Chaffin Creek Trail # 528

The Chaffin Creek Trail #528 follows its namesake creek for approximately 6.3 miles. As the trail ascends 2,700 feet in elevation, hikers can expect to experience beautiful views of the forested areas along the creek with glimpses of the canyon mixed in. Climbing in elevation, the trail crosses some rocky talus areas and and becomes steep and difficult on the approach to Hart, Tamarack and Chaffin Lakes. Here, the lakes provide a scenic vista back into the valley while surrounded by towering granite walls and a prominent Sugarloaf Peak at 9,475' elevation.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

Food Storage Required: Bitterroot National Forest Food Storage Order

Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days: Camping Restrictions Regional Order

Weed Seed Free feed is required on all national forest land: Weed Free Forage Order for Northern Region

Campfires allowed, dependent upon seasonal fire restrictions.

Practice good trail etiquette by staying on designated paths, yielding to uphill users, and giving space to others.

Pets must be under control. Leashes are recommended to avoid user and wildlife conflicts. Properly dispose of animal waste bags. Do not put animal waste bags in vault toilets

Selway Bitterroot Wilderness party size is limited to a maximum 20 people and 20 head of pack and saddle stock.

Interactive Trail Clearing Status Map

Bitterroot National Forest Maps and Guides

Open year-round, snow dependent

Chaffin Creek Trail enters the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness at approximately mile 2.5

Leave No Trace

Prohibited uses include:

Motorized equipment and mechanized travel including e-bikes
No Drones in Wilderness areas
No cutting switchbacks

Contact Name: Darby-Sula Ranger District

Contact Phone: (406) 821-3913

Darby Ranger Station administrative office in the winter.

Address: 712 N. Main Darby, MT 59829
Phone: 406-821-3913
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Trailhead/Starting Points

Chaffin Creek Trailhead

Parking

Chaffin Creek Trailhead has adequate parking for approximately 4 passenger vehicles.

Directions

From Darby travel south for 4.3 miles on Highway 93. Turn south (right) on West Fork Rd and travel 0.2 miles. Turn west (right) onto Chaffin Creek Rd (National Forest Road #374) and go 2.5 miles to fork in road. Stay to the north (right) and road will become National Forest Road #716. Follow for approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead.