Boise National Forest

Welcome!

A Quick Overview

The Boise National Forest is located north and east of the city of Boise, Idaho.

Size: About 2,612,000 acres

Topography: Elevations range from 2,600 to 9,800 feet. The mountainous landscape developed through uplifting, faulting, and stream cutting. Most of the land lies within the Idaho Batholith, a large and highly erodable geologic formation.

Major rivers: Boise and Payette Rivers; South and Middle Fork drainages of the Salmon River.

Conifer forest covers most of the Boise National Forest. Tree species include ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine, grand fir, subalpine fir, western larch and whitebark pine. Shrubs and grasses grow in the non-forested areas. Wildflowers splash color in both forests and shrub-land.

The Forest contains large expanses of summer range for big game species like mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk. Trout are native to most streams and lakes. Oceangoing salmon and steelhead inhabit tributaries of the Salmon River.

News

September 12, 2008 - Termination Order for 0402-01-19 of Cayuse Creek Road (.pdf - 13 Kb)

August 26, 2008 - South Barker Fire, Idaho City Ranger District, Trail Closure - August 26, 2008 | Map (Trails) | Map (Area, Road, Trail and Campground)
Barker Fire Closure Order on the Sawtooth National Forest - August 27, 2008 | Map (.pdf - 952 Kb)

Explorer Program

From fishing in a cool mountain lake to camping under the stars, our mission is to help children and families re-connect with the great outdoors, while building the next generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

Visiting The Boise National Forest?

We would love to see you during your visit!

Find Out! - Call ahead to Ranger District offices to obtain the latest fire updates for the area you wish to visit.

Plan! - We can help you plan your visit.

Be Safe! - Make sure you leave information about where you are going with friends or family at home.

Enjoy! - Your visit to the Boise National Forest has much to offer and enjoy.

Boise NF Lakes Slide Show

Enjoy the beauty of Boise NF lakes with this beautiful slide show. All lakes shown in the slide show were photographed on the Boise National Forest by Michael S. Kellett, Forest Fisheries Biologist. Download Zip File - 61 MB

2007 Annual Report (417 Kb)

Motor Vehicle Use Maps for the Mountain Home Ranger District (East | West)

Roadside Hazard Tree Removal Project on the Lowman Ranger District (8/08)

South Fork Salmon River Recreation Access Management Project Proposal and Cover Letter (8/08)