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Box Creek Wilderness Study Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

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Bureau of Land Management
Idaho
Box Creek Wilderness Study Area

Located approximately 10 miles northeast of McCall, Idaho, Box Creek WSA comprises 440 acres managed by the BLM, a government institution. This agency manages these public lands to preserve their natural resources, beauty, and integrity for future generations. Box Creek flows to the south, and the terrain of this wilderness area has both gentle slopes and an extremely steep landscape. The wilderness area has a mixed conifer forest consisting of Englemann spruce, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, aspen, and subalpine fir trees. The forest and rich vegetation in the wilderness area creates a suitable habitat for an array of wild animals.

Popular things to do in Box Creek WSA include hiking, backpacking, wildlife viewing, photography, hunting, and horseback riding. Additional outdoor recreational opportunities near this park include rock climbing, mountaineering, and bird watching. If you're looking for BLM camping in Idaho, Box Creek WSA offers unmatched nature observation, solitude, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Payette Lake Trail

This out-and-back route is located near McCall, Idaho. It's rated as easy, and it takes about two hours to complete. The dog-friendly trail is mainly used for mountain biking, hiking, and snowshoeing. Although it's open throughout the year, the best time to use the trail is between April and November.

Length: 4 miles

Intensity: Easy

Fishing and Boating

Fishing enthusiasts enjoy camping in this wilderness area because it's an excellent base to start angling activities at Payette Lake, located south of the WSA. Visitors can also fish on lakes, rivers, and streams within the national forest. McCall area waters are particularly known for some of the most exceptional fly-fishing experiences within the Rocky Mountains. Anglers can haul in lake trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee salmon in Payette Lake, which has more than 46 fish species.

Climbing

Box Creek WSA is surrounded by peaks and mountains that tempt visitors to test their rock-climbing and mountaineering skills. If you go up the mountains, you'll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the Payette National Forest. Brundage Mountain is one of the most popular mountaineering spots where travelers can enjoy rock climbing. The peak of this mountain overlaps the county line to the east with Valley County, where McCall lies.

Wildlife Viewing

The common animals that visitors spot in the Box Creek Wilderness Study Area include moose, deer, ospreys, bald eagles, and waterfowls. Bears, foxes, beavers, owls, and squirrels also reside in this wilderness area. Payette National Forest also offers more wildlife viewing opportunities. Here, nature lovers can see more than 300 different species in the forest.

Hunting

Hunting is a popular activity among travelers who visit the Box Creek Wilderness. Although the WSA does not allow hunting within the BLM land, hunting enthusiasts can hunt small and big animals in Payette National Forest. Visitors can hunt big game species such as moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elks, deer, mountain lions, and bears. Pheasant, chukar, turkey, Hungarian partridge, ducks, ruffed grouse, sharptail grouse, geese, blue grouse, sage grouse, quail, and mourning doves are some of the birds allowed in Idaho hunts.

Snowmobiling and Snowshoeing

If you are visiting Box Creek WSA during the winter months, Payette National Forest offers a wide range of winter sports. The higher elevations of the forest receive a lot of snowfall annually, setting the scene for exciting water activities such as snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skiing. Furthermore, there are 30 miles of backcountry skiing and snowboarding sites and over 500 miles of well-maintained snowmobile trails in the McCall area.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Box Creek WSA does not have any Bureau of Land Management Campgrounds, but that should not stop RV camping fanatics from enjoying themselves when exploring the BLM property. Travelers can park their motorhomes in Ponderosa State Park, on Payette Lakeshores, south of the WSA. This park features 175 campsites, but the campgrounds are closed in the winter and fall. Options available to travelers include campsites with full hookups, campsites with partial hookups, cabins, a day-use area, and picnic and group shelters. The maximum RV length allowed here is 88 feet, and amenities provided include picnic tables, fire rings, potable water, a dump station, and restrooms with hot showers and flush toilets.

Free Camping

Box Creek WSA offers excellent Bureau of Land Management free camping spots for primitive campers. Nature lovers can camp anywhere on the land, but your camping site should be 100 feet away from water sources. Also, you can only camp at one site for two weeks, after which you'll have to move to another spot to continue camping. Travelers can also find more dispersed camping opportunities at Payette National Forest.

RV Rentals Near Box Creek Wilderness Study Area Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Box Creek Wilderness Study Area BLM trip

There are no marked or official trails within Box Creek WSA. Therefore, you need to acquire proper navigation equipment like travel maps, compasses, and GPS units to help you navigate the area. Check the Four Rivers BLM website for the current road status and climate conditions before setting out. Also, prepare for changing weather conditions by packing your recreational vehicle or trailer appropriately.

The use of mechanical equipment and motorized vehicles is not allowed within the wilderness study area. However, wheelchairs are permitted on the site. So look out for signs and posts that indicate where the site's boundaries are and the parking spaces that you can use. If you wish to rent camping equipment or a recreational vehicle, rental services are readily available at McCall and within Valley County. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

When exploring the Box Creek WSA, consider the other visitors exploring the WSA by avoiding excessive noise and controlling your horses. Allow other vacationists the same sense of discovery by leaving all items of interest, including the natural resources and historical artifacts on the BLM property, the way you found them. The management also recommends camping away from water sources in and around the area to protect aquatic habitat and water quality. Lastly, keep campfires small and under control to minimize their impact on the BLM land.