Idaho Centennial Road

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

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Idaho Centennial Road

If you're looking for a great place to camp in the wilderness of the west, Idaho Centennial Road is the destination for you. The park begins along the Idaho-Nevada border, and it ends near the state's border with Canada. It includes some of the region's highest peaks, and the trail passes through vast areas of pristine forest, desert, and alpine terrain. You'll be able to experience a wide range of biomes and climatic regions as you hike along the trail, which is one great reason to experience BLM camping in Idaho.

Furthermore, the trail is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is a federal agency that's responsible for handling vast tracts of land throughout the country. As is the case at most other BLM-managed sites, you'll be able to enjoy trailside camping. However, you'll need to follow the principles of Leave No Trace at all times and avoid staying in the same location for longer than two weeks per month.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Idaho Centennial Trail

This trail runs from the Idaho-Nevada border at Murphy Hot Springs all the way to Coeur D'Alene in the northern region of the state. Not only does this route feature a unique mixture of mountain and desert terrain, but it also runs through some of the most scenic regions of the country.

Length: 900 miles

Intensity: variable, moderate to difficult depending on the region

Fishing & Boating

Not only does Idaho Centennial Road offer excellent opportunities for hiking, but streams and lakes near the river also provide great spots to catch freshwater fish. In fact, you'll be able to find rainbow trout, bull trout, steelhead, and cutthroat trout in the region's bodies of water.

Climbing

If you're looking for a unique climbing destination in the state, Idaho Centennial Road offers some of the best opportunities. Most of the best places to climb are located along the northern sections of the trail, but you can find on-trail and off-trail climbing spots in other areas as well.

Wildlife Viewing

There are more than 500 different wildlife species that you may encounter along the trail, including deer, elk, foxes, and raccoons. Due to the trail's remote location, the entire length of the trail offers world-class wildlife viewing opportunities. However, some of the best spots can be found near the Snake and Salmon Rivers.

Picnicking

Even if you don't plan on hiking a large portion of Idaho Centennial Road, there are plenty of places to enjoy a picnic along the trail. In fact, there are multiple areas where the trail intersects with a roadway. Furthermore, there are designated picnic areas with tables at the northern and southern ends of the trail.

Cross Country Skiing

Due to the fact that the trail passes through some of the higher elevations of the state, it's a perfect place to go cross-country skiing. In fact, you'll be able to enjoy a combination of frequent powder days and stable snow cover.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

BLM RV camping on Idaho Centennial Road is not possible, but there are RV campgrounds in the surrounding area. Cottonwood RV Park and Campground is located in Boise. This campground features beautiful scenery, affordable prices, and convenient hookups for electricity and water. Wagon Wheel RV Park offers activities for the whole family as well as convenient hookups for electricity and water. Also, prices are affordable, and a dump station is available on site.

Free Camping

It's free to camp alongside Idaho Centennial Trail. However, it's important to follow the principles of Leave No Trace at all times. Also, make sure that you're properly prepared for the environment of the unique region that you'll be camping in.

RV Rentals Near Idaho Centennial Road Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Idaho Centennial Road BLM trip

If you go for a hike on Idaho Centennial Road, it's possible to experience a level of wilderness that's hard to find elsewhere. However, this means that you'll need to be especially careful to ensure that you aren't going out unprepared. Despite the fact there are RV campgrounds in the vicinity of the trail, there are no options for RV camping at the site.

Due to the mountainous, remote terrain, it's essential to make sure that you're prepared for sudden, unexpected changes in the weather. This means getting a detailed weather report before you leave and keeping a weather radio with you if you venture into the mountains.

Furthermore, it's important to carry a satellite GPS system at all times. Some sections of the trail are not well-marked, and your GPS could keep you from getting lost. It's also important to bring plenty of bottled water, changes of clothes, a compass, plenty of food, a knife, fire starters, and a camp stove. Bears and other wildlife species in the area can be aggressive at times, especially along some of the trail's more remote stretches. So it's important to never hike alone and to always carry bear spray.

If you're heading into the higher elevations of the park, it's important to make sure that you always bring clothing for cold weather. In fact, the highest elevations of Idaho can receive snowfall during any month. This means that it's important to realize that weather conditions often change very rapidly in the park. So before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

In order to preserve the environment, it's important to follow the principles of Leave No Trace. This means keeping all trash in a bear-proof container, ensuring that you do not leave any belongings behind when you leave the campsite, and not littering. Another important part of leaving no trace is ensuring that you take precautions to prevent forest fires. Make sure that you stay up to date on the latest fire regulations in the region you're traveling through, and always follow them.

Idaho Centennial Road Location

Idaho Centennial Road runs from Murphy Hot Springs in the southern part of the state to Coeur D'Alene, and Boise is the closest city to the trail. If this is where you're coming from, you can take I-84 east until you reach the town of Hammet. The trail runs through Hammet Road, which you'll reach immediately after getting off the highway.

Ready to visit Idaho Centennial Road? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.