Scenic Drives
The Payette National Forest is home to a variety of scenic byways and enjoyable drives. These routes meander through foothills, mountain valleys, canyons, passes, forests, and wide-open valleys with expansive vistas. Numerous pull-offs along the way invite visitors to slow down and soak in the sights and sounds along their drives. Along the way are some great locations for camping, hiking, and fishing.
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Brownlee and Cuddy Mountain
The Brownlee drainage ranges from dry lower elevation canyons to the high mountain peak of Cuddy Mountain. From Highway 95 at Cambridge take Highway 71 15 miles to Forest Road #044 and the Brownlee…
Burgdorf Hot Springs and Main Salmon River
From McCall take Warren Wagon Road north to the junction with the Burgdorf Road (Forest Road #246). Again the road is paved the first 30 miles. Turn left onto road #246. Travel approximately 2 miles…
Goose Lake Road #257
The Goose Lake Road (also known as Brundage Mountain road) provides access to Brundage Reservoir, Granite Lake, Goose Lake, Hazard Lakes and Lava Butte. The area encompasses high mountain meadows…
Lick Creek Road to South Fork Salmon River
From McCall take Park Street to Davis Street, to Lick Creek Road (Forest Road #48). You will drive past Little Payette Lake, Browns Pond, Lake Fork Campground and Slick Rock (8.5 miles). This road…
Lost Valley Reservoir
Lost Valley Reservoir road (Forest Road #089) provides access to Lost Valley Reservoir, Rapid River Wild & Scenic River, and numerous other streams. This area provides opportunities for fishing,…
Old East Fork Camping Area
This is a dispersed camping area located along the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River. The site is full during the Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival held in late July to early August most…
Sheep Rock and Horse Mountain Lookout
The Sheep Rock area provides for spectacular mountain scenery as well as down into Hells Canyon Scenic Area and the Hells Canyon Nation Recreation Area. Several trails originate from the Sheep Rock…
Shiefer Campground
Shiefer Campground is an undeveloped site on the Salmon River with views of the South Fork canyon country all around. Trails lead along the river into the Frank Church River of No Return…
Sturgill Peak Lookout
The Sturgill Peak Lookout offers striking views in any direction. Prior to 1933 Sturgill Peak was used as one of the patrol points by a guard stationed just below the pass between Hitt Peak and…
Warren Auto Tour
The Warren Auto Tour takes you 45 miles to the town of Warren through some of Idaho's most scenic and historically significant mountain country in the Payette National Forest.The audio file can be…