Idaho · Hiking

Mud Lake

0.3 mi
round trip
67 ft
climb
5,825 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jul–Sep
best months

Is Mud Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Idaho Panhandle National Forests. It doesn't name Mud Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

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

Mud Lake is a short, easy hike in the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.3 miles long, with a one-way climb of 67 feet from a low point of about 5,752 feet to a high of about 5,825 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mullan Pass show July and August highs around 70°F with only about six wet days a month, while winter highs stay near 28°F. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to bikes and horses. It is not an accessible trail. Larkins Lake Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Larkins Creek is about 0.7 mile off. Hero Lake is roughly 1.7 miles away, and Surveyors Lookout campground is about 4.4 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Mud Lake

    Best months: July–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

      28° / 19°

      19 wet

    2. Feb

      28° / 19°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      34° / 22°

      19 wet

    4. Apr

      40° / 27°

      17 wet

    5. May

      50° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      58° / 42°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      70° / 52°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      69° / 51°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      59° / 44°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      44° / 32°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      32° / 23°

      17 wet

    12. Dec

      27° / 18°

      18 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mullan Pass Vor/Dme, ID, 34.6 mi away at 6,028 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.