The Boise National Forest’s vast landscape spans over 2.5 million acres of diverse forest and grassland. Located northeast of Idaho’s capital city of Boise, recreationists can explore the North Fork Payette River Canyon at 2,800 feet in elevation to the nearly 10,000 foot peak of Trinity Mountain. Whether you choose to explore any of more than 500 trails, or cool off in one of over 250 lakes and reservoirs, the Boise National Forest is truly an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! For your safety, please check our Alerts and Notifications and Fire Information before recreating within the Forest.
Boise National Forest employees ask the public to please recreate responsibly (Idaho). Law enforcement and/or search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19 issues. High-risk activities such as rock climbing, etc. or backcountry activities that increase your chance of injury or distress should be avoided. We also encourage you to follow public health guidelines regarding social distancing while you recreate in National Forests. CDC Covid Health Guidelines
If the campground is closed, that means that there are no longer any services like reservations, campground hosts, fees, trash pick up, water and many of the out-houses and gates will be locked. Schedule for out-house and gate closures will vary depending on the District. If a gate is locked, you may choose to pack in and pack out of the campground. Please remember to take your trash with you.
Keep in mind, snow will arrive very soon at the higher elevations. Forest Roads ARE NOT PLOWED and there is NO CELL SERVICE. Call the Districts before you leave for the most current weather and road information. There are no longer Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in effect, but conditions remain very dry and we ask everyone to continue to be very careful with campfires.
View Each Ranger District For More Information About Recreational Opportunities
The Boise National Forest has 5 Ranger Districts, the Supervisor's Office, Lucky Peak Nursery and a Guard Station in Garden Valley and High Valley
Cascade RD- Featured areas: State Highway 55 and Forest Highway 22, Cascade Reservoir, Warm Lake, Johnson Creek, Landmark, Cascade and Yellowpine.
Emmett RD - Featured areas: Forest Highway 17, Sage Hen Reservoir, Middle and South Fork Payette River, Crouch and Garden Valley.
Idaho City RD - Featured areas: State Highway 21, Mores Creek, Granite Ck, Banner Ridge, Middle Fk Boise River, Barber Flats, Idaho City, Graham and Atlanta.
Lowman RD - Featured areas: State Highway 21 and Forest Highway 17, Deadwood Reservoir, Scott Mountain, Bear Valley, Bull Trout Lake, Lowman and a beautiful drive to Stanley, Idaho.
Mountain Home RD - Featured areas: State Highway 20, Anderson Ranch Reservoir, Little Camas Reservoir, Arrowrock Reservoir, South Fork Boise River, Shafer Butte and Trinities Recreation Area.
Lucky Peak Nursery - Featured: Established in 1959, the Lucky Peak Nursery grows trees, grasses and shrubs for National Forests in Southern Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Western Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Forest Service Issues Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Records of Decision for Greater Sage-grouse Conservation
The Intermountain and Rocky Mountain Regions of the Forests Service incorporated standards and guidelines for the conservation of greater sage-grouse into forest plans in 2015.
View the latest news about the Forest Service’s Greater Sage-Grouseconservation efforts.
The comments received have been summarized into a report. View the REPORT.
The Boise National Forest includes over 2.5 million acres of diverse forest and grassland. Every year, the Forest fire staff manages over 100 wildland fires within those acres.
The Boise National Forest offers over 7,600 miles of streams and rivers and more than 250 lakes and reservoirs that beckon water sports enthusiasts to raft, kayak, fish, sail, and water ski.
The U.S. Forest Service is a government agency that administers 193 million acres of the nation's 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands. View our photos and videos!
