Recreation
Deep Canyons, Deep Snow, Deep Wilderness
Come visit the Payette National Forest spring, summer, fall, or winter for a wide range of recreational activities during any of the four seasons: hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, skiing, and snowmobiling. You can find a spot on the Forest to indulge your recreational interest by looking at the opportunities or regions of the forest below.
Take a look at some Frequently Asked Questions for recreation on the Payette National Forest.
The Bear Basin area, on the McCall Ranger District, is just a few short miles from downtown McCall.
The Bear/Cuprum area is on the Council Ranger District. Access to the area is via the Council-Cuprum (FSR #002) road. As you travel the Council-Cuprum road, it
The Brownlee area is accessed from Highway 71 out of Cambridge, Idaho. The Brownlee drainage ranges from dry lower elevation canyons to the high mountain peaks.
The Council Mountain Area is on the Council Ranger District. The Middle Fork of the Weiser River is accessed on County Road 186 approximately 5 miles south
The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness encompasses nearly 2.4 million acres of rugged mountains, wild rivers and alpine lakes. The FCRONRW was design
From McCall, travel five miles west on Highway 55. Turn right on Goose Lake Road/Forest Road #257 and proceed nine miles north.
From McCall, travel five miles west on Highway 55. Turn right on Goose Lake Road/Forest Road #257.
The Hells Canyon/Seven Devils Area is a special place on the Council Ranger District of the Payette National Forest.
The Hornet area and east facing slopes of Cuddy Mountain are on the Council Ranger District. These areas are accessed by traveling on the Council - Cuprum Road (FS Ro
The Lick Creek area is just east of McCall and is accessed from Lick Creek Road. This is a beautiful area that many think of as the Alps of Idaho. The
From Highway 95 south of the town of Council, turn east on Indian Valley Road.
The Lost Valley area is on the New Meadows Ranger District. Just south of New Meadows, the Lost Valley Reservoir is a popular spot for boating, camping and OHV riding
The “Wild” section of the Main Salmon River cascades for 78 miles from Corn Creek to Long Tom Bar through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and the Gospel Hump
The Mann Creek corridor leads to many recreational opportunities, and further on to Sturgill Peak and Hitt Mountain. These areas are on the Weiser Ranger District and
Right in McCall’s backyard, the McCall Ranger District includes many of the most accessible and popular recreational sites for residents of and visitors to McCall.
The Paddy Flat area is located southeast of McCall on the McCall Ranger District. Paddy Flat is accessed from Paddy Flat road a few miles north of Donnelly, Idaho.&nb
The Secesh/Warren area covers a large area on the McCall Ranger District that is accessible by automobiles. This recreation area begins along Warren Wagon Road at the
About ten miles north of New Meadows, on Highway 95, the Smokey Boulder Road (FSR #074) leads into the hills on the west side of the highway and loops south meeting the hig
This highly popular area of the Forest is one of the earlier areas to be snow-free in the spring.
The West Pine Creek/Mill Creek area is accessed from Highway 71 out of Cambridge. West Pine Creek road is approximately 4 miles out of Cambridge and travels acr
Bear Basin Trailhead
Bear Creek Trailhead
Bear Pete Trailhead
Big Bar Camping Area
Big Creek Campground
Big Creek/Smith Creek Trailhead
Big Dave Creek Trailhead