Picnicking Areas

• Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District

  The Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District provides a multitude of opportunities for recreation year round.  We are in the process of updating this site to provide you with the most current information.  If you cannot find the information you need here, please call our offices at 208-879-4100 for assistance.

  To assist you in planning your trip, we have divided the district into several areas they are:

  • Basin-Vally Creek
  • Bayhorse-Paasasikwana Naokwaide (formerly Squaw Ck)
  • Cape Horn
  • Challis
  • East Fork
  • Pahsimeroi
  • Upper Salmon River Road

  If you click on "Find an Area" and then click on the plus arrow the the left of the "Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District,"  you should see these areas and the trails and campgrounds within them.

• Bayhorse - Paasasikwana Naokwaide Creek Area

  This area is a popular destination for a variety of recreation uses.  Paasasikwana Naokwaide was formerly called Squaw Creek.  A partnership with the State Park at the historic Bayhorse Townsite provides ATV trail riding. Camping and fishing at the campgrounds at Bayhorse and Little Bayhorse Lakes draws visitors during the summer months.

• Big Bayhorse Campground
• Big Bayhorse Day Use Site
• Little Bayhorse Camping Area
• Cape Horn Area (MF6)

  This area generally encompasses trails, trailheads, campgrounds and other recreation opportunities in the Cape Horn Country that are outside the Wilderness boundary. Campgrounds in this area include Lola, Beaver, Banner, Bench and Thatcher, just off Highway 21, plus Vader Rest Stop. In the winter, the Cape Horn Guard Station may be rented.

• Banner Creek Campground
• Banner Summit Rest Stop
• Beaver Creek Campground
• Bench Creek Campground
• Lola Creek Campground
• Marsh Creek Transfer Camp Trailhead
• Thatcher Campground
• Vader Creek Picnic Area
• Challis Area

  The area around Challis provides many opportunities for day hikes and drives as well as camping and backpacking.  You can check out the Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive center just south of the town of Challis and start your tour of the Custer Motorway.  You do not have to drive far from Challis to enjoy a variety of recreational activities!

• Buster Lake Trailhead
• Little West Fork Morgan Creek Trailhead
• Mill Creek Campground
• Morgan Summit Trailhead
• Mosquito Flat Reservoir Campground
• Twin Peaks Camping Area
• West Fork Morgan Creek Campground
• Pahsimeroi Area

  The Pahsimeroi and Lemhi Mountains provide the setting for some amazing recreational opportunities.  There are two small campgrounds and numerous trails to enjoy.

• Big Creek Campground
• Morse Creek Campground
• West Fork Upper Pahsimeroi Trailhead
• Yankee Fork Drainage

  The Yankee Fork of the Salmon has a rich history in it's many uses by settlers and prospectors.  Custer Townsite and the Yankee Fork Dredge are two major attractions.  You can stay at one of many campgrounds in the area or enjoy both motorized and non-motorized trails.

• Blind Creek Campground
• Custer #1 Campground
• Custer Town Site Interpretive Site (major)
• Eightmile Camping Area
• Flat Rock Campground
• Flat Rock Extension Campground
• Pole Flat Campground
• Leadore Ranger District

  Leadore Ranger District

• Westward Overlook - Lemhi Pass CDT Access
• Big Eightmile Campground/Trailhead

  10 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings on Big Eightmile Creek.

  Several dirt roads and trails in the area are open to hiking and mountain biking. Travel up Eighmile Creek Canyon, up Dairy Creek Canyon, or to the historic Blue Jay Mine.

  Never go into abandoned mine shafts!

• Hawley Creek Lower Campground
• Hawley Creek Upper Campground
• Bear Valley Horse Camp
• Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground
• Meadow Lake Campground
• Reservoir Creek Campground
• Lost River Ranger District

  Lost River District

• Antelope Canyon Area

  This is the area in and around Antelope Canyon, and can be accessed by Road #137.

• Iron Bog Campground
• King Mountain Launch Site
• Copper Basin Area

   road 138

• Broad Canyon Campground & Trailhead
• Broad Canyon Trail
• Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground
• Star Hope Campground
• Mount Borah Area

  This area has the Mount Borah Climbing Trail and Developed trailhead, the Earthquake Interpretive Site and the Leatherman Pass Trail.

• Earthquake Interpretive Site
• Mt. Borah Trailhead and Camping Area
• North Fork of the Big Lost River Area

  This is the area surrounding the North Fork tributary of the Big Lost River.  This area can be accessed by the North Fork Road (#128), which is located off the Trail Creek Road (#128).

• Pass Creek Area

  This is the area in and around Pass Creek, which can be accessed by Road #122.

• Loristica Group Campground
• Pass Creek Narrows Camping Area & Picnic Site
• Sawmill Canyon Area

  This area can be accessed by Road #101.

• Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground
• Timber Creek Campground
• Trail Creek Road Area

  This is the area in and around the Trail Creek Road, #208.

• Park Creek Campground
• Phi Kappa Campground
• Wildhorse Canyon Area

  This area includes the Wildhorse Developed campground and numerous trails in the vicinity of Wildhorse Guard Station.

• Fall Creek Trailhead
• Waterfall Trail #4344
• Wildhorse Campground
• Middle Fork Ranger District

  The Middle Fork Ranger District office is located in Challis, Idaho. It is one of six districts that comprise the Salmon-Challis National Forest. It administers and oversees over one million acres of land, including over 900,000 acres of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness (FC-RONRW) area, one of the last intact wild places in the lower 48 states.

  A land of steep mountains, deep canyons, and wild rivers, the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness is the second largest Wilderness in the lower 48 states at 2.4 million acres. The FC-RONRW provides outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation experiences and is home to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, a world-renown whitewater river.

  The District oversees the management of the Middle Fork, 104 miles of free-flowing whitewater, where every bend reveals a new dramatic vista and a challenge to boaters’ skills. Visit our Floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon River page.

  Trails of the Middle Fork District - click here to access the Trail Condition Report, Trail Maintenance Accomplishment Reports, and other trail work documents.

   

  We are in the process of updating this site to provide you with the most current information. If you cannot find the information you need here, please call our offices at 208-879-4100 for assistance.

• Boundary, Sulphur, Pistol, Indian Creek Area (MF4)

  This area encompasses trails, trailheads, camping and other recreation opportunities on the District that are generally reached from or near the Dagger-Boundary Road #568, the Artillery Dome Road #550, or other roads/routes along the western wilderness boundary.

  There are two campgrounds, Boundary Creek and Dagger Falls, in this area. Boundary Creek is a popular campground for boaters beginning their float trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The Transfer Camp is a trailhead for the Middle Fork Trail and a long-term parking area for boaters.

• Boundary Creek Campground Complex
• Dagger Falls Campground
• Middle Fork Transfer Camp & Trailhead
• Indian Springs Campsite
• Monte Cristo Camping Area
• Phillips Creek Transfer Camp Trailhead
• Tin Cup Campground
• Seafoam, Marsh Cr., Langer & Soldier Area (MF3)

  This area encompasses trails, trailheads, camping and other recreation sites that are generally accessed from the Seafoam area on the Middle Fork Ranger District. The Seafoam “bubble” is non-wilderness and contains the Josephus Campground and trailhead for the Soldier Lakes area. Be aware of the Wilderness boundaries.

• Josephus Lake Campground
• North Fork Ranger District

  North Fork Ranger District

• Ebenezer Campground
• Horse Creek Hot Spring & Campground
• Long Tom Picnic Picnic Area
• Cache Bar Boat Ramp
• Corn Creek Boat Ramp & Campground
• Deadwater Picnic Area
• Newland Ranch Picnic Site
• Spring Creek Campground
• Twin Creek Campground & Group Picnic
• Wagonhammer Picnic Area
• Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District

  Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District

  This Ranger District is expansive and takes in the Salmon river mountains and most of the forest that one can see from the town of Salmon. From boating at Williams Lake to hiking into the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, there is a wide variety of activities to choose from when recreating in "Salmon's Backyard". 

• Bighorn Crags Campground
• Yellowjacket Lake Campground
• Deep Creek Campground
• Iron Lake Campground
• Lost Spring Campground
• Mcdonald Flat Campground
• Wallace Lake Campground
• Cougar Point Campground
• Williams Creek Picnic Site
• Williams Lake Campground
• Williams Lake Day Use Area