Nez Perce Lake
- 3.8 mi
- round trip
- 1,506 ft
- climb
- 8,864 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
Nez Perce Lake is a moderate out-and-back hike in Idaho's Salmon-Challis National Forest, within the Leadore Ranger District. The trail is about 3.8 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,506 feet, taking you from a low point of about 7,396 feet to a high of about 8,864 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is open from June 15 through November 15. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Plan for a full day on foot, with the climb spread across the route's length. Several other hikes lie within a few miles, including Deer Creek at about 2.5 miles and Big Timber Creek at about 3.5 miles. For an overnight base, Meadow Lake Campground is about 6 miles away, and Timber Creek Reservoir Upper Campground is about 7 miles away.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
DEER CREEK
~4 min drive
3.1-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,155 ft elevation gain
HIKE
BIG TIMBER CREEK
~6 min drive
19.92-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,508 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Smithie Fork
~8 min drive
6.68-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 973 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Meadow Lake Interpretive
~11 min drive
0.65-mile loop trail in Idaho with 160 ft gain.
HIKE
Deer Creek
~5 min drive
3.28-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 731 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
NORTH FORK BIG CREEK
~22 min drive
18.42-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,604 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
South Fork Big Creek-Iron Cr.
~21 min drive
18.99-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,729 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
RED ROCK CREEK
~14 min drive
1.08-mile out-and-back trail at Red Rock Creek in Idaho with 392 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
TRAIL CREEK
~8 min drive
8.14-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,159 ft elevation gain
HIKE
ROCKY CREEK
~7 min drive
9.16-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 2,408 ft elevation gain/loss
