Lower East Fork Ranger Cabin No. 9

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Today we will be traveling about one to three hours from Boise, Idaho north along Highway 55 to the very small community of Banks, and then on the Middle Fork Payette River. Although small, Banks is a major access point for whitewater rafting and kayaking where the North Fork and the South Fork of the Payette River merge. Both private and commercial rafters launch from this site to enjoy a few hour trip on the river encountering mostly class one and two rapids. Turning east at Banks, we will then follow Highway 17, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway, 9 miles to the turnoff of the Middle Fork of the Payette River road heading to Crouch. Crouch is a small historic town located next to the Middle Fork of the Payette River. It is home to several businesses, restaurants, and shops all within walking distance of each other. From Crouch we travel north along Forest road 698 known as the Middle Fork Payette River Road, and discover seven campgrounds and one cabin all located within a beautiful forest canopy. Many of the campsites are nestled next to a creek or river providing optimal trout fishing opportunities. Traveling ten miles north of Crouch, we arrive at the first campground, Tie Creek Campground. It has eight sites and can accommodate recreation vehicles up to 35 feet in length. The campground is not on the reservation system and is first come, first served. It is a very peaceful setting under a mixed ponderosa pine forest with plenty of fishing, hunting or site seeing opportunities. We like coming up here to ride four wheelers and it is close to town so we can come up on the weekends. We like to go swimming and let the kids play in the creek. That you can sleep in a camper and a tent. Next just a mile further is Hardscrabble Campground. It only has six sites all of which can accommodate vehicles up to 30 feet in length. There is no drinking water available. The campground is also on a first come, first served basis. Nearby trails offer plenty of huckleberries to gather in August. Continuing another few miles we arrive at the Rattlesnake Campground. With nine single sites and one double site. The entire campground can be reserved as a large accessible group site. The group site can accommodate up to 100 people. Ten parking spurs are available for an RV up to75 feet in length and this is a great place to have a family reunion. Trail Creek Campground is just a short 4 miles from Rattlesnake Campground. With 11 sites and RV access of 35 feet, this campground lies at the intersection of Forest road 698 and 671. It is is not on the reservation system and is first come, first served. There are lots of birds, chipmunks and butterflies to enjoy watching. Forest road 671 road is a good choice and the shorter route to the Silver Creek Campground, Peace Valley Campground or the Silver Creek Plunge if that is your destination. Today we continue our journey north along the Middle Fork of the Payette Forest road 698 to our next stop the Boiling Springs Campground and Cabin. The Boiling Springs Campground has 9 units and a maximum RV length of 30 feet. There is drinking water, a swimming area, and hiking trails that lead to several hot springs. The campground is not on the reservation system and is first come, first served. I like sleeping in tents. I like just listening to the river flow when I am like laying in bed. Kind of like sooths your mind, do you know what I mean? The Middle Fork of the Payette River is often enjoyed by tubers and rafters on hot summer days. There are plenty of nearby trails open to motorized and non-motorized users. Be sure to obtain a free motor vehicle use map from either the Boise National Forest web page or at a ranger station. The Boiling Springs Cabin is available by reservation only at www.recreation.gov and is a popular destination for those who enjoy soaking in mineral hot springs. The cabin is accessible by car in the summer months and by snowmobile in the winter. Constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the two room cabin sleeps up to six people and was originally used to watch for wildfires. The cabin has drinking water and a vault toilet. Guests will need to bring some supplies and equipment to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay. In 2003 the Boise National Forest cut a beautiful seventy foot Engelmann spruce in from of the cabin which was delivered to the nation’s capital. From Boiling Springs Campground, we now travel east on Forest road 678 past the turnoff to the Silver Creek Lookout, which can be visited and head south on Forest read 671 arriving at the Peace Valley Campground. This campground is a beautiful peaceful group site. The five campsites are arranged in an extended circle and can accommodate up to 50 people. There is a small picnic shelter, parking spurs for vehicles 30 feet in length, a vaulted toilet and drinking water. Our last stop along the Forest road 671 is the Silver Creek Campground. This large fully accessible campground has 57 sites and includes two large group sites. It was totally reconstructed in 2010 and now offers a paved road and parking spurs, drinking water, and vault toilets. The two large group sites include Lodgepole Springs which can accommodate up to 80 people, and the Cabin Creek site which can accommodate up to 100 people. Campsites are next to Silver Creek and there is plenty of ATV riding, hiking and fish opportunities. Another favorite attraction adjacent to Silver Creek Campground is the Silver Creek Plunge. It is a privately owned and developed hot springs resort with a large pool, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, a snack bar and grocery area and campsites. With the exception of Tie Creek, Hardscrabble, Trail Creek and Boiling Springs Campgrounds Further information is available by calling Boise National Forest at area code 208-373-4007.