Willow Creek Campground
Campground
Campground · 2.4 mi from the trail
Idaho · Hiking · Near Idaho City
Willow Owl
- 12.0 mi
- round trip
- 395 ft
- climb
- 5,975 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jul–Aug
- best months
Is Willow Owl open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Boise National Forest. It doesn't name Willow Owl, 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.
Willow Owl is a 12-mile out-and-back hike in the Idaho City Ranger District of Boise National Forest in Idaho, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 5,533 feet to about 5,975 feet, with a total elevation gain of 395 feet. It is a hard hike, and the route is natural-surfaced, so expect a rougher ride than a paved path. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Stanley weather station show July highs around 80°F with lows near 34°F, while winter highs stay in the mid-20s and lows drop to about -3°F in January. The trail is open to both horses and bikes. Willow Creek Campground sits about 2.4 miles away, and Bear Summit West is just 0.7 miles off. Paddlers can head to the Crooked River, about 2.3 miles away, and climbers will find Crooked Rock about 5 miles out.
Around this trail
Add any of these when you start a tripSleep close Eat after Diamond Lil's Restaurant & Saloon
Restaurant
On your way back · 18 mi
If it rainsj.a.woodhouse from United States, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: j.a.woodhouse from United States, CC BY 2.0 (commons)
More in Idaho CityLocal outfitters
- Riverpond Campground27 mi away
- Camp Perkins33 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jul–Aug
Best time to visit Willow Owl
Best months: July–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
26° / -3°
Feb
33° / -1°
Mar
43° / 9°
Apr
50° / 18°
May
60° / 26°
Jun
69° / 31°
Jul
80° / 34°
Aug
79° / 32°
Sep
70° / 25°
Oct
56° / 19°
Nov
38° / 10°
Dec
25° / -2°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Stanley, ID, 34.5 mi away at 6,249 ft. 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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BEAR SUMMIT WEST
~1 min drive
3.04-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 587 ft elevation gain.
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BEAR SUMMIT
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WILLOW CREEK SNOW LOOP
~5 min drive
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ARCHIE MOUNTAIN VIEW
~8 min drive
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WILLOW CREEK OVERLOOK
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CROOKED PIKE LOOP
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18.52-mile out-and-back trail in Idaho with 3,172 ft gain/loss
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Bear River
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8.71-mile out-and-back trail to Jennie Lake in Idaho with 1,885 ft of elevation gain.
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Rabbit Creek Trail
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