If you find yourself in Southwest Idaho with your snowmobile, then you should check out the Bear Valley trails. It is located North east of Boise and is situated in the Boise National Forest which is about 2.6 million acres. Elevations in the forest range from 2,600 to 9,800 feet. You will be in a mountainous landscape covered with forest. There are also several major rivers in the Bois National Forest, including the Boise and Payette Rivers, along with the Salmon River.
The snowmobile season in the Bear Valley is from December through April. The Bear Valley is an isolated area with the nearest town being Lowman. There is parking available either in Lowman or Stanley. The trails are only open during daylight hours, so plan your snowmobiling trip accordingly. There are also camp grounds in the Boise National Forest so you can make a weekend trip. One word of caution when snowmobiling in the Bear Valley: make sure you bring plenty of fuel with you as you will be riding through an isolated area without service.
Before heading out on the trail for an adventure make sure you take a few snowmobile safety precautions. First, don’t drink and drive. This is pretty common sense and applies to any vehicle whether it be a car or a snowmobile. Second, don’t race your snowmobile, drive at a moderate pace to allow yourself to drive defensively. Third, carry a first aid kit with you just in case of an emergency. Try to avoid snowmobiling across large bodies of water. Dress warmly, if you are snowmobiling most likely it is cold outside. Most importantly do not go snowmobiling alone.
