Hiking
Hiking is a wonderful way to see and experience the scenery and varied landscape of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Maps and mapping applications should be squared away before leaving town as most areas on the Salmon-Challis are far from cell phone coverage. Check out the Idaho Parks & Recreation Trail mapping application for up-to-date routes and downloadable maps. Please follow these safety tips to ensure a safe journey:
- Being prepared includes knowing how to be a responsible hiker. Learn more on our Responsible Recreation page.
- Stay on marked trails.
- Don’t hike alone. Let the slowest person in your party set the pace. This is especially important when children are a part of your group.
- Leave your itinerary with a friend or family member and check in with them upon your return.
- Develop an emergency plan before you start your trip. Make sure everyone knows what to do if they become lost or a medical emergency arises. Give children whistles with the instructions to "stop and blow" if they become lost.
- Take frequent rests or vary your pace to maintain your energy level.
- Drink plenty of water, even on cool, wet days. Never drink your entire supply between refills.
- Wear appropriate clothing, including sturdy boots that are broken in and are comfortable.
- Consider using a hiking pole or walking stick to help maintain your balance in unlevel or hazardous areas.
- Be aware of your surroundings, and pre-plan your approach before hiking through more hazardous areas. Wet surfaces can be a hazard and even more so if it's on a slope.
- Consider what you'll do if you start to slide or fall so that you are prepared.
- If falling, do not try to catch yourself; try to avoid landing on your hands, elbows or knees. Landing on the side of your body is much safer.
- If the slope is such where you know you are going to slide, lowering your center of gravity, by sitting down and sliding on your feet or bottom, is safer.
- If sliding while standing up, keep your weight over your feet and bend your knees—do not lean back or forward while sliding.
- If on a day hike, extra weight wears you down and reduces your agility over uneven terrain. Pack as light as possible. Leave the extras behind, but consider bringing these essentials:
- Map
- Sunglasses and a hat
- Sunscreen
- Flashlight
- Waterproof matches
- First aid kit
- Water and water-purifying tablets
- High-energy bars, granola, candy, or fruit
- Extra clothing. Temperatures can change dramatically, particularly if there is an elevation change. For every 1,000 feet of elevation gain, the temperature often drops three to five degrees.
Search for Hiking Opportunities
East Fork Area
The district has several miles of trails in the East Fork of the Salmon River country. Access for these trails is generally from BLM lands. Please respect private property when recreating in this…
Eleven Mile Trailhead
This site has a toilet and hitching rails.
Everett Decora Trailhead
A popular Wilderness portal, this trailhead accesses Camas Creek Trail #6044. The trailhead is named after an early rancher and packer from the area. To access the trailhead, Travel north from…
Fall Creek Trailhead
One accessible camping spot, with accessible toilet, located in open sagebrush.The trailhead accesses 3 trails: Waterfall accessible trail (4344), Fall Creek (4045) and Moose Lake (4068).
Iron Lake Campground
Eight campsites with picnic tables and fire rings are along the shores of this high alpine lake. the campground has piped drinking water and vault toilets but no garbage services are available. The…
King Mountain Launch Site
This area is a launch site for hangliders with picnic table and windsock at lower launch site, and a metal launch ramp at the upper launch site.
Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground
This area has four camping units in an open sage brush area adjacent to Lake Creek with one vault toilet. Hitching rails and loading ramp are available outside of the campground. Horses are not…
Leadore Ranger District
Site Open
Leadore Ranger District
Lemhi Range Area
These are the areas located in the Lemhi Mountain Range south of Sawmill Canyon.
Little West Fork Morgan Creek Trailhead
One site with picnic table and fire ring, near trail access to Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Camp area amenities include a vault toilet. No drinking water or garbage service is on site.