Castle Fork
- 6.3 mi
- round trip
- 4,485 ft
- climb
- 7,473 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jul–Aug
- best months
Is Castle Fork open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists an alert for Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Stoddard Bridge Construction Closure
Agency alert covering Salmon-Challis National Forest · Order 0413-07-17 · USFS · Salmon-Challis National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Salmon-Challis National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Castle Fork is a hard hike in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, on the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 6.3 miles, with a total elevation gain of 4,485 feet. The high point is 7,473 feet, and the route starts at about 7,466 feet, so the climb is steep from the outset, with the steepest stretch at 0.18 miles in. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley, Idaho, put July highs around 80°F with lows near 34°F. That station sits about 1,200 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trip takes about 4.5 hours, and the trail is open year-round. Cold Springs Cr lies just 0.2 miles away, and Jack Creek Trail and Loon Creek Point are each about 0.7 miles off. Tin Cup Campground is about 6 miles away.
Local outfitters
- The Sawmill Station35 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jul–Aug
Best time to visit Castle Fork
Best months: July–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.
Jan
26° / -3°
Feb
33° / -1°
Mar
43° / 9°
Apr
50° / 18°
May
60° / 26°
Jun
69° / 31°
Jul
80° / 34°
Aug
79° / 32°
Sep
70° / 25°
Oct
56° / 19°
Nov
38° / 10°
Dec
25° / -2°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley, ID, 32.2 mi away at 6,249 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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.
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