Marshall Mountain Wilderness Study Area
RV Guide
Introduction
Marshall Mountain Wilderness Study Area is a beautiful recreational getaway, owing to the outstanding opportunities that are available to guests to enjoy wonderful solitude, backcountry camping, and a host of outdoor activities. This nine square mile Bureau of Land Management property lies 22 miles east of Riggins, Idaho, within a well-forested setting with picturesque landscapes that make it a paradise for nature lovers and enthusiasts. You definitely have to strongly consider spending time here.
This WSA lies in a rugged mountainous landscape that offers good opportunities for visitors to enjoy hiking and backpacking, horseback riding, hunting, wildlife viewing, and photography. Rest assured you’ll enjoy memorable primitive recreation in the remote and backcountry areas here. More fun activities are available at Payette National Forest, where you can ride bicycles and mountain bikes, and angle for various fish species in rivers and lakes. Winter is a great time to visit this area too.
Because no facilities or services are provided within the BLM wilderness study area, you’ll be able to enjoy dry camping experiences within the park. If you seek vehicle camping opportunities, feel free to visit the National Forest.
RV Rentals in Marshall Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Transportation
Driving
Marshall Mountain Wilderness Study Area lies 22 miles east of Riggins, in Idaho County, Idaho. Access to this Bureau of Land Management property is via a network of major roads and Forest Service routes from Riggins. The nearest highway to this BLM wilderness is US Highway 95 in the west.
If you intend to get here from the Highway, make a turn at US Forest Service Riggins Office on to NF-1614 (also known as Salmon River Road). This road is paved and maintained and follows the banks of Salmon River. At some point, you will have to cross the river and connect to NF-103. NF-103 is not paved, but still motorable and easy to navigate.
When you arrive at Green, make a right turn on to NF-318, a rough and unpaved road, along which you will drive until you arrive at the junction of NF-320 that leads directly the wilderness area. Because of the nature of the roads around the BLM park, it’s advisable to come in high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles to make your navigation easy.
Parking
You’ll find parking spaces on your way to the wilderness, and by the wilderness boundaries. The use of motorized equipment in the WSA is not allowed.
Public Transportation
No direct public transportation services are available to this BLM WSA, however travel and camping equipment are available at Riggins and in Idaho County.
Campgrounds and parking in Marshall Mountain Wilderness Study Area
Campsites in Marshall Mountain Wilderness Study Area
First-come first-served
Burgdorf Campground
Burgdorf Campground is a Forest Service Campground located south of Marshall Mountain WSA, at an elevation of 6,250 feet. This campground sits among trees that offer shade for the campsites. The camp is just adjacent to open meadows. Open season is from May to October.
Feel free to make use of any of three campsites available in this campground, all of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Staying within this campground is limited to 18 days. While you’re here, you’ll be able to make use of picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Potable water is available between June and September.
The campground is a hub for hiking adventures. Trails available nearby include Nethker Creek Trail, Jeanette Creek Trail, Burgdorf-1 Trail, and Burgdorf-2 Trail.
Mackay Bar Campground
Mackay Bar Campground rests near the north bank of Salmon River, offering tent camping options for guests who are enjoying vacations in Marshall Mountain WSA and the National Forest. Because of the nature of the rough and winding roads with lots of tight switchbacks that lead to the park, campers are advised to visit in low-range, four-wheel drive vehicles. Trailers are not recommended.
There are three campsites in this campground, all of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. The best season to visit is in summer and fall. Because there are no garbage services in this camp, you should pack out what you pack in.
The available water is surface water, so you should treat it before drinking. Vault toilets are provided.
The campground is open all year, but accessibility may be difficult in winter. Fishing, hiking, picnicking, and swimming are popular activities here.
Seasonal activities in Marshall Mountain Wilderness Study Area
In-Season
Cycling
Cycling is not allowed within the Marshall Mountain WSA. However, bikers have more than enough to do within Payette National Forest, where there are myriads of cycling opportunities on forest and county roads. Within the National Forest, there are hundreds of miles of gravel and paved routes for you to explore on your bicycle. Also, you can ride your mountain bike up the surrounding hills and ridges in the Forest.
If you’re coming with an e-bike, stay away from the non-motorized trails in the wilderness. Otherwise, you’re good to go.
Fishing
Anglers enjoying primitive recreation in Marshall Mountain WSA are welcome to enjoy fishing in the Payette National Forest’s Recreational Fishing Site, where you can enjoy fishing in a variety of settings. Whether your preference is any of the rivers in the Forest, or you’d rather fish on the high elevation lakes, there’s plenty for you to do here.
Around 46 species of fish call the Forest’s waters home. Native fish species you’ll find here include mountain whitefish, suckers, northern pikeminnow.
Check out Idaho Fish and Game for state regulations in effect.
Hiking
Bring your best hiking boots along to Marshall Mountain WSA to enjoy the best this area has to offer for those who explore the area on foot. Thanks to the rugged landscape in this park, you have the choice of where you’d like to hike and the degree of difficulty that’s suited for your skills. You can make your way up the mountain to enjoy glorious views of the surrounding areas, or stay in the lowland areas where you will be able to get beautiful backdrops for photographs.
Off-Season
OHV Riding
Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) riders cannot bring their vehicles into Marshall Mountain WSA as such equipment are not allowed. However, there are many areas in the contiguous Payette National Forest where OHV riding is encouraged. The forest roads in the park are particularly well-suited for interesting riding adventures.
In a bid to make the activity more enjoyable and safer, increasing signage is being put in place for riders to identify areas where improved visibility is needed. Contact the Forest Service to obtain maps to identify these areas before you set out.
Floating
Floating is an activity that’s been practiced on Salmon River since 1976, particularly between June and September. Every summer, about 7,000 people use the float boats on the river’s corridor navigating through Class I to Class IV whitewater.
Floaters make use of the abundant sandy beaches on the river’s banks as camping sites in summer and fall, before launching onto the river to have as much fun as they want. You will be required to carry fire pans, ash containers, bucket, portable toilets, shovel, and food strainer.
Winter Activities
Visit this place in winter to take advantage of the rich snow cover that this area receives. Recreation opportunities available in winter include skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
If you fancy any of these activities and want to venture into the winter backcountry, you are encouraged to analyze the snow, avalanche, and weather conditions before you head out. You’ll be able to get information from other reports submitted by public observers. After all, you can not be too careful.
