Idaho · Hiking

Headquarters Camp Creek

4.1 mi
round trip
967 ft
climb
6,831 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Headquarters Camp Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.

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

Headquarters Camp Creek is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 4 miles in the Fairfield Ranger District of Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail starts at about 5,860 feet and climbs to roughly 6,830 feet, gaining about 970 feet one way. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Ketchum, which sits about 940 feet lower than the trail's high point, show July highs around 80°F and lows near 45°F. Snow is common from December through March, with highs in the low 30s. Bikes are allowed on the natural-surfaced trail. The South Fork Boise River is less than a mile away for paddling, and the High Creek and Skunk Creek Trail hikes are each within about 2 miles. Canyon Campground is about 5 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Headquarters Camp Creek

    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

      31° / 8°

      10 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      35° / 11°

      9 wet · 7 snow

    3. Mar

      43° / 19°

      8 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      52° / 27°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      62° / 35°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      70° / 40°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 45°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 43°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 36°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      56° / 28°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 17°

      7 wet · 4 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 9°

      10 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ketchum Rs, ID, 26.7 mi away at 5,890 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.