Idaho · Hiking

Rainey Creek Bench

8.8 mi
round trip
19 ft
climb
6,331 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Rainey Creek Bench 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.

Rainey Creek Bench is an easy out-and-back hike in Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest, within the Palisades Ranger District. The trail is about 8.8 miles long, with a low point of 5,701 feet and a high of 6,331 feet, and it gains about 19 feet in elevation. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on natural surface, with horses and bikes both allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Swan Valley show July highs around 85°F with lows near 46°F, and September cools to highs around 75°F. That station sits roughly 900 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the bench run cooler. The hike is open year-round. Falls Campground and the South Fork of the Snake River: Conant Boat Access are both about 4.5 miles away. Poison Creek and Fleming Canyon are a little farther, at about 4.2 and 4.5 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Rainey Creek Bench

    Best months: June–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

      30° / 11°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 14°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 22°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      56° / 27°

      12 wet

    5. May

      66° / 35°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 41°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 46°

      8 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 44°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 37°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      59° / 29°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      43° / 20°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      32° / 12°

      9 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Swan Valley, ID, 4.9 mi away at 5,397 ft. The station sits about 900 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.

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