilderness Map

  Stanley Lake Plan Map

  Redfish to Stanley Trail Map

• Alturas Lake and Pettit Lake Areas

  Alturas Lake is the southernmost of the Sawtooth NRA's big lakes. Tin Cup trailhead, which is an entrance to the Alice Toxaway Loop is located at Pettit Lake. Cabin Creek trail and Alturas Lake Creek trail allow you to hike into the beautiful Sawtooth Wilderness from Alturas Lake. This area has tremendous hiking and access to trails in the beautiful Sawtooth Wilderness and the Hemingway-Boulder Mountains. There is tremendous fishing in the many lakes in the area for various species of trout in these high-elevation lakes. Yellow Belly Lake and Perkins Lake to the north do not allow any motorized watercraft. Alturas Lake and Pettit Lake do not allow personal watercraft. Double-sites are available at: Alturas Inlet, Smokey Bear (Alturas), North Shore (Alturas), Alturas Tent campground, and Pettit Lake campsite. Chekeketan is to the south of Alturas Lake and is a group campsite. Alturas Inlet campsite, Chemeketan group campsite, and Alturas Picnic Area (B) accept reservations which can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. First-come, first-serve campsites and picnic/day use areas include North Shore (Alturas), Smokey Bear (Alturas), Alturas Tent campground, Alturas Picnic Area A, Pettit Lake and Pettit Lake Day Use Area. 

• Alturas Inlet Campground
• Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B
• Alturas Lake Creek Trailhead
• Alturas Tent Camping Area
• Bowery Trailhead
• Cabin Creek Trailhead
• Champion Creek Cutoff Trailhead
• Champion Creek Trailhead
• Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
• Fisher Creek Trailhead
• Fourth of July Creek Trailhead
• Gladiator Trailhead
• Grand Prize Trailhead
• Hell Roaring Creek Trailhead
• North Shore (Alturas) Campground
• Pettit Lake Campground
• Pettit Lake Day Use Area
• Prairie Creek Trailhead
• Smokey Bear (Alturas) Campground
• Three Cabins Creek Trailhead
• Tin Cup Hiker Trailhead
• Titus Creek Trailhead
• Twin Creek Trailhead
• Williams Creek Trailhead
• Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness
• Galena Lodge
• Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness
• Mill Lake Trail
• Miner Lake Trail
• Prairie Lakes Trail
• Redfish Lake Recreation Complex

  Redfish Lake is at the headwaters of the Salmon River, whose waters flow north to meet the Snake River and continue to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean. As late as the 1950's, more than 4,000 sockeye salmon made the annual 900-mile (1,440-km) pilgrimage from the ocean to their spawning grounds in the Sawtooth Valley. However, in recent years only between 2-20 have returned each year. In an effort to save the endangered fish, whose bright red color gave Redfish Lake its name, the National Marine Fisheries Service established a local hatchery. Since 1999, the lake has been stocked with sockeye salmon. Bull trout, steelhead and Chinook salmon can also be spotted in the area. There is a visitor center and Redfish Lake Lodge. Between Little Redfish Lake and Redfish Lake there are commercially operated showers, a gas station with propane, a dump station and horse rentals. Little Redfish Lake does not allow motorboats. Redfish lake campsites that accept reservations include: Sunny Gulch campsite, Glacier View, Outlet campsite, Point, North Shore picnic area and Sunny Gulch Pavillion picnic area. Reservations can be made by going to www.recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. First-come, first-serve campsites include: Chinook Bay, Mountain View, Mt. Heyburn, Sockeye, Red Fish Inlet, Outlet Day Use Area, and Sunny Gulch campsite offers some as well. Double-sites are available at Sunny Gulch campsite, Sockeye, Glacier View and Outlet. Picnic and day use areas include North Shore picnic area, Sunny Gulch Pavillion and picnic area, and Outlet day use area. 

• Chinook Bay Campground
• Glacier View Campground
• Little Redfish Lake
• Mountain View Campground
• Mt. Heyburn Campground
• North Shore Picnic & Beach Area - Day Use Location
• Orval Hansen Point Beach
• Outlet Campground
• Outlet Recreation Day Use - Day Use Location
• Point Campground
• Redfish Inlet Campground
• Redfish Inlet Trailhead
• Redfish Lake
• Redfish Trailhead

  Great popular trail.

• Fishhook Creek Trail
• Sockeye Campground
• Sunny Gulch Campground
• Sunny Gulch Pavilion & Picnic Area - Day Use
• Salmon River Area

  The Salmon River Area follows Hwy 75 east along the border of the SNRA White Clouds Wilderness and the Salmon Challis National Forest. There is tremendous fishing in this area for species like steelhead and trout. There are aggressive rapids for rafting and lots of creeks flowing off of the Salmon River. There are fabulous hiking trails leading into the White Clouds Wilderness to the south and trails leading north into the Salmon Challis National Forest. There are a number of campsites along this corridor which are all first-come, first-serve which include the Salmon River campsite, Casino Creek, Riverside, Mormon Bend, Lower O'Brien, Upper O'Brien, Whiskey Flats, Holman Creek and Syder Springs picnic area. Double sites are offered at Casino Creek, Mormon Bend, Lower O'Brien, Upper O'Brien, Salmon River and Holman Creek. 

• Boulder Creek Trailhead
• Casino Creek Campground
• Casino Creek Trailhead
• Holman Creek Campground
• Lower O'Brien Campground
• Mormon Bend Campground
• Riverside Campground
• Rough Creek Trailhead
• Salmon River Campground
• Snyder Springs Picnic Area
• Stovepipe Springs
• Upper O'Brien Campground
• Whiskey Flats Campground
• Sawtooth Wilderness
• Stanley Lake & Hwy 21

  Stanley Lake is located in the northwest corner of the Sawtooth NRA and is a favorite spot for fishing and boating. The Stanley Lake Overlook offers a superior vantage point for viewing McGown Peak, which appears to rise out of the lake. Boat ramp access into Stanley Lake is via a paved road through the mountain meadows. This is an excellent area for fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking and camping. Waterskiing on Stanley Lake is limited to 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Campsites in the area that accept reservations include: Stanley Lake campsite, Elk Creek, Sheep Trial and Trap Creek. Reservations can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. First-come, first-serve campsites include: Lake View, Stanley Lake Inlet, Iron Creek, and Grandjean. Campsites offering double sites include Stanley Lake, Stanley Inlet and Lake View. Campsites offering single sites and group sites include Elk Creek, Sheep Trail and Trap Creek. 

• Alpine Way Trailhead
• Elk Creek Campground - Hwy 21
• Elk Meadow Trailhead
• Elk Mountain Trailhead
• Grandjean Campground
• Grandjean Trailhead
• Iron Creek Campground
• Iron Creek Trailhead
• Sawtooth Lodge
• Sheep Trail Campground - Hwy 21
• Stanley Lake

  Stanley Lake is located to the West of Stanley off Hwy 21 and accessible from Stanley Lake road and Forest Service road #455. It features 2 campsites: Stanley Lake and Lakeview.

  Areas outside of the official campgrounds in the Stanley Lake complex are available for Designated Dispersed Camping.

  All occupancy (includes developed/dispersed camping, boats, boat trailers, travel trailers, tents, etc): Occupancy limit is 10 days in a 30 day period within a 30 mile radius for all of SNRA.

• Lake View Campground
• Stanley Lake Campground
• Stanley Lake Trailhead
• Stanley Ranger Station

  Stanley Ranger Station located south of the town of Stanley. (208)774-3000.

• Alpine Way Trailhead
• Trap Creek Campground - Hwy 21
• Wood River Valley Area

  Situated just north of Ketchum, Idaho, near the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters, the Wood River Valley is host to a number of campsites including North Fork, Easley, and the Wood River group overnight area which accept reservation by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. There are first-come, first-serve campsites including Wood River campsite, Murdock and Caribou. Double sites are offered at the North Fork, Wood River and Easley campsites. Wood River picnic area offers an area for group gatherings and celebrations. This area is wonderful for fishing in the Big Wood River, hiking and viewing wildlife and the beautiful scenery of the Big Wood River, Pioneer Mountains, Smoky Mountains and Hemingway-Boulder Mountains. 

• Adam Gulch Trailhead
• Baker Creek
• Boulder Mountain Goat Interpretive Site
• Boundary Creek Trailhead
• Caribou Campground
• Cherry Creek Picnic Area
• Cougar Dispersed Camping Area
• Easley Campground (Wood River Valley Area)
• Galena Lodge (Wood River Valley Area)
• Galena Summit Overlook
• Lake Creek Trailhead
• Murdock Campground
• Murdock Trailhead
• North Fork - Big Wood River
• North Fork Campground
• North Fork Wood River Trailhead
• Oregon Gulch Trailhead
• Pole Creek Guard Station
• Prairie Creek
• Sawtooth NRA Headquarters
• Wood River Campground
• Wood River Picnic Area