Idaho · Hiking · Near Ketchum

Northwood

3.1 mi
round trip
37 ft
climb
7,508 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Northwood 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.

Northwood is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3 miles in Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area, within the Sawtooth National Forest. The trail runs on natural surface and rises from a low of about 7,300 feet to a high of about 7,508 feet, a climb of about 37 feet. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 80°F with only five or six wet days a month, while winter highs there stay in the 20s. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The trail is open year-round and allows both horses and bikes. Horse Creek Loop Ski and Big Wood Loop both start about 0.3 miles away, and Cross Cut is about 0.6 miles off. For an overnight base, Chemeketan Campground lies about 4.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Chemeketan Cg

    Campground

    Campground · 4.5 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lookout

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 20 mi
  • If it rains

    Sun Valley Museum of Art

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Ketchum

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Northwood

    Best months: June–August. 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

      29° / 4°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 7°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 21°

      12 wet

    5. May

      60° / 30°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 35°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 39°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 37°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 24°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 6°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley Rs, ID, 23.6 mi away at 6,495 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.