Idaho · Hiking

Cougar Rock

4.2 mi
round trip
1,812 ft
climb
7,514 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Cougar Rock open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Boise National Forest. It doesn't name Cougar Rock, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Cougar Rock is a moderate hike in Idaho's Boise National Forest, within the Cascade Ranger District, about 4 miles from the Forest Service's land management. The trail is an out-and-back route of roughly 4 miles, with a one-way climb of about 1,800 feet from a low point of about 5,700 feet to a high of about 7,500 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Deadwood Lodge show July highs around 82°F with lows near 40°F, while temperatures at the summit run cooler than those figures. Winter is cold, with January highs near 35°F and lows around 8°F. The trail is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. Several other outings sit within a couple of miles, including the Curtis Creek and Wewukiye hikes, the Vulcan Hot Springs hike and Stolle Meadows Cabin, a cabin about 1.6 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Cougar Rock

    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, 10.9 mi away at 5,948 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.