Overview
Big Smoky Creek flows through a broad, forested canyon in the southern Boise National Forest, draining the Smoky Mountains before joining the South Fork Boise River. The 7-mile round-trip follows the creek upstream through ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forest, gaining just 600 feet over the full distance. It is one of the most accessible and least technically demanding trails in this portion of the forest.
The trail appeals to hikers who want creek-side walking in genuine national forest terrain without the significant elevation commitment of the summit and lake-basin routes. The Big Smoky area is also notable for its natural hot springs, located near the campground at the trailhead. Many visitors combine the trail with a hot spring soak, making for a natural pairing of activities.
The canyon character of the lower trail is the defining feature: the creek is the consistent companion, providing sound, wildlife habitat, and water access. Dippers are common along the stream, bobbing on exposed rocks and diving into the current. Kingfishers sometimes appear on overhanging branches. The combination of clear water, forested walls, and the occasional open meadow gives the route a varied and pleasant character.
This is a good early-season or late-season option given the lower starting elevation (approximately 5,400 feet). The trail often opens in May and remains accessible into November in dry years.
The Route
Miles 0 to 3.5: Upstream
The trail begins at the Big Smoky Campground (approximately 5,400 feet) and follows the creek northeast upstream. The path stays within sight or sound of the water for most of its length, with occasional sections moving slightly uphill from the streambank before returning.
The gradient is gentle throughout, averaging less than 200 feet per mile of gain. The forest transitions from ponderosa pine near the trailhead to a mix of Douglas fir and lodgepole pine higher up the drainage. Several log crossings span side channels, and the main creek requires one ford midway through the route.
The turnaround at mile 3.5 is at a natural point where the canyon narrows and the terrain ahead becomes more demanding than the easy-moderate trail rating suggests. Day hikers typically stop here and return the same way.
When to Visit
May through October. The low elevation makes this one of the most accessible trails in the forest for early-season hiking. The hot springs near the trailhead are a year-round attraction, making the area worth visiting even outside the main hiking season.
What to Bring
Many hikers on this gentle trail carry:
- 2 liters of water; the creek is a reliable source, but a filter is needed
- A water filter
- Insect repellent in late spring and early summer when the creek corridor can have mosquitoes
- Sun protection for the open stretches
- Fishing gear and an Idaho license if planning to fish
Individual needs vary.
Practical Details
No permit required as of 2026. Vault toilet at the Big Smoky Campground. Cell service absent. Dispersed camping permitted beyond the campground. Dogs allowed on leash.
Leave No Trace principles are especially important around the hot springs area, which receives concentrated visitor use.
Getting There
From Fairfield, drive northeast on Highway 20 toward Mountain Home. Pick up the Big Smoky Creek Road (Forest Road 094) north of the highway and follow it approximately 20 miles to the Big Smoky Campground. The drive from Fairfield takes approximately 1 hour. From Boise, allow approximately 2 hours total via I-84 east to Mountain Home and Highway 20 west to Fairfield, then north to Big Smoky.