Big Lost River Access Trail

Facility · Idaho ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Challis Field Office (Bureau of Land Management ID) · Open Access

5,994 ft
Elevation
This 2.5 - 3 mile trail has been a community effort. Please respect the adjacent private property by staying on the trail and using non-motorized means to get to the river. For motorized recreationists, the old road from here up Blaze Canyon to the Windy Devil communication tower is a designated off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail. There is typically cell service at this site.

Getting there

Approximately 1 mile northwest of Mackay, Idaho along the Big Lost River. Turn west off of Hwy. 93 onto Main St. in Mackay. Continue south; Main Street turns into Smelter Road and crosses the Big Lost River (there is a signed IDF&G public river access on the southeast side of the bridge). Proceed approximately 1 mile, cross the cattleguard and turn right. Follow this road approximately 2 miles to the signed day use parking area for the Big Lost River Access Trail, located on the north side of the road.

43.91472, -113.63722 · 43°54'53.0"N 113°38'14.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 29°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F303444556573838272584129
Low °F81222293743504840311910
Precip in0.80.50.70.91.21.40.70.70.80.80.50.9

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.1 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Big Lost River Access Trail

Can you reserve a site at Big Lost River Access Trail?
No. Big Lost River Access Trail is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Big Lost River Access Trail

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.