Tributaries of the Boise River provide great backcountry recreation

The backcountry is a state of mind as much as a location. It's a place to get away from television and out of cell phone range, sleep to the sound of a river and wake up to redwing blackbirds calling. It may seem far away, but it's closer than you think.

The North Fork and Middle Fork of the Boise River offer a great weekend getaway close to the Treasure Valley with a variety of recreation options.

Although they're close to the Treasure Valley, the North Fork and Middle Fork are isolated areas with few services. There are no gas stations, stores, or anything else between Atlanta and Twin Springs above Arrowrock Reservoir if you're heading up the Middle Fork, or between Idaho City and Atlanta on the North Fork.

Make sure you top off your tank and double-check your gear and supplies because it's a long, bumpy ride if you forget something.

GETTING THERE

North Fork of the Boise River: Take Idaho 21 from Boise to Idaho City. About 2 miles past Idaho City, turn right on Rabbit Creek Road (Forest Service Road 327). Follow it about 17 miles to the North Fork of the Boise River. Expect about a 1-hour drive to get to the North Fork.

Middle Fork of the Boise River: Take Idaho 21 past Lucky Peak Reservoir, turn right after High Bridge and follow the road past Lucky Peak and Arrowrock reservoirs to the Middle Fork.

Expect rough dirt and gravel roads. Be cautious taking large RVs up the Middle Fork Road. There are narrow areas around Arrowrock Reservoir where two large vehicles can't pass coming from opposite directions.

CAMPING

The North Fork and the Middle Fork have cool, riverside camping. Most of the campsites are in the shade, and most developed campgrounds are free.

There also are lots of undeveloped camping spots, and users should come prepared to practice low-impact, pack-in and pack-out camping and be fully self- contained, including a portable toilet.

FOREST SERVICE CAMPGROUNDS

• Black Rock: Located along the North Fork, it has 11 spaces, a water pump and outhouses, and costs $15 per night. Reservations can be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or logging on to www.recreation.gov.

• Deer Park: Located along the North Fork at the Deer Park Guard Station, it has several dispersed campsites available near the guard station.

• Neinmeyer: Located along the Middle Fork, it has eight spaces, outhouses and no fees.

• Troutdale: Located along the Middle Fork. It has four spaces, outhouses and no fees.

• Badger Creek: Located along the Middle Fork, it has three spaces, outhouses and no fees.

• Willow Creek: Located along the Middle Fork, it has nine spaces, outhouses, water and no fees.

CABINS

The Forest Service offers three rental cabins in the area. The cabins have beds but no bedding. They have cooking gear and stoves and indoor plumbing and running water. Reservations can be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or logging on to www.recreation.gov.

• Barber Flat: $40 per night.

• Deer Park: $35 per night.

• Dutch Creek: $40 per night.

• Dutch Creek Guard Station: $45.

FISHING

Idaho Department of Fish and Game stocks the North Fork with catchable trout at several locations between Rabbit Creek and Deer Park Campground.

Fish and Game stocks catchable trout in the Middle Fork near Troutdale Campground and above Kirby Dam near Atlanta.

SPECIAL FISHING REGULATIONS

On the Middle Fork of the Boise from the mouth of the North Fork upstream to Atlanta Dam, anglers can keep only two fish per day, none shorter than 14 inches. Anglers must use barbless hooks and no bait. Both forks of the river have bull trout, which are protected and must be immediately released unharmed.

TRAILS

There are numerous trails along the rivers, including many that are favorites for backcountry motorcycle riders.

The terrain is steep and rugged, so choose your trails carefully if you haven't ridden them before.

Hikers might want to check out the North Fork Boise River Trail between the Deer Park Guard Station and Graham Guard Station. The trail goes about 11 miles along a roadless section of the North Fork. It's rated moderate hiking by the Forest Service.

Another one to check out is the North Fork below Rabbit Creek where Rabbit Creek Road meets the North Fork. Cross Rabbit Creek where it joins the North Fork and follow the trail down the river.

HOT SPRINGS

There are a bunch of them along the Middle Fork. Keep your eyes open for the tell-tale orange iron stains on the rocks above the river, or watch for steam early in the morning or in the evening.

Springs provide great places to soak at the end of the day. Treat them with respect: Don't bring glass containers, and don't litter.

SCENIC DRIVE

Want to see the North Fork and Middle Fork in a single trip? It's about a 150-mile round-trip drive from Boise. Most of that will be a loop. Except for Idaho 21, almost all of it is gravel or dirt and much of it rough, washboard road, but it is passable in a passenger car.

Expect the trip to take about five hours of actual driving time, but plan to take all day so you will have time to have a picnic lunch and stop to do some exploring.

Roger Phillips: 373-6615