Payette National Forest
 

Recreation
Bear Pete Trail Sign (MTB)

So Much To Do & See

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. Click here for an in-depth look at the Payette National Forest's niche. 

We have an app for that! Have you downloaded the "National Forest & Grasslands Explorer" app to your smartphone yet? Get information for your next back-road or backcountry adventure right in your back pocket. Just be sure to download the app before you leave town since cell service is intermittent. 

Are you looking for your next great adventure?

Whether you are looking for details on day hikes, convenient campgrounds, or an awesome ATV ride, here are some resources to get you on the road to your next outing:

  • Recreation.gov: Reservations for individual or group sites at Cold Springs, Grouse, Spring Creek, and Upper Payette Lake campgrounds can now be made in advance. 
  • Payette National Forest Interactive Trail Status Map: Check out this link for information about the maintenance status of trails on the Payette National Forest.
  • Interactive Visitor Map: For all things recreation on the National Forests, check out this link, or scroll down to the Recreation Map below. You’ll find information on campgrounds, trails and trailheads, picnicking, water play and more! Check out the link to learn about any National Forest in the country. It’s All Yours.

Some tips to help you enjoy your recreation experience...

Be Careful with Fire! Never leave your campfire unattended. When you leave, put it out, dead out!  See Forest Orders for any current fire restrictions. Click here to listen to the 30 second Campfire Podcast or here for the transcript.

FIREWORKS are not allowed on the National Forest.

Bag your trash and take it home with you. Help us keep our forests clean and green by "Packing It Out!"

When camping or picnicking, please keep your site clean, free from trash and food. Otherwise animals and insects are attracted to your site.

Human waste is a big problem when thousands of people converge on the Forest. Please see Leave No Trace - Dispose of Waste Properly for detailed instructions on handling this "delicate" situation.

Driving motorized vehicles on the Forest

Keep motor vehicles on designated routes and areas. If you plan on camping, driving off-highway vehicles, hunting, or exploring the backcountry, get a free Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) to know which roads are open to motor vehicle use. Know before you go. This map is also available for download on the Avenza app.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
Big Creek Campground Closed to Visitor Anticipated opening: July 4
Big Flat Campground Open to Visitor
Brownlee Campground Open to Visitor
Buck Park Cabin Closed to Visitor Anticipated opening: July 1. See availability and reserve up to six months in advance at: recreation.gov.
Buckhorn Bar Campground Open to Visitor Water system is not yet in service. Bring your own water.
Burgdorf Campground Open to Visitor
Cabin Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Camp Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Chinook Campground Open to Visitor
Cold Springs Campground Open to Visitor Several sites are reserveable up to six months in advance at: recreation.gov.
Cold Springs Group Campground Open to Visitor Sites may be reserved up to 12 months in advance at: recreation.gov.
Deadman Bar Campground Open to Visitor
Evergreen Campground Open to Visitor
Four Mile Campground Open to Visitor
Grouse Campground Closed to Visitor Anticipated opening: June 15. Several sites are reserveable up to six months in advance at: recreation.gov.
Hazard Lake Campground Closed to Visitor Anticipated opening: June 28
Huckleberry Campground Open to Visitor
Jeanette Campground Open to Visitor
Justrite Campground Open to Visitor
Kennally Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Kiwanis Campground Open to Visitor
Lafferty Campground Open to Visitor
Lake Fork Campground Open to Visitor
Last Chance Campground Open to Visitor **June 21-June 25 - 1-2 hour delays possible along road to campground due to logging operations.**
Mann Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Paddy Flat Guard Station Rental Cabin Closed to Visitor See availability and reserve up to six months in advance at: recreation.gov.
Paradise Campground Open to Visitor
Ponderosa Campground Open to Visitor Water system is not in service. Bring your own water.
Poverty Flat Campground Open to Visitor
Secesh Campground Open to Visitor
Spring Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Upper Payette Lake Campground Closed to Visitor Anticipated opening: June 28. Several sites are reservable, up to six months in advance, at: www.recreation.gov.
Upper Payette Lake Group Campground Closed to Visitor Anticipated opening: June 28. View availability and make reservations up to 12 months in advance at: recreation.gov. 

Alerts & Warnings

View All Forest Alerts   

Quick Links
Areas & Activities
Trail Status Map Preview

Payette Interactive Trail Status Map Link opens in a new window


Recreation.gov logo

Recreation.gov Link opens in a new window


Front page of the 2020 Visitor Guide

PNF Visitor Guide Link opens in a Pdf Document

 


https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/payette/recreation