10+ rock-solid ideas for Memorial Day weekend in Southwest Idaho

The Owyhees should be a fantastic place to be this weekend. Painted Canyon. 

Hi all,

Memorial Day weekend is upon us! Typically, Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the summer camping season, but in a year like this, living with the COVID-19 pandemic, plus chilly temperatures forecast for the mountains, camping might not be the first thing on your mind.

Personally, I'm going to be leaning more toward day trips close to home.

If your heart is set on camping this weekend, dress warm for the mountains ... it's supposed to snow in the mountains tonight ... and consider camping in the Owyhee Canyonlands while the conditions are primo for desert adventures.

High temperatures will be in the mid-50s in McCall and Stanley on Saturday, 60 on Sunday, and mid-60s on Monday. After a week of wet weather, things are shaping up nicely for the weekend!


Because of snow in the high country, the best camping destinations are going to be in the lower-elevation areas this weekend. Think below 5,500 - 6,000 feet. Remember that Idaho State Parks won't be opening campgrounds until May 30, but the parks are open for day use.

Remember to Recreate Responsibly during the coronavirus pandemic ... practice safe social-distancing practices when you're outdoors, keep six feet between you and others, go in small groups of 10 or less, practice good hygiene, wear masks when in close proximity to others, and if you're feeling sick, stay home.


So here are 10+ last-minute camping recommendations for Memorial Day weekend:

• Camping in the Owyhees should be excellent. Watch your step ... rattlesnakes may be emerging. Places like Leslie Gulch, Succor Creek State Park or the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area would all be good bets. Be sure to take my Owyhee Canyonlands guide with you for tips on hiking and biking near your camping destinations. 
• Morel mushrooms are popping in the Boise and Payette national forests. Morels are delicious and easy to identify. Look for them in the 4,500-foot to 5,000-foot elevation zone. See a recent  blog post on morel-picking in burn zones.  



Steve rowing the Bruneau with Ellie in the bow

• Go fishing! Memorial Day is often the annual kickoff to the summer fishing season. Many reservoirs, ponds and river sections have been freshly stocked. See IDFG Memorial Day fishing report.
• The Bruneau River is running at a perfect level right now for whitewater boating. Expert kayakers have been running the Jarbidge-Bruneau as well. I've heard it's been busy down there. But if you're going to organize a trip, now is the time.
• Go car-camping on the North Fork or Middle Fork of the Boise River. Check on road conditions with the Idaho City Ranger District. I'm not sure if you'll run into snow. The Middle Fork of the Boise River would work just fine, driving up along Lucky Peak and Arrowrock and continuing upstream.  
• Go camping in the national forest. Look for low-elevation sites in the Boise, Payette or Sawtooth National Forest ... see interactive map for sites that are shown in green (open).  Or, do a self-support camping trip and pick your own spot.
• Salmon River beaches! A great spring camping location is on the sweet white sandy beaches along the Salmon River, upstream of Riggins. There are numerous big beaches up there where you can set up a great camp, hang out by the river, do some floating on the Salmon and/or go hiking. Use caution around the Salmon River, though, because the river is running high and climbing at 46,000 cfs! The hike on the Wind River Trail via the Wind River Pack Bridge about 25 miles upstream of Riggins has a number of switchbacks as you climb higher and higher up the Salmon River canyon. That'd be a great hike right now. Rapid River Trail is great in Riggins, too.
• Take a day hike on the front side of the Owyhees ... See my Owyhee Canyonlands guide, available at most outdoor stores and book stores. I'd recommend Little Jacks Creek, the West Fork Shoofly Quick Loop, Between the Creeks, Toy Pass hikes, Reynolds Creek, Wilson Creek, Jump Creek Canyon or Wildcat Canyon. 
• Head up to the Lochsa River and go rafting on the biggest whitewater weekend of the year on the Lochsa.  
• Stay home and hike/ride/run in the Boise Foothills - It's super green, the wildflowers are out, and the trails will be dry by the weekend.
• Stay close to home and go for a road bike ride. See my Boise Road Cycling Guide for ideas. 
• Stay close to home and check out the Memorial Day sales at your favorite local outdoor stores. There are usually some great deals to be had, at up to 50% discounts! 

There you have it! Have a great weekend no matter what you do!

Sitting around the campfire is one of life's simple pleasures 

Spring hiking, biking in full swing in Boise Foothills, Owyhees; camping would be good, too!

The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
is an ideal spring destination for hiking, biking, boating and birding.

Hi all,

Mayor Bieter will be reporting on city affairs during my normal time on The River 94.9 FM tomorrow morning (7:30ish), so I don't have a new blog for this week.

Instead, I'll recommend some great spring trips from previous blogs:

• Hiking, biking and trail-running in the Boise Foothills is in full swing! Here's a blog I wrote about five recommended spring hikes, a cross-foothills biking trip and Watchman trail. From last March, the headline was "Boise Foothills dry up fast, ready for hiking, biking, trail-running; Have fun!"  Sound familiar? 
• Hiking, biking and camping in the Owyhees would be perfect this weekend. Here's one destination that is worth checking out near Succor Creek State Park, near Homedale. It's called Sage Creek. 
• Six spring camping recommendations - Bruneau Dunes State Park, Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, Celebration Park, Succor Creek State Park, Leslie Gulch and Steens Mountain. How can you go wrong? 

There you have it! 

I'm holding a yard sale for my son's AA travel hockey team on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. if you'd like to stop by. See our Craigslist ad for details ... 

I'm also working on finalizing a new version of Boise Trail Guide, which is growing from 75 hiking and running routes close to home, to 90 hiking and running routes close to home. The book will have a new cover and new photos inside as well. I'm hoping the book will be available for retail sales by mid-April. 

Have a good weekend!
-SS

Here's a hodge-podge of Idaho outdoorsy things to do this weekend or on spring break

Bruneau Dunes State Park

Great views when hiking in Succor Creek State Park

Leslie Gulch has many unique rock formations

Pruitt's Castle on the Lower Owyhee River

Big white sandy beaches on the Salmon River

Hells Canyon!

A Cooper's hawk

Hikers, runners and mountain bikers were everywhere in the Boise Foothills Thursday evening.

Hi all,

Oh. my. word. Suddenly the weather shifts to the dry and warm side in the Boise Valley for two days, and the trails are trying out rapidly in the Boise Foothills. You can bet the same thing is occurring in the Snake River canyon and the Owyhee foothills.

Wendy and I took our puppy "Huck" on the Kestrel-Red Cliffs loop in the Boise Foothills on Thursday evening, and the trails on the 5-mile loop were bone dry. We loved feeling the warm sunshine on our faces, hiking comfortably in shorts, and seeing all of the hawks and songbirds. We saw a pair of Cooper's hawks, kestrels, bunched-up robins migrating through, the sweet call of meadowlarks, and many other birds flying around. Spring is here! Yay!

The weather is looking fabulous this weekend, with temperatures pushing into the low 70s. It was in the low 60s today (Thursday), and it felt like 80. That will open up the possibilities for lots of things.

Here are some Idaho staycation suggestions for the weekend and Spring Break:

• Outdoor multitasking mania - It's that time of year when you can sneak in a little spring skiing in the morning at Bogus Basin, and then go play golf, tennis, road biking, mountain biking, or kayaking/rafting on the Payette River in the afternoon. You could probably work in more activities than that if you're creative. See my previous blog on the topic.
• Camping in the desert. With temperatures warming up quickly, it should be safe to go camping in the Snake River canyon below Swan Falls Dam, at Succor Creek State Park, Leslie Gulch or on BLM lands on the front side of the Owyhees. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended, because there is still a chance of rain in the forecast. You just never know this time of year.
• Go camping at a developed campground in the desert. If you'd like to pick a sure thing, head for Bruneau Dunes State Park and hike around on big sand dunes. It's a great spot for families and kids. You won't get stuck on muddy dirt roads here ... the park roads are all paved.
• Spring beach camping on the Salmon River. Maybe you didn't plan a trip to Mexico or Bora Bora this year. But you can still sift sand through your toes on the banks of the Salmon River, 10 miles upstream of Riggins or more, there are many beaches to consider for camping. Do a little day trip rafting, kayaking, steelhead fishing or hiking on the Wind River Trail.
• Spring hiking, camping or backpacking in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area via Pittsburg Landing, near Whitebird. See my previous blog about this trip. Hells Canyon is usually the warmest spot in Idaho.
• Float the Owyhee River. The Owyhee was flowing only 1,200 cfs as of Thursday evening, but this warm weather will bring it up some more. I bet there will be some early-birds launching on the Lower Owyhee River tomorrow or Saturday. See my previous blog on this topic.
• Go corn skiing in the backcountry. Go early before the snow gets too sloppy. Banner Ridge, Pilot Peak, Sunset Mountain, Copper Mountain and Stargaze yurt are all good locations for backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Bring plenty of sunscreen!
• Float the Payette River. The North Fork of the Payette River was cranking Thursday afternoon (we had a good glimpse on the way back from McCall) at 1,700 cfs, and the Main Payette was runnign at 3,400 cfs. There will be some early birds floating Cabarton in the snow, and a bunch of rafters and kayakers on the Main Payette. Spring boating is happening.
• Go steelhead fishing on the upper Salmon River between Corn Creek and Stanley. There are only a few weeks left in the season, and the fish are moving upstream to spawn. The nice weather should make for especially nice conditions for steelhead fishing. Check the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association web site for a guide, if you need one.

Hopefully those ideas will inspire a little adventure!

- SS