Payette National Forest

Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are some of the most commonly asked questions received by the Forest. Hopefully, we were able to provide you with an answer that you were looking for. Please feel free to contact us if you do not find the information you were searching for, or if you need more information.

1. Does the Payette Forest have any cabins or lookouts for rent?

2. Can I take my dog with me to the campground and hiking on trails?

3. Can I camp in areas outside of developed campgrounds?

4. How can I get a camping spot and what do I need to know?

5. Where can I go hiking?

6. Why are gates locked or roads posted?

7. What is "Wilderness"?

8. Do I need to have certified weed-free hay on the National Forest for my horses?

9. What is the Adopt-A-Trail Program and how can I become involved?

Does the Payette Forest have any cabins or lookouts for rent?
Currently there are no lookout rentals available on the Forest. Two cabins, both located on the Council Ranger District, (Buck Park Cabin and Summer's Grave Cabin) are available during the summer season. You can reserve these cabins by contacting the National Recreation Reservation Service, either by calling 1-877-444-6777 or visiting their website www.reserveusa.com.

Can I take my dog with me to the campground and hiking on trails?
You certainly can, but dogs must be on a leash in all campgrounds, in all picnic areas, and at all trailheads, at all times.

Can I camp in areas outside of developed campgrounds?
Yes, dispersed camping is permitted on the forest. You are allowed to camp almost anywhere in the forest unless it is posted otherwise. But you have a responsibility to leave the area as you found it. Practice No-Trace camping guidelines and you will go a long way towards protecting precious resources.

You may also discover areas that have historically been used as camping areas. These "dispersed camping or undeveloped campgrounds" are campgrounds without any facilities and are generally found along roads, rivers, and some popular trails. Try to refrain from impacting these areas any more than is already done,that is by building additional fire rings, or by leveling more ground for tent spaces. Also, there is no maintenance done on any of these "campgrounds" so please remember: Pack it in, pack it out.

Finally, on the Payette NF you are permitted to camp for a period of no more than 18 days within any 30 consecutive days, within five miles of the same site. The exception to the 18 day limit is within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness area, which has a limit of 14 days.

How can I get a camping spot and what do I need to know?
Developed campgrounds on the Forest Service land generally have sanitation facilities, designated camping places, firepits, and very often facilities for drinking water. Most of the Payette NF campgrounds are in remote areas, lacking those amenities found more often in national or state park campgrounds, such as electrical hookups. Many camping sites on the forest are held on a first come, first serve basis. However, it is possible to reserve an individual or group site at Upper Payette Lake Campground, Cold Spring Campground, or Spring Creek Campground by contacting the National Recreation Reservation Service. You may call them at 1-877-444-6777 or visit their website at www.reserveusa.com. There will still be sites available on first come, first serve at all three of these campgrounds, but you now have the option of reserving in advance for those busy summer weekends.

Where can I go hiking?
There are over 2000 miles of trail for all users to enjoy. The trail page lists several of the more popular trails with a short descriptor. For those wanting to find true solitude numerous less popular trails where a solitary day on a forest trail is almost guaranteed. Remember that major trails to popular destinations are maintained periodically, but erosion and downed trees may make some backcountry trails impassable. Some trails, especially in the wilderness, may not be discernible and indicate general routes of travel only. For detailed information on trails or for the Visitor Map contact any of the Payette National Forest offices.

Why are gates locked or roads posted?
Land managers use access restrictions, such as total and partial road or trail closures, or seasonal and permanent area closures for a variety of reasons. Such as wildlife protection, water quality and erosion control, public safety, conflict of use, and legal mandates.

While open roads are needed for many types of forest recreation and management, they can cause problems for watershed, fish, and wildlife. By restricting use on some forest roads and trails for all or part of the year, wildlife is less vulnerable, with deer and elk having a greater area to hide. It ensures protection of calving areas, winter range, and migration routes. In turn, this management should provide for continued healthy herds and will prevent overharvesting. Hunters and all other recreationists will benefit along with the wildlife.

Please support travel management. It is a tool that provides more forest benefits with fewer impacts to sensitive forest resources.

What is "Wilderness"?
Wilderness designation and classification is decided by Congressional action. The Wilderness Act of 1964, states that wilderness areas are areas "where earth and its community of life remains untrammeled, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." The Payette National Forest has portions of two classified wildernesses. The Hells Canyon Wilderness (administered by the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area) is associated with the deepest gorge in the United States. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness at 2.2 million acres, is one of the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48.

Do I need to have certified weed-free hay on the National Forest for my horses?
Virtually all National Forests in the Intermountain Region require certified weed free hay. To learn more about the Idaho weed-free program information contact the County Weed Control Superintendent for your county, or visit the Idaho Weed Awareness Website link.

What is the Adopt-A-Trail Program and how can I become involved?

With approximately 2,000 miles of trail on the Payette National Forest available for hiking, horseback riding, biking, skiing, and motorized vehicle use, your help in maintaining them is not only welcomed, but encouraged. Individuals and groups can help maintain these trails and restore or protect resources in our area by "adopting" a trail or a section of trail. Your group would return on a continuing basis to ensure that the trail you adopt would remain in good condition. In general the type of work needed would be to remove rock and debris from the trail, to cut out downed logs, to trim brush, and remove litter. Your group decides which trail to work on and how much you willing to take on. Then an agreement between your group and the Forest Service is entered into. The Forest Service provides technical direction, information about trail maintenance standards, basic training, and some tools or materials. You provide the time, the muscle, supervision, and energy to keep the trail in good repair.

Adopting a trail is a real commitment The Forest Service depends on your group to accomplish the work that they sign up for - and they appreciate every bit of effort you put into it. Think about it - the work is very rewarding. For more information about the program contact Al Becker, Natural Resource Specialist, by email or by phone (208) 634-0714.

US Forest Service - Payette National Forest
Last Modified: Thursday, 30 November 2006 at 12:44:11 EST