Richardson Bar Campsite
Campground
Campground · 3.3 mi from the trail
Idaho · Hiking · Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness · Near Elk City
White Bird Meadow
- 10.5 mi
- round trip
- 487 ft
- climb
- 6,995 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Aug
- best months
Is White Bird Meadow 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.
White Bird Meadow is a 10.5-mile out-and-back hike in Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, within the Krassel Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. The trail climbs from about 6,458 feet to about 6,995 feet, a gain of 487 feet, and is rated hard. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is on natural surface. Horses are allowed, but bikes are not. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Dixie put July and August highs around 76°F with lows in the upper 30s, while winter highs stay near freezing. That station sits roughly 1,255 feet below the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run cooler. The hike is open year-round. Hida Ridge and Harlen Meadows are both about 3.3 miles away, and Three Blaze is about 3.7 miles off. Mallard Creek Campground, about 7 miles away, is the closest place to camp.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close
Best time to go · Jun–Aug
Best time to visit White Bird Meadow
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
31° / 5°
Feb
33° / 8°
Mar
38° / 13°
Apr
46° / 20°
May
57° / 28°
Jun
64° / 35°
Jul
76° / 39°
Aug
76° / 36°
Sep
65° / 31°
Oct
52° / 24°
Nov
36° / 14°
Dec
28° / 5°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Dixie N, ID, 12.6 mi away at 5,740 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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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