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The Nature Conservancy owns preserves around Idaho open to the public. Enjoy a preserve this summer, and see what conservationists can accomplish when we work together.
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What's Happening Outside?
Do you want to know when the wildflowers are blooming? Want to see a badger? Match the hatch? Our weekly blog, Idaho Nature Notes, keeps you up-to-date on natural happenings around the state. Check frequently, and feel free to comment!
Preserves Beyond Idaho
The Nature Conservancy owns preserves in every state. Explore more opportunities with our interactive map. Some preserves even offer lodging, or you can join a Nature Conservancy journey to international destinations.
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At the heart of The Nature Conservancy's work is the belief that every conservation success, no matter how large, begins with what people can see, feel and experience in Idaho's special places. For the past 33 years, the Conservancy has been connecting people to the land--through our preserves and through new public access areas.
The following guides provides an overview of public recreation and education opportunities at our preserves in Idaho. Follow the individual links for more comprehensive information and driving directions.
You can also see these preserves on the map--as well as selected preserves across the country--at The Nature Conservancy's Google Mapping System.
Our preserves do not have visitor fees, but your support allows us to continue protecting these special places.
The Conservancy's first preserve in Idaho, Silver Creek is world-famous for its tremendous mayfly hatches that support one of the highest densities of trout in the world. Each year, anglers from all 50 states and 39 countries visit the preserve to try to catch one of the legendarily difficult trout. Beautiful vistas, crystal-clear waters, abundant birds and fun summer activities all await visitors to Silver Creek.
Recreational opportunities: fly-fishing, birding, canoeing, wildlife viewing, photography, waterfowl hunting
Special notes: catch-and-release fishing only on preserve, waterfowl hunting during season permitted on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. All visitors must sign in at the visitor center.
Facilities: Visitor center is open throughout the summer. Nature trails run through the property. Outhouses on premises.
Activities: Summer barbecues, birding and wildflower walks, educational talks and fly tying classes are offered. Summer 2008 schedule.
More Silver Creek Information
Location: Bonners Ferry
Ball Creek Ranch is part of an effort to restore wetlands to the Kootenai River Valley, along with nearby Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge and Boundary Creek Wildlife Management Area. In the spring and fall, large flocks of ducks, geese and swans can be seen on the wetlands. They also provide cover for large animals moving across the valley; keep an eye out for elk, moose and even black bears.
Outdoor recreational opportunities: excellent birding, wildlife viewing, hiking, upland bird and waterfowl hunting
Special notes: Bird hunting is permitted on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the season.
Facilities: There are no facilities on the preserve.
Activities: Volunteer days are held each spring and summer. Phone
Located just minutes from downtown Coeur d'Alene, Cougar Bay offers a quiet place to walk or observe ospreys and bald eagles. Located on the largest protected bay on Lake Coeur d'Alene, the preserve is also the perfect place to explore by kayak.
Outdoor recreational opportunities: hiking, birding, kayaking
Special notes: A nature trail goes through the preserve, and then goes onto private property owned by Forest Capital Partners. Access to this area is at the discretion of Forest Capital. Please respect private property.
Facilities: There are no facilities on the property.
Activities: An osprey watching tour by kayak is offered each July.
Location: Macks Inn, 15 miles west of West Yellowstone
Located on a beautiful meadow on the Henry's Lake Flat, this preserve offers a nice addition to a Yellowstone vacation. A working cattle ranch and conservation project, Flat Ranch is located just off Highway 20. Some wildlife species, such as pronghorn and sandhill crane, are easier to see here than in the national park. The wildflowers in mid-summer are spectacular. Be sure to visit nearby working ranches for barbecues, trail rides and rodeos--these ranches provide great wildlife habitat.
Outdoor recreational opportunities: birding, wildlife viewing, wildflower viewing, fishing, hunting, hiking
Special notes: catch-and-release fishing only (fishing is generally better earlier in the season). Hunting is permitted in season with short-range weapons only.
Facilities: A visitor center is open from late May through September. A spotting scope is on the porch for viewing wildlife. A bathroom is also available.
Activities: Weekly nature lectures every Wednesday evening and most Saturdays from late June through September.
Location: Soda Springs
Freshwater springs here have created interesting geological features, including beautiful terraced mineral pools and a travertine cave. Birding is consistently good and nature trails get visitors up close to both the geologic formations and abundant wildlife.
Outdoor recreational opportunities: hiking, birding, nature walks, geology walks
Facilities: There are no facilities on the preserve.
Location: Hells Canyon, Idaho
Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in North America--so deep it caused the intrepid Lewis and Clark to take a detour. Garden Creek is the perfect place to experience the canyon in all its majesty--with beautiful wildflowers, native grasses and jaw-dropping scenery. Wild game--including mule deer, elk, black bear, chukar and turkey--are all abundant.
Outdoor recreational opportunities: hiking, backpacking, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, birding, wildflower walks
Special notes: Walk-in access only. Jet boat tours do visit the preserve, leaving from Lewiston or Clarkston.
Facilities: There are no public facilities on the preserve.
South Fork Preserve
Location: Swan Valley
The South Fork of the Snake River offers some of the best cutthroat trout fishing in the West. The scenery in the South Fork is also spectacular--and it's going to stay that way. The Conservancy and its partners have conserved much of the main canyon, including the preserve.
Outdoor recreational opportunities: fly fishing, birding, wildlife viewing
Special Notes: Catch-and-release fishing for cutthroats. Please keep any caught rainbow trout, which are not native to this river and are hurting cutthroat populations.
Facilities: There are no public facilities on the preserve.
View More Public Access Opportunities in Idaho
Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Giuseppe Saitta(canoeists); Photo © Photographer/Org (float tube fishing); Photo © Kirk Keogh/first2lastlight.com (fly fisherman).
