Idaho · Hiking

Peterson Spring

5.2 mi
round trip
1,106 ft
climb
6,740 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Peterson Spring open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Peterson Spring is a moderate hike of about 5 miles in the Montpelier Ranger District of Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a one-way climb of about 1,100 feet, from a low point near 5,588 feet to a high of about 6,740 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Bern, Idaho, show July highs around 85°F with lows near 46°F, and June and September are milder, with highs in the mid-70s. That station sits roughly 776 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trail is on natural surface and allows both horses and bikes. Graham Hollow lies just 0.2 miles away, and Birch Creek-Horse Basin is about a mile off. For an overnight stay, Redpoint Campground is about 4 miles away and Maple Grove Campground about 5 miles.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Peterson Spring

    Best months: May–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

      29° / 7°

      12 wet · 11 snow

    2. Feb

      32° / 9°

      11 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 18°

      12 wet · 7 snow

    4. Apr

      53° / 27°

      12 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      64° / 34°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      75° / 40°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 46°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 45°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 36°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 27°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    11. Nov

      43° / 18°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      30° / 9°

      12 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bern, ID, 17.1 mi away at 5,964 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.