Idaho · Hiking

Bismark

BismarkPhoto: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
8.9 mi
round trip
1,345 ft
climb
3,863 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Bismark open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It doesn't name Bismark, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Bismark is a hard hike of about 9 miles in the Priest Lake Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 1,345 feet, from a low point of about 2,622 feet to a high of about 3,863 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 83°F with only five or six wet days a month, while winter brings highs near freezing and regular snow days from December through February. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The trail is natural-surface and bikes are allowed. It is not an accessible route. Kinnickkinnick and Big Cedar, both cross-country ski areas, are about a mile away, and the Lakeview Mountain Trail is about 1.2 miles off. Priest Lake Area, a lake fishing spot, is about 3 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Bismark

    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.

    1. Jan

      32° / 22°

      16 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      37° / 22°

      13 wet · 6 snow

    3. Mar

      46° / 26°

      14 wet · 4 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      13 wet

    5. May

      68° / 39°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 44°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 48°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 46°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 39°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      54° / 32°

      12 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 27°

      15 wet · 5 snow

    12. Dec

      31° / 22°

      17 wet · 11 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Priest Rvr Exp Stn, ID, 18.2 mi away at 2,371 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Route details

Distance
8.9 mi round trip
Climbing
About 1,345 ft
Summit
3,897 ft
Difficulty
Hard

Questions about this route

How long is the Bismark on Bismark Mountain?

About 8.9 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Bismark?

About 1,345 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Bismark?

It is rated hard.

Conditions and forecast on Bismark Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.