Idaho · Hiking

Playground

0.3 mi
round trip
37 ft
climb
5,457 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Playground is a short, easy hike on Bureau of Land Management land in Idaho's Challis Field Office, about a quarter mile long. The trail rises roughly 37 feet from a low point of about 5,423 feet to a high of about 5,457 feet, so it's a quick stop rather than a climb. The route is natural-surface and works for hikers, riders and horses. Bikes and horses are both allowed, according to BLM records. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Challis show July highs around 87°F with lows near 52°F, while September cools to about 74°F by day and 42°F at night. Several other outings sit close by. The Ebb and Flow Connector is about 0.1 mile away and Dave's Wave about 0.2 mile. Mountain bikers can head to the Valley trail, and anglers will find the Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District about a mile off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Playground

    Best months: May–June and August–October. 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° / 11°

      7 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 17°

      5 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 25°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      7 wet

    5. May

      67° / 40°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 46°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 52°

      5 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 50°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 42°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 32°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      40° / 21°

      6 wet

    12. Dec

      29° / 11°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Challis Ap, ID, 2.4 mi away at 5,033 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.