Hawley Mountain Wilderness Study Area is home to diverse landscapes such as steep and mountainous terrain, peaks, and ridges that offer challenging recreational opportunities for guests. This 23 square mile Bureau of Land Management property in Idaho is uniquely sited within an area that’s surrounded by lots of attractive sites and spots. Accessing the park is easy via a network of roads and forest routes from Howe in Butte County. The use of vehicles in the wilderness is prohibited.
If your interest is wildlife watching, you will find antelope, deer, sage grouse, and elk in the steep and mountainous areas in the park. Flora enthusiasts visit the elevated areas in the wilderness to see mountain mahogany blankets and Douglas-fir, or the lower slopes for forbs and sagebrush grasses. Other recreational activities available to guests here include rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Points of interest near Hawley Mountain WSA include Borah Peak, Mount McCaleb, and Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Camping opportunities are available at Salmon-Challis National Forest and Mackay Reservoir.
Hawley Mountain Wilderness Study Area lies 25 miles north of Howe, in Butte County, Idaho. Visitors can access this Bureau of Land Management property by vehicle via a number of major and local roads. The main route to the wilderness from Howe is via Little Lost River Highway that goes all the way north to Ellis. A number of forest roads such as Forest Roads 527, 432, and 122 grant access to the wilderness study area boundaries. You are advised to come in four-wheel-drive vehicles so that you won’t have issues navigating the access roads.
Within Hawley Mountain Wilderness Study Area, motorized vehicles and equipment are not allowed. Therefore, guests are required to look out for signs and posts that indicate where the wilderness boundaries are as they approach the park. Spaces to park vehicles are provided around where the boundary posts are located.
There are no direct public transportation services to Hawley Mountain WSA.
If you fancy modern camping opportunities nearby and require equipment, you will find rental services at Butte County and Mackay.
Joseph T. Fallini Campground lies five miles northeast of Mackay, Idaho, southwest of Hawley Mountain WSA. This campground, also known as Mackay Reservoir Recreation Site, is a large campground that consists of 26 campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pets are allowed in the campground. One of the distinctive features of the campground is the gorgeous view of the Lost River Range that campers enjoy.
Full-service amenities are provided at this campground, including full RV hookups, dump station, potable water, restrooms, and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are also provided. Facilities available include boat launch ramp, parking pads, and shade shelters.
Things to do here include hiking, water skiing, sailing, picnicking, and watching.
Widely known as throughout Idaho, Borah Peak is the highest mountain in the State and stands at a height of 12,662 feet. This beauty is the high point of the Lost River Range and is known locally as Mount Borah. This peak is the destination for the ultimate mountaineering adventure, something that guests at Hawley Mountain Wilderness Study Area never miss out on.
The peak was first climbed in 1912 and has since then been a major attraction to people from far and near.
Hunting opportunities abound at Hawley Mountain Wilderness Study Area and the nearby Salmon-Challis National Forest. Regardless of the experience levels or age of the hunting, different hunting possibilities are presented here. The high mountains, open grasslands, and sagebrush valleys are good hunting spots.
Big game species that make this area a Mecca for hunters include mule deer, mountain goat, white-tailed deer, mountain lion, and black bear. Game bird species that you can also go after include turkey, spruce grouse, mountain quail, blue grouse, and many more.
There are no designated hiking and horseback riding trails at Hawley Mountain WSA. However, plenty of paths have been carved for guests to ride their horses on through the park, or simply stroll on while enjoying the scenic views on offer.
Salmon-Challis National Forest is yet another great place to engage in hiking, horseback riding, and backpacking, owing to the hundreds of miles of trails provided for those sports. Visitors will find everything from easy to challenging trails.
At a height of 11,682 feet, Mount McCaleb is the 34th tallest peak in Idaho. This mountain which towers about 6,000 feet above the town of Mackay and the Lost River Valley was first climbed in 1914. Today, adventurers and wilderness explorers enjoy challenging and equally exciting mountain climbing experiences up the mount.
Snow-free climbs can be made to the peak between June and September. Be prepared for the trip and carry enough water because there’s no water along the route.
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River is a popular attraction for a wide range of water-based recreation enthusiasts, particularly floaters, boaters and anglers. Designated as a Wild and Scenic River, this river offers good opportunities for outdoor fun.
Hiking opportunities are available for guests from river campsites. Anglers also enjoy catch-and-release fishing with barbless hooks on the river. All fishermen are required to possess a State of Idaho Fishing License before fishing on the river.
Guests that visit Hawley Mountain WSA with the sole desire of angling will plenty of spaces around the BLM park where they can pursue their interests.
Mackay Reservoir which lies at the foot of the towering Mackay Peak and White Knob Mountains, about five miles north of Mackay is a good place to fish for stocked rainbow trout and kokanee. The reservoir contains these fish in abundance and offers boat and shore fishing in summer.
The rivers and streams, small ponds, high mountain lakes and reservoirs in Salmon-Challis National Forest are also a good setting for relaxing fishing exercises.
