Fairfield Ranger District
- May–Sep
- best months
The Fairfield Ranger District, established in 1906 with consolidation of the Shake Creek and Fairfield Ranger Districts in 1972, encompasses 420,720 acres of Forest system administered lands and contains over 680 miles of streams and more than 20 high mountain lakes. There are many mountains on the District over 9,000 ft. in elevation, with four peaks--Baker Peak, Big Peak, Two Point Mountain, and Smoky Dome that are over 10,000 ft. high in elevation. The South Fork of the Boise River, Little Smoky Creek and Big Smoky Creek are the major river drainages. Fairfield offers seemingly endless opportunities for the backpacker, hiker, horseback rider, mountain biker and off-road vehicle user. There are 440 miles of inventoried trails on the District, many of which top out in mountain lakes or circque basins. Snowmobiling, downhill skiing, and snowboarding are some of the more popular winter activities on the District. There are about 50 miles of groomed snowmobile trails available north of Fairfield. Nordic skiing opportunities may be found in the backcountry through helicopter and cat ski guided trips into more remote areas. Visitors will find numerous hot springs on the District, accessable in the summer, including Worswick, Skillern, Willow Creek, Pries, and Baumgartner. Fairfield boasts (12) campgrounds. Baumgartner Campground is fully accessible to visitors using wheelchairs and includes paved camping sites. The campground also boasts a hot pool for soaking, a children's play area and a 1/4 mile interpretive trail.
Local outfitters
- Camp Perkins41 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Fairfield Ranger District
Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
27° / 9°
Feb
31° / 12°
Mar
41° / 21°
Apr
54° / 30°
May
65° / 38°
Jun
73° / 43°
Jul
84° / 50°
Aug
83° / 48°
Sep
74° / 39°
Oct
59° / 30°
Nov
42° / 20°
Dec
28° / 10°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Fairfield Rs, ID, 0 mi away at 5,065 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive
SEE
Big Wood River
~54 min drive
Big Wood River is a river in Idaho.
SEE
Silver Creek
~55 min drive
Silver Creek is a river in Idaho.
SEE
Magic Reservoir
~35 min drive
Magic Reservoir is a 3,079-acre reservoir near West Magic, Idaho, at about 4,770 feet.
SEE
Anderson Ranch Reservoir
~45 min drive
Anderson Ranch Reservoir is a 4,463-acre reservoir in Idaho.
SEE
Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness
~1h 12m drive
SEE
Pioneer Reservoir
~48 min drive
Pioneer Reservoir is a 204-acre reservoir near Bliss, Idaho, at about 3,086 feet. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
SEE
Big Lost Lake
~49 min drive
Big Lost Lake is an 8-acre lake near Ketchum, Idaho, at about 9,171 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Perkons Lake
~51 min drive
Perkons Lake is a 9-acre lake near Fairfield, Idaho, at about 8,710 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Sawtooth National Recreation Area
~1h 2m drive
SEE
Big Lookout Lake
~1h 3m drive
Big Lookout Lake is an 8-acre lake near Mountain Home, Idaho, at about 8,239 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.



