What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
Willow Flat Springs Trail
Always a great hike from spring until fall, Willow Flat Springs might be at its most beautiful during the wildflower season or when the foliage changes colors in September. Even in the summer, the shade of the forest helps keep hikers comfortable. Leashed dogs are always welcome.
Length: 4.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Lake Bloomington via Willow Flat Springs Trail
This glacial lake is surrounded by waterfalls and cliffs for dramatic scenery. The 10 acres of water have a strong trout population if you want to go fishing. At 8,200 feet in elevation, the air does thin out a little bit. The trailhead has picnic tables, a pit toilet, and an envelope station for the $5 fee.
Length: 8.4 miles
Intensity: Difficult
Maple Creek Spring
The early sections of this trail aren't very steep and are actually pretty shaded by going through a dense forest. Stream crossings can be tricky, especially in the spring with snow melt. You can cross many by jumping the rocks, but you'll go through a few spots where you probably can't avoid getting your feet wet. Maple Creek Spring itself is a great place to get cold water, but you need to filter it.
Length: 6 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fishing and Boating
Fishing is permitted on Oneida Narrows Reservoir, but you must stay within the posted boundaries both up and downstream or away from fish traps and weirs. Daily bag limits apply each season, but you can fish for walleye, bass, brook trout, kokanee, sturgeon, tiger muskie, and other species. The Department of Idaho Fish and Game publishes annual rules about fishing seasons and permits.
Boating and fishing are available in the waters of the Oneida Narrows Reservoir via campground boat ramps, but anyone looking for a moderate paddling challenge should look at the Oneida Narrows route. Enjoy nearly 5 miles of waterways from point to point. Start your journey on the Bear River from an official boat ramp, enjoy the wide waters along the way, and then get out when you see the warning sign at the end.
Climbing
Cub Peak is renowned among local climbing enthusiasts at the eastern terminus of the Cub River Canyon. Find it on the county line separating Beark Lake and Franklin counties. An intact Forest Service survey marker is at the top of a 150-foot climb. It's considered easy as a class 1, but you'll have to hike a while to find it from any direction. The reward at the top includes views of most of Idaho's major peaks. Other popular free-climbing walls around Preston include Logan Canyon Bouldering, Green Canyon, and Garden Creek Gap.
Wildlife Viewing
Many of the lands around Oneida Narrows Reservoir are part of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Wetlands have been known to have osprey, eagles, wild turkeys, and swans. Land-based animals include pronghorns, bears, mountain lions, moose, wolves, elk, and deer.
