Southern Idaho has hundreds and hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobiling trails … and only 3,500 registered snowmobiles. That translates to plenty of room to roam for snowmobiling enthusiasts who love speeding through some of the greatest scenery in the state. Here are some of the top picks for snowmobiling in Southern Idaho.
Camas County. The wide, beautiful Camas Prairie attracts snow enthusiasts from around the state with deep snow and flat stretches that beg for speed. Check out the Malcomson Snow Park, 620 acres of public-private land. If you’re up for a technical challenge, brave the steep climbs, deep snow, and show-stopping scenery in the Trinities Mountains. Directions: From Fairfield, travel 21 miles on Highway 20. The snow park is located between the Pine exit and Hill City.
City of Rocks National Reserve. The westward pioneers heading through this area on the California Trail couldn’t have imagined the motorized vehicles buzzing through this reserve’s geological wonders. Be sure to call ahead to see if snowmobiling is permitted on the dates you’d like to visit — the reserve is open to snowmobilers only when weather permits and only in certain locations. Call (208) 824-5519 for more information. Directions: City of Rocks National Reserve is 63.6 miles southeast of Twin Falls on Highway 30.
Diamondfield Jack. This snowplay area offers more than 200 miles of groomed and marked trails in Sawtooth National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land. Two 85-car plowed parking lots provide access, and the forest service maintains a warming hut and heated rest rooms. Directions: From Twin Falls, take Highway 30 east to Hansen. Turn south on Rock Creek Road and drive about 28 miles into the area.
Sublett/Heglar. Access 120 miles of groomed trails by heading to North Heglar Canyon. You’ll discover family-friendly terrain, and you can warm up at the historic 1913 Forest Service guard station. Directions: Take I-84 to the Yale Road exit, then go east on Yale for 10 miles. Turn right on Heglar Canyon Road, then venture another 10 miles to the parking lot.
Mount Harrison/Howell Canyon. These snowmobiling areas are graced with some of the deepest snowfall in Idaho and feature groomed snowmobiling trails and warming huts. You’ll find the parking lot and entrance to Howell Canyon just below Pomerelle Ski Resort; from there, you can venture further into the winter playground that is Mount Harrison. Directions: Take I-84 to the Declo exit, then head south on Highway 77 to Albion. Drive seven miles, then turn right on Howell Canyon Road and look for signs for the snowmobile parking lot.
Gooding County Snow Park. This snow park located at the Gooding-Camas county line has 150 square miles of BLM and private land for snowmobiling. It’s also open to cross-country skiers and sledders. Directions: Head 20 miles north of Gooding. For more information, call (208) 732-7200.