Crouch GV Middle Fork Payette Camping

The towns of Crouch and Garden Valley sit about an hour north from Boise as a gateway to the Middle Fork of the Payette River and the Boise National Forest. Key Takeaways You can be at a campsite within 1-1.5 hours of leaving Boise There are 5 managed campgrounds along the Middle Fork of the Payette above Crouch Multiple recreation activities are available including Hot Springs For a unique experience you can rent out Boiling Springs Cabin  Getting There Depending on what area you are coming from, you will get to Crouch via Highway 55 to Banks-Lowman Road or via Highway 21 to Banks-Lowman Road. We traveled from Boise up Highway 55 to Banks-Lowman Road, arriving in Crouch about an hour after our departure. Heading north from Crouch you will follow Middlefork Road until it turns into FS 698, continuing to parallel the Middle Fork of the Payette. We chose to stay at Boiling Springs Campground, at the very end of the road and it took just under 30 mins (about 22miles) to get there from town. Heading out of town you will travel about 5 miles on a paved road, passing neighborhoods and homes along the river. After about 5 miles you will see a sign notating the start of the Boise National Forest and the road changes to gravel/dirt. The road is serviced and while it has some bumps and potholes, it does not require AWD or 4WD during summer and good weather. You will have camping options, whether dispersed or a formal campsite with amenities, within a few minutes of entering the Boise National Forest. Nearby Amenities & What to Do The town of Crouch offers all that you may need for a get-away in the mountains. There are restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, golf courses, outdoor activities, and if you are like us and always wind up forgetting something, then you will be very grateful that they have a well-stocked supermarket. If you are visiting the area during the summer months, you may want to check out the infamous Starlight Mountain Theater. Be sure to check out their website for available shows. If you want to camp but still be close to the action, they do have sites available at Starlight, but you will want to reserve in advance. There are plenty of outdoor recreational activities; rafting, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, biking and off road vehicle trails. Something that attracts many are the hot springs in the area, if you keep your eyes peeled, you will be able to spot a couple along the Middle Fork of the Payette on your way up FS 698. The furthest hot spring along this road, and the one we chose to explore was Boiling Springs. Camping Options You will be able to find numerous free dispersed camping spots along the river once you get onto FS 698, there will be no amenities and most are exposed, but it is a good option for some. There are five forest service managed campgrounds along the Middle Fork of the Payette River. These are paid sites, but offer campers amenities such as toilets, picnic tables, level campsites, fire rings, and drinking water. Be sure to check the forest service sites for updates on site closures, as they do shut down seasonally. Tie Creek is the first site that you will pass, then Hardscrabble. Further down the road you will find Rattlesnake and Trail Creek. At the end of the road, you will see a sign for the final campsite, Boiling Springs. If you want to stay in this pocket for free, there is dispersed camping just over the bridge to the right of Boiling Springs Campground. These sites are available on a first come-first serve basis and prices can range from $12/night to $18/night with a self-pay station at the campsite. Boiling Springs/Boiling Springs Cabin Boiling Springs is located at the end of FS 698. There is a gate blocking access, but there is a parking lot at the end of the road, or it is a short walk from Boiling Springs Campground. From the closed gate it is about a ten-minute walk to the springs. It is a public hot spring with a few larger pools along the hillside and some cooler, shallower pools directly in the river. The pool sizes, temperature, and cleanliness vary. BEWARE of spider mites, we encountered them along the edges of the larger pools but were told by the campsite host that they are not as bad in early morning and evening. If you are looking for a private camping experience with quick access to the hot springs, you can rent out Boiling Springs Cabin. This cabin can be rented for $80/night and offers a unique experience for its guests. Note that the grounds are public, and the area may be busy on the weekends. For reservations and more information about this facility be sure to visit their site. Cell Coverage for Verizon Carriers You lose cell service on Highway 55 just North of Horseshoe Bend. On Banks-Lowman road, once you get closer to Crouch/Garden Valley, you will get service back. You will have service in town but will loose it as you get closer to the sign for the Boise National Forest on Middlefork Road/FS 698. References https://www.starlightmt.com/ https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/boise/recarea/?recid=5048 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/boise/recarea/?recid=5040 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/boise/recreation/recarea/?recid=5049&actid=29 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/boise/recarea/?recid=5037 https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/boise/recarea/?recid=5043 https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232292?tab=info  

Deadwood Reservoir Camping

If you are looking for a quieter recreation area, within a few hours of Boise, you’ll want to explore Deadwood Reservoir. Deadwood Reservoir is located about 90 miles northeast of Boise within the Boise National Forest and is home to a multitude of outdoor activities.  Key Takeaways  A not-so-busy recreation option within a few hours of Boise  The lake-view state campsites are worth the money  Don’t miss taking a dip in the lake and exploring Deadwood Dam For those who like long drives in nature, making this drive a loop is a MUST!  Getting There  We traveled there via Banks-Lowman road, passing through Garden Valley and turning North onto Forest Road 555. Once you turn on the dirt forest road, there will be a sign noting that it is about 25 miles to the reservoir. AWD or 4WD is not required in the summer months, but I imagine it would be needed if muddy/snowy. While 4WD is not necessary, we do recommend a vehicle with higher clearance, as some areas of the road are rutted and rough.   Note that winter access is limited, depending on snow melt, you may not be able to get to Deadwood until mid-June. They note that peak season is end of June-beginning of September.  From the time we left Boise, to the time we got to our campsite, it was less than 3 hours.  Camping Options  There are a few different state campsites at Deadwood that you can pay to camp in. There are also dispersed camp sites as you travel around the lake.   Cozy Cove is the first state campsite that you will get to if coming from the south, and the one we opted to stay at. Most of the sites at Cozy Cove have lake views and quick access to the reservoir. There is a boat launch within the area as well.   Howers, Barneys, and Riverside are other state camp sites on the northern end of the reservoir. You will be able to spot multiple dispersed spots that others have used along the east side of the lake, however, you will not have any amenities.   You can reserve a state campsite online, or if sites are available, you can pay at the self-serve kiosk when you arrive. We went on a Sunday evening and did not reserve prior, there was one other group at Cozy Cove at the time of our stay, not busy at all. If you are going on a Friday/Saturday during peak season, we recommend reserving online at recreation.gov.   The state campsites will have restrooms, picnic tables, leveled campsites, drinking water and firepits. Cost is $12/night or $6 if you have a state park pass.   What to Do There  Deadwood is a great location for boating, fishing, camping, hiking, horseback riding and more.   According to recreation.gov : Available species include Atlantic, Chinook, and kokanee salmon, and rainbow and cutthroat trout. The Idaho state record Atlantic salmon (13 lb. & 4 oz., 29 3/4 inches) was taken in 1995 from Deadwood reservoir.  By August, the reservoir was low along the banks and not too cold, making it a nice environment for adults and kids alike.   Deadwood Dam is located just north of Cozy Cove and is worth viewing.   If you are looking for a guided adventure, Deadwood Outfitters is north of the lake and offers horseback riding, hunting trips, survival courses, and more.   Weather  We camped at the end of August. During the day, it was at least 10 degrees F cooler than down in the valley (70/75 F) and the nights/morning were brisk (around 40 F). It was warm enough to feel comfortable with just sleeping bags in our roof top tent and jump in the lake during the day, but cold enough to layer up around a fire.   I was surprised at how much fog there was in the morning. I would not recommend leaving out anything you do not want to get wet, as it could get damp from the fog.    Alternate Route  If you want to make this trek a loop, or simply take a different route in, you can also access Deadwood Reservoir via Cascade, ID.   Just north of Cascade, you will turn East onto Warm Lake Road, connecting to Forest Road 555 near the Landmark airstrip. From Boise this route would be longer, and still requires time on a dirt forest road. We opted to make it a loop and came back to Boise via Warm Lake Road & Cascade. If you enjoy driving and seeing new scenery, you will enjoy the loop route as well.  Cell Coverage for Verizon Carriers  You lose cell service on Highway 55 just North of Horseshoe Bend. On Banks-Lowman road, once you get closer to Garden Valley, you will get service back for a few miles. Once you are outside of Garden Valley you will no longer have coverage. We recommend screenshotting aerial maps and studying where you are going if you do not have a map that works out of service.   References:    https://www.deadwoodoutfitters.com/index.html  https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/110   https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=11  

Spirit of Boise: Balloon Flight

The Sprit of Boise Balloon Launch on Thursday 8/31 at (around) 7:20 AM was a serene viewing from Crescent Rim Dr. The balloon launch began around 15 minutes later than posted, but that allowed for perfect lighting for photos early in the morning, I just wish there were snacks! Key Takeaways: Balloon launch may begin later than the posted time (but it is worth it) For best pictures, park on Crescent Rim Dr If you get hangry easily (me), eat beforehand or bring snacks Ideal locations for Spirit of Boise Balloon Festival Viewing Take note of the winds direction! Over 25 Balloons took flight on the morning of the 31st as it was an optional flight day for the Spirit of Boise annual balloon festival. The first being an Utah Balloon with an eagle and the final balloon being a cow! The weather conditions. We were located on Crescent Rim at the below location, though we found two other ideal locations: If you're headed to the Spirit of Boise Nite Glow Spectacular, check out our blog post on Spirit of Boise Nite Glow Spectacular! Also, if you have favorite viewing locations for the Balloon festival, send them on over and I would love to add them to the map!

Spirit of Boise Nite Glow Spectacular

Key Takeaways: Bring a blanket or chair Bring your own food, or stand in long lines Keep in mind the time it takes to leave Ann Morrison when the Nite Glow ends   A bright light illuminates in front of you. The light dissipates… As the light illuminates again, there is a tint of red The light dissipates once again… Refocusing, the light is…a massive strawberry? It's the Nite Glow Spectacular!   The Spirit of Boise Nite Glow Spectacular The Spirit of Boise Nite Glow Spectacular brings an amazing array of balloons to the Ann Morrison Park Grounds on Friday 9/01. Along with the abundance of food trucks, crowds gather in grassy areas in the park, laying on blankets or chairs, and eating something from home, or from the food truck…if you can bear the lines. You’ll have to get to the park when the festivities start at 5 for the best seating. Not to say there is bad seating, the grounds are flat and have great views of the balloons from anywhere. So if you don’t care for lines, pop by around 8:00 PM when the countdown begins. The mass exodus at the end of the festival can be pretty hectic. If you’re in a rush, head out 5 or 10 minutes early to beat the lines. Even take an electric scooter and zoom along the green belt. See the video below for a sneek peek of the festival! Frequently Asked Questions: What is the Nite Glow Spectacular in Boise? The Nite Glow Spectacular is more than a gathering of Balloons in Ann Morrison park. It is an annual tradition that brings together crowds of spectators to listen to live music, eat from local food trucks, and ultimately watch the balloons be blown up and light up the Ann Morrison grounds. (No balloons take flight on the night of the Nite Glow Spectacular) What time does the Nite Glow start in Boise? The Nite Glow Spectacular is on Friday, 9/01. Live music, food trucks, and more, begin at 5:30 PM, while the "Nite Glow Spectacular" countdown begins at 8:05 PM (could be slightly later).