Snake River Trailhead

*UPDATE* The Kirkwood Creek stock bridge is now open.

The Snake River Trailhead is the main northern portal for the Snake River National Recreation Trail (#102) which provides access to the Hells Canyon Wilderness.

This trailhead provides a large parking area located along the Snake River with views of the canyon and grassy uplands. The site has a toilet and a parking for trucks with trailers.

Located nearby are Pittsburg Campground and Pittsburg Landing Boat Launch.

ALERT: Two rockslides on Bernard Creek Trail #58 above McGaffee Cabin have left the trail unpassable for stock and unsafe for hikers.

General Information

Year-round

Open 24 hours/day

General rules of use and restrictions apply for this developed recreation site. Wilderness Regulations apply within Hells Canyon Wildernes.

Within the Wild and Scenic Snake River corridor open campfires are not allowed within 1/4 of a mile of the Snake River, fire pans are required year-round.

No fee required.

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 45.622389

Longitude: -116.464175

Elevation

1290

Directions

From White Bird, Idaho head south on Highway 95 for about 0.5 miles to Old Highway 95 at mile marker 222 (sign indicates Pittsburg Landing and Hammer Creek Recreation Area); Turn right on Old Highway 95 and go about 1 mile to the bridge crossing the Salmon River; Turn left and cross the bridge; Immediately after the bridge turn left on the Deer Creek Road (also known as Forest Road 493); Travel on the Deer Creek Road for 16.5 miles to Forest Road 493A; Turn left on Forest Road 493A and go 1.3 miles to trailhead parking area. The trail follows the road going past the Upper Pittsburg Picnic Area and goes about 6 miles to Kirkwood Ranch and beyond.

From Riggins, Idaho head north on Highway 95 for about 27 miles to Old Highway 95 at mile marker 222 (sign indicates Pittsburg Landing and Hammer Creek Recreation Site); Turn left on Old Highway 95 and go about 1 mile to the bridge crossing the Salmon River; Turn left and cross the bridge; Immediately after the bridge turn left on the Deer Creek Road (also known as Forest Road 493); Travel on the Deer Creek Road for 16.5 miles to Forest Road 493A; Turn left on Forest Road 493A and go 1.3 miles to trailhead parking area. The trail follows the road going past the Upper Pittsburg Picnic Area and goes about 6 miles to Kirkwood Ranch and beyond.

Advisory: the Deer Creek Road and Forest Road 493 is a steep, narrow winding paved gravel road.