Nelson Point
- 6.1 mi
- round trip
- 2,061 ft
- climb
- 7,837 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Is Nelson Point open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.
Over Snow Vehicle Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-638 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Brundage Mountain Resort Snowcat Route Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-637 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Lost Valley Log Hauling
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · USFS · Payette National Forest
Granite Mountain Over Snow Vehicle Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-635 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking Lot Winter Restrictions
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-543 · USFS · Payette National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Payette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Nelson Point is a hard hike in Idaho's Payette National Forest, within the McCall Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back that climbs about 2,061 feet over roughly 6 miles, from a low point of about 6,547 feet to a high of about 7,837 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is natural-surfaced and open year-round. Horses are allowed on the trail, so it works for riders as well as hikers. The climb is a steady one, and the route's length and elevation gain make it a serious outing rather than a short day on foot. Raines Creek lies about 2.4 miles away, and Horse Heaven Trail and Warren Creek are each within about 4.5 miles. For an overnight base, Mackay Bar campground is about 7.3 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Black Bear RV Park39 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: waterarchives, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Painter Trail #213
~15 min drive
7.9-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 5,072 ft gain and 5,887 ft max elevation.
HIKE
Raines Creek
~4 min drive
25.92-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,141 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Warren Creek
~8 min drive
0.60-mile out-and-back trail at Warren Creek in Idaho with 276 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Cottontail Point
~15 min drive
5.87-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 289 ft gain.
Photo: waterarchives, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Salmon River Trail East
~14 min drive
20.34-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 4,970 ft elevation gain/loss.
HIKE
James Creek
~8 min drive
20.79-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 4,135 ft gain.
HIKE
Chinese Cemetery
~11 min drive
0.38-mile out-and-back trail at Chinese Cemetery in Idaho with 79 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
STEAMBOAT RIDGE
~22 min drive
3.66-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,076 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Horse Heaven Trail
~7 min drive
22.98-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 7,117 ft elevation gain and 8,333 ft max elevation.
HIKE
Warren Creek
~9 min drive
18.04-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 767 ft elevation gain.