Shafer Butte
Campground
Campground · 1.2 mi from the trail
Idaho · Hiking · Near Idaho City
Sapper's Return
Photo: cifraser1, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- 0.4 mi
- round trip
- 65 ft
- climb
- Out and back
- route
- Easy
- difficulty
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- best months
Is Sapper's Return open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Boise National Forest. It doesn't name Sapper's Return, so check the source for the area it covers.
UPDATED Sept. 19 - Crooked Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure
Agency closure covering Boise National Forest · Order 0402-03-140 · USFS · Boise National Forest
Lava Fire Road Closure
Agency alert covering Boise National Forest · Order 0402-06-84 · USFS · Boise National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Boise National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Sapper's Return is a short out-and-back trail in Idaho managed by the Forest Service, covering 0.86 miles with 65 feet of elevation gain.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Pioneer Lodge
Restaurant
On your way back · 1 mi
If it rainsCamEQ, Facade of Art Museum designed by Trout Architects and Mark Mack in 1988, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: CamEQ, Facade of Art Museum designed by Trout Architects and Mark Mack in 1988, Public domain (commons)
More in Idaho CityLocal outfitters
- Riverpond Campground24 mi away
- Lake Point Campground30 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
- Nearby · Redtail · MORES MOUNTAIN EXTENSION · Around the Mountain
Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct
Best time to visit Sapper's Return
Best months: May–June and September–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.
Jan
37° / 24°
13 wet · 9 snow
Feb
43° / 27°
12 wet · 6 snow
Mar
51° / 32°
13 wet · 5 snow
Apr
58° / 36°
11 wet · 3 snow
May
68° / 43°
11 wet · 1 snow
Jun
77° / 49°
7 wet
Jul
88° / 58°
4 wet
Aug
86° / 58°
3 wet
Sep
76° / 50°
5 wet
Oct
61° / 40°
7 wet · 1 snow
Nov
46° / 30°
12 wet · 5 snow
Dec
37° / 23°
14 wet · 9 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Boise 7 N, ID, 5.5 mi away at 3,885 ft. We don't have this place's elevation, so higher spots nearby can run cooler. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: cifraser1, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Redtail
Next door
Redtail is a 1.17-mile loop trail in Idaho with 165 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: Stupid Dingo, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)MORES MOUNTAIN EXTENSION
~2 min drive
1.5-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,262 ft elevation gain.
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~7 min drive
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Photo: cifraser1, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Lower Loop Nordic
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1.44-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 141 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: FunGi_ (Trading), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Elk Meadows
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~3 min drive
13.96-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,067 ft elevation gain.
Photo: cifraser1, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Brewers Byway
~1 min drive
1.68-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 61 ft of elevation gain.
Photo: cifraser1, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Deer Point
~2 min drive
4.08-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 688 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Sinker Creek
~3 min drive
6.32-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 309 ft elevation gain.
