Idaho · Hiking

Bear Valley Marsh Creek

8.8 mi
round trip
134 ft
climb
6,407 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Bear Valley Marsh Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Salmon-Challis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Bear Valley Marsh Creek is an easy out-and-back hike in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, on the Middle Fork Ranger District. The trail is about 8.8 miles long, with a low point of 6,162 feet and a high of 6,407 feet, and it gains about 134 feet of elevation. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trailhead is the Bluebunch / Bear Valley Creek Trailhead, which is open year-round. The route is natural-surfaced and allows horses, and bikes are not permitted. The trailhead sits about 0.2 miles from Fir Creek Campground, which makes it an easy base for an overnight stay. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Deadwood Lodge weather station run to highs around 82°F in July, with lows near 40°F. That station sits about 460 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the higher ground run a little cooler. Nearby options include Bear Valley Creek, about 1.1 miles away, and Camptender, about 3.1 miles away. Bear Valley Campground is about 3.9 miles off, and the Middle Fork Salmon River is about 8.3 miles away for paddlers.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Bear Valley Marsh Creek

    Best months: June–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.

    1. Jan

      35° / 8°

    2. Feb

      36° / 12°

    3. Mar

      42° / 16°

    4. Apr

      49° / 22°

    5. May

      61° / 30°

    6. Jun

      70° / 35°

    7. Jul

      82° / 40°

    8. Aug

      81° / 38°

    9. Sep

      73° / 32°

    10. Oct

      57° / 26°

    11. Nov

      40° / 16°

    12. Dec

      31° / 9°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Deadwood Lodge, ID, 14.4 mi away at 5,948 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.