Idaho / Idaho County / Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Liz Creek Cabin

Closed — Currently closed for the season. Typically operates July through September. Winter access is extremely difficult due to snow and trail conditions.

About

Liz Creek Cabin was built in 1929 as a Forest Service guard station in the remote backcountry at the confluence of Liz and Weitas Creeks. After extensive restoration completed in 2014, this historically significant cabin became available as a public rental. The single-room structure features a loft, covered porch, and woodstove, sleeping up to four people in a peaceful meadow setting surrounded by diverse forest terrain ranging from old-growth conifers to steep mountainsides abundant with huckleberry, mountain maple, and thimbleberry. Situated at 3,500 feet elevation, the cabin offers panoramic views and access to multiple trails for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and hunting. Weitas and Liz Creeks feature numerous beaver dams creating unique riparian habitat rich with native wildlife. The cabin serves as an ideal base camp for backcountry exploration or a stopover for outdoor adventurers traversing the district's extensive trail system. Access requires commitment: from Highway 12, travel 16 miles on rough, single-lane forest roads to the 12 Mile Saddle trailhead, then 9.5 miles on motorized multi-use trail open to ATVs 50 inches or less, followed by the final 1.5 miles on single-track trail accessible only by foot, horse, or motorcycle. High clearance 4x4 vehicles are required for forest road access. No services are available along the route.

Directions

From US Highway 12 at mile marker 139.7 (25 miles west of Powell, Idaho), take FSR 107 north 12 miles to Saddle Camp Junction. Turn hard left onto FSR 500 west and continue 4 miles to 12 Mile Saddle trailhead. Follow trail 20 for 9.5 miles to Weitas Creek pack bridge where ATV access ends. Continue 1.5 miles on single-track trail by foot, motorcycle, or horse to the cabin. Requires high clearance 4x4 vehicle for forest road portions. No services available en route.

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