Idaho · Hiking · Near Ketchum

West Fork Prairie Creek

5.0 mi
round trip
1,891 ft
climb
8,046 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is West Fork Prairie Creek open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 4 alerts for Sawtooth National Forest.

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

West Fork Prairie Creek is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, part of the Sawtooth National Forest in Idaho. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is about 5 miles long, with a one-way climb of about 1,890 feet from a low point of roughly 7,217 feet to a high of about 8,046 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Stanley show July and August highs around 80°F with only five or six wet days a month, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows both horses and bikes. Norton Creek-Prairie Creek and Mill Creek are each about a mile away, and Mill Lake Trail is about 1.2 miles off. For an overnight stay, Chemeketan Campground sits about 5.5 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Prairie Campground

    Campground

    Campground · 3.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Lookout

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 16 mi
  • If it rains

    Sun Valley Museum of Art

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Ketchum

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit West Fork Prairie Creek

    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.

    1. Jan

      29° / 4°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      35° / 7°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      42° / 14°

      14 wet

    4. Apr

      49° / 21°

      12 wet

    5. May

      60° / 30°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 35°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 39°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 37°

      5 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 31°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 24°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      12 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 6°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley Rs, ID, 28.2 mi away at 6,495 ft. The station sits about 1,600 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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