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| Home > Idaho > Baumgartner Trails |
Baumgartner Trails
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
| Other Names | Sawtooth National Forest, Fairfield Ranger District, Willow Creek, Shake Creek, Narrow Canyon Creek, Iron Mountain Trail, Jumbo Mountain, Deer Mountain, North Fork Lime Creek, Boardman Creek, Smokey Dome, Smokey Mountains, Kelley Flat, South Fork Boise River, Baumgartner Campground, Baumgartner Hot Springs, Ponderosa ATV Trail |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This part of the Sawtooth National Forest offers hundreds of miles of single track dirt bike trails and some challenging ATV trails that form long loops in a mixed pine tree forest. Most of the trails are smooth and fast with some shallow creek crossings and the occasional chunk rock but some sections have steep uphill and downhill descents with sharp switchbacks, making this area geared toward the advanced rider.
The Kelley Flat Staging Area offers direct access to beginner friendly learners loop and is the trailhead to Iron Mountain Lookout, a nine mile long linear ATV trail that is rugged and steep but has some rewarding mountain and forest views at the top near the lookout station. The Iron Mountain Lookout trail is limited to machines that are 48 inches or less in width and is steep and rugged.
There are numerous trailheads and campgrounds to choose from but Baumgartner Campground is the most popular choice as it not only offers nearby access to the trails but has a hot springs-fed soaking pool plus a natural swimming hole located to the west of the campground.
Reservations are recommended since this campground fills up fast, especially during regular and three day holiday weekends. Visitors should note that OHVS are not permitted on the roads within Baumgartner Campground, and unless street legal must be hauled to and from the staging areas.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | Idaho OHV Registration Sticker |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | A non-resident registration sticker must be purchased. (As of January 2020, Idaho no longer honors stickers from other states.) |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (48 inches) | has entrance gate and narrow terrain |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Some Areas | (maximum width 48 inches) permitted on designated trails |
 UTV & SXS | Some Areas | (maximum width 48 inches) permitted on designated trails |
 4x4 & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Youth Only | required for persons under 18 by state law (RiderPlanet strongly recommends helmets for all riders.) |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on the trail |
| Rule Enforcement |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | Yes Tent: $10.00 RV: $10.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $0.00 Baumgartner Campground Fee |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Excellent |
| Recommended Stay | 1 Week |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Featherville, ID | ||
| From: Boise, ID
1) Take I-84 East to Exit 95 2) Turn left (north-east) off the exit ramp onto Sun Valley Hwy/US-20, continue about 31 miles 3) Turn left (north) onto Hwy 61, continue 28 miles 4) Veer right (east) onto Baumgartner Road, continue 9.8 miles 5) Turn right (south-east) onto Forest Service Road 487, continue about .5 mile toward Baumgartner Campground. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Sawtooth National Forest - Fairfield Ranger District 102 1st Street East Fairfield, ID 83327 (208) 764-3202 mailroom_r4_sawtooth@fs.fed.us www.fs.usda.gov |
| Contact Info | Recreation.gov (877) 444-6777 www.recreation.gov |
| Comment | campground reservations |
| Contact Info | Idaho Parks And Recreation 5657 E. Warm Springs Ave Boise, ID 83716 (208) 334-4197 reghelpline@idpr.idaho.gov idahostateparks.reserveamerica.com |
| Comment | Idaho OHV Sticker Info |
Baumgartner Trails Photo
Photo Submitted 12/1/2017 (Thanks!)
Baumgartner Trails Photo
Photo Submitted 1/12/2020 (Thanks!)
ADD PHOTOS
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 420,720 acres (657 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 200 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 4800 to 7000 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Mostly | |
| Hard Pack |  Little | |
| Sand | Little | |
| Mud | Little | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks |  Some | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills |  Many | |
| Water Crossings | Many | |
| Small Jumps |  Few | |
| Large Jumps |  None | |
| Berms | Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track | Many | |
| Roads | None | |
| Shade | Many | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Little | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Some |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Nitz Pine Store (208) 653-2222 |
| Diesel | 30+ Miles (SE) | Camas Creek Country Store (208) 764-2211 |
 Water | On Site | Baumgartner Campground (208) 737-3200 |
 RV Hookup | 30+ Miles (SW) | Fort Running Bear RV and Camping Resort (208) 653-2494 |
 RV Disposal | 30+ Miles (SW) | Fort Running Bear RV and Camping Resort (208) 653-2494 |
| Campground | On Site | Baumgartner Campground (208) 737-3200 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (SW) | Nitz Pine Store (208) 653-2222 |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS