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The monoliths were once an essential landmark for emigrants on the California Trail. Today, City of Rocks is a hot spot for hiking and climbing. An interpretive six-mile trail traverses the highest ridge of the dunes.
The trail is incredibly well maintained, making for an obstacle-free hike. The moderate 2,000 feet of elevation gain, however, adds some strain to calf muscles. Counterclockwise is the recommended way to go on the trail. Expect to encounter other trail users along the way. Also, expect big views of the surrounding Boise National Forest with each step.
Pioneer Cabin Trail, Sawtooth National Forest
Climbing approximately 500 feet over two miles, the Central Ridge Trail offers one of the best Boise skyline views from a hiking trail. This moderate hike is also perfect for making a loop or connecting to other higher trailheads. The trail does give some welcome distraction with sneak previews of the surrounding mountains.
It also navigates the surrounding desert-like environment. The trail officially starts near the park's visitor center, where sand sleds are available to rent. The trail is also accessible from the Broken Wheel and Eagle Cove Campgrounds. It's a manageable uphill hike to begin the Mineral Ridge Trail, with less than 700 feet of elevation gained in just over two miles. Markers on the trail match up with a trail guide available from the BLM. The trail guide describes the local flora, fauna, and history of the area.
Top hiking spots in and near Mountain Home
Here, hikers and bikers cross under the Deer Point Express chairlift to connect with the Around the Mountain Trail. The park's desert and marshland environments bookend either side of the hike. The real hiking highlight is traversing across the ridge of the sand dunes. It's awkward footing atop the shifting ridgeline, but it is rewarding to make it all the way across. Avoid this hike in midday summer, as the sand can become unbearably hot.
Also there are lots of bears so bear spray is a must. Over 2 days we hiked about 19 miles with lots of elevation gain. Wilderness Gateway Campground offers an excellent basecamp for many hiking adventures. Other popular hikes from the campground include the six-mile trek to Stanley Hot Springs.
Hike the Bruneau Sand Dunes
The 1.3-million-acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness is also at the backdoor of this aptly named campground. High above Boise, the Around the Mountain Trail circles every peak touched by Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area. The trail is most popular with mountain bikers, but this scenic six-mile route also attracts hikers and trail runners. And every type of user enjoys the big views around every turn.
Wilson Creek offers you a plethora of little waterfalls, an excellent view and more wildflowers than you can shake a stick at. You can hike to Alpine lake and Sawtooth lake from here, they are absolutely beautiful. You can hike further but when we went it was quite snowy so we couldn’t really get further than Sawtooth. The trailhead has a bathroom and there are lots of camping spots. The Sawtooth Lake trail is one of the most popular but hands-down one of the most beautiful trails in the entire US.
Best Hiking Trails in Idaho
Kepros Mountain Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see local wildlife located near Boise, Idaho. The Idaho Centennial Trail isn't as famous as other long-distance trails in the country. Few people have completed the entire trek to date. Parts of the trail are still under development, and thorough research needs to accompany any long-distance attempt. Idaho Parks and Recreation has published a Trail Guide, which is an excellent resource for planning.
Designated a national monument and preserve in 1924, the landscape of Craters of the Moon oozed into existence thousands of years ago. The promise of having the trail to yourself is encouraging but the payoff might not be worth it. Afterall, if the destination is incredible why do so many people look over the hike? Perhaps, the trail is just overlooked because little information exists about where the trailhead is located or even where the hike leads. We started our hike late in the day and weren’t able to get all the way through. Great view from this sweet rock about a third of the way up to lower palisades lake.
For more insight on the area's best trails, check out our article on the best hiking trails near Boise. Ridge to Rivers maintains over 190 miles of multi-use trails near Boise. One of the most picturesque paths to follow is the Central Ridge Trail within Military Reserve.
Other trails traverse ambling rivers with postcard-worthy scenery much of the way. The Lochsa Down River Trail is one of many great hiking trails in the area. The route follows the river, with moderate changes in elevation. Once used to supply a historic ranger cabin, the trail stretches between two trailheads on the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway . The southern trailhead is the photogenic Split Creek Bridge. The Central Ridge Trail traverses up the spine of the foothills.
A connector trail from the Lava Flow Campground, one of the best places to camp in Idaho, also accesses the trailhead. Consider hiking and riding at off-peak times to avoid congestion on the trails. You’ll need to put your adventurer hat on to find the trailhead for Wilson Creek. There is no trailhead nor a parking area to give away its location.
The hike traverses small rolling dunes before beginning it's ascent of the big dune. Record heavy snows and the resulting above average run off have closed most of the trail. As of April Only eastern most 9 miles remain open. Federal water managers predict above flood stage releases into June. Thus when flooding subsides you will not be able to ride the trail from one end to the other non stop. When it dries out it is still a great trail you will have to ride part and find the detour around the missing bridge to continue on.
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