Payette National Forest, an Idaho National Forest

PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST

PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST
800 West Lakeside Avenue
McCall, Idaho 83638

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Payette National Forest

The Payette National Forest offers the visitor over 2.3 million acres to enjoy. Everything from the deep recesses of Hell's Canyon to peaks reaching elevations of almost 9,500 feet.

Dry desert grasslands compliment heavily forested acres. Gateways to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness lead the visitor to experience the solitude of seldom traveled trails.

To the west is the Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area, the deepest river gorge in North America. Stand on the canyons east rim and in some places you gaze down 8,000 feet to the Snake River that carved this canyon. Gaze across the ten mile wide chasm into the neighboring state of Oregon.

Located entirely within Idaho, the Payette NF shares lands with Adams, Idaho, Valley, and Washington Counties.

FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

Day-UseFishingyes

Huntingyes

Hiking Trailyes

Picnickingyes

The southern most reaches of the Payette Forest are accessed from Hwy 95. Ranger Districts located in the cities of Weiser and Council administer these lands. It provides the fastest routes to the Hell's Canyon Area. Many visitors begin their approach to the forest's northern sites from Boise, Idaho and reach the forest by traveling the Payette River Scenic Byway (Hwy 55). McCall, Idaho, 100 miles north of Boise is home to the McCall Ranger District and the Krassel Ranger District offices, along with the Supervisor's Office. Continue traveling north to the Hwy 55 junction with Hwy 95 to the city of New Meadows and the location of the fifth ranger district office. The New Meadows Ranger District lands are bisected by Hwy 95 as it heads north to Riggins, Idaho and the Salmon River country.