Lower Salmon Falls Creek Wilderness Study Area (WSA) is a 5.5 square mile Bureau of Land Management property that features a 16-mile long, 0.5-mile wide, and 300 to 600 feet deep canyon that dissects the Antelope Pocket lava plain. This wilderness area, which lies about 40 miles southwest of Twin Falls in Idaho, is a natural area that has very little human interference, making it a great setting for primitive camping and recreation. You will be able to access the wilderness from different areas, owing to the presence of access roads from the south, north, and east.
This WSA is home to diverse plant and animal species, as well as birds. As a result, nature observers, wildflower enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and wildlife viewers are attracted to the park. The canyon in particular is a good place for these recreational pursuits. In addition, guests can catch brook trout, smallmouth bass, and rainbow trout in the Creek. Upland and waterfowl hunting is open to interested campers too.
This BLM park is also a nice base camp for exploring nearby attractions such as Cedar Creek Reservoir, Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir, and Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey NCA.
You can only camp in primitive sites in this BLM WSA, as no services or facilities are provided. Additional camping opportunities are available in Sawtooth National Forest.
Lower Salmon Falls Creek Wilderness Study Area lies about six miles east of Roseworth, Idaho. You can access this Bureau of Land Management area from the north by driving south of Castleford for about six miles on 900 East Road to Lilly Grade. If you want to access the southern end of the WSA, drive west from Rogerson for about 7.5 miles along Three Creek Highway.
The access routes that lead to the wilderness study area have a few undeveloped roads and passages that may require the use of high clearance vehicles. Moreover, the steep terrain of the BLM wilderness is a major reason why there are only a few routes to the park. Ensure you are well prepared for backcountry conditions as you make your way to the wilderness. It’s good to know what the terrain, weather, and physical road conditions are before you set out so you can be safe.
Room for parking vehicles is available for guests trying to make their way to the wilderness. You’ll find spaces to park before you arrive at the wilderness, as vehicles are not allowed within the WSA.
The Cassia Division of Sawtooth National Forest lies southeast of Lower Salmon Falls Creek WSA and offers camping opportunities within 12 campgrounds. This region lies within the Cassia Mountain Range that rises to an elevation of 8,400 feet. Vegetation in the area includes mixed stands of subalpine fir, aspen, lodgepole pine, and grasslands.
Most of the campsites are available for free. While you are enjoying your vacation in any of the campgrounds, you can engage in hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting and picnicking. In winter, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities are open to interested visitors.
Tent and trailer camping options are provided in the campgrounds, and you will find amenities such as toilets, picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and parking areas.
Lower Salmon Falls Creek WSA is well-known among climbers because it is uniquely located in an area surrounded by hills and peaks that are fun to climb. One of these is Pike Mountain in Sawtooth National Forest. If you wish to find your way up this mountain, you could either hike or drive.
The road up the mountain is passable when dry and you could easily use Google Maps to get directions up. As you go up Pike Mountain, look out for wildlife. You’ll come across mountain bikers, trail runners, so drive carefully.
Take a trip to Morley Nelson Snake Rive Birds of Prey National Conservation Area to see the unique desert environment that supports the highest density of raptors in the whole of North America. With more than 700 pairs of raptors nesting every spring along the 80 miles of the Snake River Canyon, you will enjoy a front-row-seat view of these amazing creatures.
This NCA is not only great for bird viewing. Opportunities to hike, hunt game, ride on horseback, and enjoy picnics are also available.
Cedar Creek Reservoir, south of this BLM park, is another popular destination for outdoor recreation. This reservoir, also known as Roseworth Reservoir, was created in 1910 by the Idaho Farm Development Company, and has become a major destination for anglers. Interestingly, this reservoir is known for only one fish species: rainbow trout. So it’s a Mecca for those that wish to catch it.
Additional recreational opportunities available for your enjoyment here are boating, wildlife viewing, and photography.
There are no direct public transportation services to Lower Salmon Falls Creek WSA, however camping and travel gear are available for rent at Twin Falls and Buhl.
There are lots of places where you can pursue your angling interests when you are camped at Lower Salmon Falls Creek WSA. As a tributary of the Snake River, Salmon Falls Creek features brook trout, smallmouth bass, and rainbow trout. You can visit any point along the 163-mile length of the Creek to enjoy fishing.
As long as you are equipped with an appropriate fishing license, there’s nothing stopping you from going after game fish in the Creek.
Within the Salmon Falls Creek Canyon area, amazing wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Whether your interest is in the fauna that roam the park’s lands, or soar the wilderness’ skies, you won’t run out of animals and birds to see.
Diverse birds have been sighted in the area, including white-throated swift, cliff swallow, various species of owl, red-tailed hawk, and prairie falcon. Come along with your binoculars so that you can view as much as you can. Mule deer is the most commonly sighted wildlife here.
Feel free to take your adventure to Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir where you will get good opportunities to have fun outdoors. This dam, which was constructed in 1910 primarily for agricultural purposes, is now a popular recreation site.
If your interest is angling, you’ll find brown trout, kokanee salmon, chinook, black crappie, channel catfish, and many more fish species. In winter, ice fishing opportunities are also open.
Floating, wildlife viewing, and rock climbing are some other things you can do here.
