WINDY SADDLE

Closed — Road access is likely closed for winter due to snow. Forest roads in this remote, high-elevation area are typically inaccessible from late fall through early summer.

About

Windy Saddle Trailhead sits in a remote section of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in Idaho County, accessed via a lengthy drive on forest roads. To reach the site, visitors turn south from State Highway 14 onto Red River-Dixie Road 222, follow it past the closed Red River Ranger Station to Nezperce Trail Road 468, travel 20 miles east, then turn north on Elk Mountain Road 285 for 15.5 miles. The trailhead provides access to Archer Trail #529, which drops into the Running Creek drainage, and serves as a gateway to the surrounding backcountry. The site features two hitch rails and a toilet, making it suitable for horse packers and backcountry travelers. This is a trailhead location rather than a developed campground, though dispersed camping is typical in the area. No potable water is available, and facilities are minimal. The remote location and elevation make this area inaccessible during winter months when snow closes the forest roads, typically from late fall through early summer depending on snowpack conditions.

Directions

From State Highway 14, turn south onto Red River-Dixie Road 222. Follow Road 222 past Red River Ranger Station to its junction with Nezperce Trail Road 468. Turn east onto Road 468 and follow it for 20 miles to its junction with Elk Mountain Road 285. Turn north on Road 285 and follow it for 15.5 miles to Windy Saddle.

Nearby Campgrounds