Idaho · Hiking · Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness

Big Bear Creek

13.8 mi
round trip
1,736 ft
climb
7,505 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Big Bear Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.

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

Big Bear Creek is a hard hike in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, on the Krassel Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. The route is an out-and-back of about 13.8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,736 feet, from a low point of about 5,529 feet to a high of about 7,505 feet. The trail is on natural surface, and bikes are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Warren, Idaho, run to highs around 79°F in July and August, with lows in the mid-30s. That station sits roughly 1,600 feet below the trail's high point, so temperatures up high run cooler. The hike is open year-round. Artic Point is about 1.9 miles away, and Rocky Point is about 2.6 miles away. Chamberlain Basin campground is about 7.7 miles away, and McCalla Creek, a paddling spot, is about 5.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Big Bear Creek

    Best months: June–August. 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° / 7°

    2. Feb

      41° / 7°

    3. Mar

      46° / 17°

    4. Apr

      50° / 20°

    5. May

      59° / 27°

    6. Jun

      68° / 34°

    7. Jul

      79° / 37°

    8. Aug

      79° / 35°

    9. Sep

      69° / 30°

    10. Oct

      56° / 23°

    11. Nov

      41° / 16°

    12. Dec

      34° / 9°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Warren, ID, 31.8 mi away at 5,907 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.