Idaho · Hiking

Lake Darling

7.8 mi
round trip
1,666 ft
climb
6,261 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is marginal · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 17 h ago

Is Lake Darling open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It doesn't name Lake Darling, 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.

Lake Darling is a hard hike in the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, about 7.8 miles long with a one-way elevation gain of 1,666 feet. The trail starts at the Upper Lightning-8a Trailhead, and the route is an out-and-back that climbs from a low point of about 4,600 feet to a high of about 6,260 feet. The trail is on natural surface and is open to both horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail, according to the Forest Service's accessibility status. The trailhead parking is labeled "UPPER LIGHTNING-8A," and the trail is open from July 1 through November 15. Several other destinations sit close by. Gem Lake and Gordon Creek are each within a third of a mile, Char Falls is about 1.2 miles away, and Lunch Peak Lookout is about 1.6 miles off.

Local outfitters

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