| The Boise National Forest consists of about 2,612,000 acres of National Forest System Lands located north and east of the city of Boise Idaho. Intermingled with the Boise National Forest are about 348,000 acres of land owned or administered by private citizens or corporations of the State of Idaho, and other Federal agencies.Most of the land supports and evergreen forest that includes pure or mixed stands of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine, and subalpine fir. Brush-grasses are found in the non-timbered areas of Boise National Forest. The forest contains large areas of summer range for big game species including mule deer and Rocky Mountain Elk. Trout are native to most streams and lakes, while ocean-going salmon and steelhead inhabit the many tributaries of the Salmon River. Fishing is available in much of the water within the Boise National Forest; check the local fishing regulations before heading out.Most of the Boise National Forest lies within the Idaho Batholith - a large erosive geologic formation. Through uplift, faulting and subsequent dissection by stream cutting action, a mountainous landscape has developed. With elevations ranging from 2,600 to 9,800 feet, this forest is a great place to hike and explore.The major river systems represented in the Boise National Forest are the Boise and Payette Rivers, and the South and Middle Fork drainages of the Salmon River. The average annual precipitation ranges from 15 inches at lower elevations to 70 inches at higher elevations.There are many year round recreational opportunities to enjoy on the Boise National Forest. Visitors will find over 70 campgrounds and picnic areas providing a variety of facilities. Several of the campgrounds provide access for the physically challenged.For those who want solitude the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness has lots of it, as do other undeveloped areas throughout the Boise National Forest. In addition, portions of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, are easily accessed from a number of the forest's campgrounds and trailheads. These rugged areas are famous for their scenery.There are many opportunities for general or dispersed recreation. Big game hunting and trout fishing are popular activities here. Over 7,600 miles of streams and more than 250 lakes are reservoirs offer excellent water sports activities including rafting, kayaking, sailing, and water skiing.Visitors can hike, ride horseback, or motorbike on over 850 miles of trails. Three of theses trails have been established as National Recreation Trails: William H. Pogue (motorized/non-motorized travel), Whoop-Um-Up (cross-county skiing), and Hull's Gulch (non-motorized travel)Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, alpine and Nordic skiing, and ice fishing are popular winter activities on the Boise National Forest. Many of the snow trails are regularly groomed. |
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