Lucile to Kirkwood Ranch

A scenic day trip to take via UTV or ATV is to the historic Kirkwood Ranch on the Snake River north of McCall. It’s a perfect trip for springtime while we’re waiting for the rest of our snow to melt in the high country! Take off from Lucile, Idaho on the Salmon River (about an hour north of McCall on Highway 95) and head west from Lucile up Cow Creek Road (NF-242) to Cow Creek Saddle. Then take the 420 to the fork in road just after the cattle guard where you will take a left to head on down to Kirkwood Ranch. The road descends through beautiful forest which turns to sage covered open (and steep) hillsides with gorgeous views of Hells Canyon below. The road gets narrow and a little rocky in spots as you get closer to Kirkwood so take is slow and easy. The rocky canyon walls are stunning as you approach the end of the old jeep road where you will find a gate with a sign welcoming visitors. A short and gorgeous 1/4 mile hike will take visitors to Kirkwood Ranch along a trail that follows Kirkwood Creek to the Snake River. Enjoy your lunch at the ranch and visit the museum full of historical artifacts while there.

It is 12 miles from Lucile to Kirkwood Ranch – the road is a 2 lane (mostly) gravel road between Lucile and Cow Creek Saddle and then turns to single lane old jeep road a mile past or so.