Park
Clearwater National Forest
Today high
--
Tonight low
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Campgrounds
39
Trails
60
Points of interest
1
Next 24 hours
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Clearwater National Forest
Idaho · Clearwater watershed
About this park
Clearwater National Forest
Clearwater National Forest, located in the state of Idaho, is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful forests, rivers, and wildlife. The forest covers an area of about 1.8 million acres and is home to several unique species of flora and fauna.
One of the main attractions of the Clearwater National Forest is its hiking trails, which offer breathtaking views of the forest and surrounding mountains. Some of the popular hiking trails include the Lolo Trail, Kelly Creek, and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
The forest is also known for its fishing opportunities, with several rivers and streams that are home to trout, steelhead, and salmon. The Selway River, in particular, is a popular spot for fly-fishing.
There are several points of interest to see in the Clearwater National Forest, including the Dworshak Dam, the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, and the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station.
Interesting facts about the area include that it is home to the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states, the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and the forest is also home to several endangered species, such as the grizzly bear and the Canadian lynx.
The best time of year to visit the Clearwater National Forest is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the hiking trails are accessible. However, visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and should always bring warm clothing and rain gear.
Overall, the Clearwater National Forest offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Idaho's natural landscapes and wildlife.
One of the main attractions of the Clearwater National Forest is its hiking trails, which offer breathtaking views of the forest and surrounding mountains. Some of the popular hiking trails include the Lolo Trail, Kelly Creek, and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
The forest is also known for its fishing opportunities, with several rivers and streams that are home to trout, steelhead, and salmon. The Selway River, in particular, is a popular spot for fly-fishing.
There are several points of interest to see in the Clearwater National Forest, including the Dworshak Dam, the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, and the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station.
Interesting facts about the area include that it is home to the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states, the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and the forest is also home to several endangered species, such as the grizzly bear and the Canadian lynx.
The best time of year to visit the Clearwater National Forest is during the summer months, when the weather is mild and the hiking trails are accessible. However, visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and should always bring warm clothing and rain gear.
Overall, the Clearwater National Forest offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Idaho's natural landscapes and wildlife.
StateIdaho
WatershedClearwater
Latitude46.1161°
Longitude-115.7819°
In the park
Streamflow in Clearwater National Forest
Live USGS discharge at streamgauges inside the park boundary.
In the park
Snowpack in Clearwater National Forest
Current snow depth at SNOTEL stations inside the park boundary.
In the park
Trails in Clearwater National Forest
Named trails whose route falls inside the park.
5052
1.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Beaver Ridge Road B
2.6 mi · Hiking, Running
Beaver Saddle Road
1.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Big Basin Road
12.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Boulder Creek Trail
24.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Bridge Creek Road G
2.6 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Brushy Face Road
6.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Brushy Road
4.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Bugle Point Trail
6.2 mi · Hiking, Running
Camp Moosehorn Road
6.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Cedar Creek Contour Road
1.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Colgate Licks Nrt
0.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Colt Killed Trail
13.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Cook Mountain Trail
8.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Cooperation Trail
12.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Cougar Creek Road
12.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Diablo Mountain Trail
3.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Dora Creek Road
1.9 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
East Fork French Road A
0.9 mi · Hiking, Running
East Fork Spruce Creek Road
2.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Eldorado Ridge Road
2.5 mi · Hiking, Running
Elk Mountain Road
11.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Elmer Creek Trail
3.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Fish Creek Trail
4.2 mi · Hiking, Running
High Mountain Meadows Interpretive Trail
0.3 mi · Hiking, Running
Hook Lodge Road
13.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Idaho Centenial Trail
344.7 mi · Hiking, Running
Junction Creek Trail
6.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Larch Butte Road
2.7 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Lean To Ridge Road
37.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
31.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
11.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Lolo
3.1 mi · Hiking, Running
Martin Creek Road N
2.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Mile 50 Road
1.3 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Mount Fugi Road
0.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Mud Creek Road B
0.4 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Music Line Road
8.7 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Nimiipu Trail
14.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Nimiipu Trail
4.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Nimiipu Trail
2.5 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Nimiipu Trail
2.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Nimiipu Trail
1.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Nimiipu Trail
3.4 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Old Walton Lakes Trail
1.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Osier Dranage Road 5
4.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Snow Creek Road A
0.9 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Tamarack Point Road
1.1 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Tamarack Ridge Road G
1.5 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Tom Beall Creek Trail
3.0 mi · Hiking, Running
Tumble Creek Road B
0.4 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Upper Cool Creek Road
4.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Upper Packers Meadow Road
1.8 mi · Hiking, Running
Van Camp Trail
3.9 mi · Hiking, Running
Warm Springs Creek Trail
0.0 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
Weitas Creek Trail
18.4 mi · Hiking, Running
Wendover Road
6.0 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
West Lee Creek Road
6.4 mi · Biking, Hiking, Running
West Polar Road
2.7 mi · Biking, Hiking, Horseback, Running
Wounded Doe Creek Trail
10.6 mi · Hiking, Horseback, Running
In the park
Camping in Clearwater National Forest
Campgrounds inside the park, with today's conditions score.
In the park
Points of interest in Clearwater National Forest
Landmarks and points of interest inside the park boundary.
Detailed forecast
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Hourly detail
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
Loading hourly forecast…
Deep dive
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
Long-term outlook
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Loading 15-day outlook…
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Clearwater National Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
FAQ
About Clearwater National Forest
What can I do at Clearwater National Forest?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Clearwater National Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Land designation
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.