Split Creek Lookout
- 2.2 mi
- round trip
- 550 ft
- climb
- 6,628 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Aug
- best months
Is Split Creek Lookout open right now?
Alert in the area
The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Payette National Forest.
Over Snow Vehicle Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-638 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Brundage Mountain Resort Snowcat Route Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-637 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Lost Valley Log Hauling
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · USFS · Payette National Forest
Granite Mountain Over Snow Vehicle Closure
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-635 · USFS · Payette National Forest
Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking Lot Winter Restrictions
Agency alert covering Payette National Forest · Order 0412-543 · USFS · Payette National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Payette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Split Creek Lookout is an easy out-and-back hike in Idaho's Payette National Forest, within the Krassel Ranger District. The trail is about 2.2 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 550 feet, and it rises from a low point of about 6,083 feet to a high point of about 6,628 feet. The route is open year-round, and the Forest Service manages the land. The trail is natural-surfaced, and both horses and bikes are allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Warren, Idaho, show July and August highs around 79°F with lows in the mid-30s. That station sits about 700 feet lower than the high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. Nearby, Cow Creek and Loon Creek are both about 3.5 miles away. Secesh Horse Camp and Ponderosa campground are each within about 4 miles.
Local outfitters
- Black Bear RV Park21 mi away
- Arrowhead RV Park44 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jun–Aug
Best time to visit Split Creek Lookout
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.
Jan
35° / 7°
Feb
41° / 7°
Mar
46° / 17°
Apr
50° / 20°
May
59° / 27°
Jun
68° / 34°
Jul
79° / 37°
Aug
79° / 35°
Sep
69° / 30°
Oct
56° / 23°
Nov
41° / 16°
Dec
34° / 9°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Warren, ID, 11.8 mi away at 5,907 ft. The station sits about 700 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.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
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Loon Creek
~6 min drive
19.72-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 272 ft of elevation gain.
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Loon Creek Trail Loop
~7 min drive
2.96-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,302 ft elevation gain and loss.
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GRIMMET CREEK
~9 min drive
2.3-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 755 ft gain/loss.
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Indian Ridge Trail
~18 min drive
37.26-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 8,880 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Hum Lake
~9 min drive
21.58-mile out-and-back trail to Hum Lake in Idaho with 2,894 ft elevation gain.
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LOON CREEK
~8 min drive
3.38-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 1,643 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Pearl Lake Trail
~17 min drive
0.98-mile out-and-back hike to Pearl Lake in Idaho with 260 ft of elevation gain.
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Center Ridge Trail
~20 min drive
18.28-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 5,166 ft gain/loss and 7,541 ft max elevation.
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FITSUM CREEK
~13 min drive
8.02-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,150 ft elevation gain and loss.
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Tailholt
~8 min drive
4.18-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 98 ft gain.
Route details
- Distance
- 2.2 mi round trip
- Climbing
- About 550 ft
- Summit
- 6,639 ft
- Difficulty
- Easy
Season
Season: Year-round.
Questions about this route
How long is the Split Creek Lookout on Split Creek Point?
About 2.2 mi round trip.
How much elevation gain is on the Split Creek Lookout?
About 550 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Split Creek Lookout?
It is rated easy.
When is the best time for the Split Creek Lookout?
Year-round.
Conditions and forecast on Split Creek Point
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.
