Valley County Recreation

10/22/2026

Surprise! New mountain bike trail, coming soon to lands near you...

We're working on finishing touches and will announce the official opening of this trail when the snow melts. Until then, please stay out of closed areas :) the dirt is still loose and needs some moisture to set up for good riding next year.

10/13/2026

Recreation has a shiny new website!

We made this site so information is more accessible to you: recreational users, taxpayers, locals and visitors alike. Check out our ongoing projects, volunteer opportunities, and partnerships. Bookmark useful pages (like Forest maps and snowmobile routes!), register your boat or ATV, or find a new favorite hike. Give us feedback about what's working, and what isn't!

Valley County Idaho recreation for every season: trails, lakes, hot springs, and snow. Find your next adventure and buy a County pass today!

10/06/2026

You see a trailhead; we see years of planning, fundraising, and coordinated efforts. Want to have a say in what happens next?

This 4-question survey is open ended. Tell Recreation staff what you dream about for our shared backyard!

Valley County Recreation staff want to know about your favorite activities, volunteer participation, and what we can do better. Fill out this anonymous, 4-question survey to help us plan for the future!

10/02/2026

Horsethief Reservoir Campground is closed for the season. Thanks to everyone who visited this summer!

Fishing access from the King's boat ramp remains open all winter. Please note that construction activities mean the rest of the loop is closed. We will leave the Easter's Cove gate unlocked for self-contained, primitive camping during winter. The usual 14-day stay limit and fees apply.

10/01/2026

More parking at Francis Wallace!

This popular snowmobile access point just got a big upgrade, thanks to grant funding from Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The new winter-only lot extends from the northeast corner of the existing parking footprint and will be ready for the 2026-27 season!

We'll have more details soon about parking specifics and expect parking permits to go on sale December 1 on the Valley County website. Permit sales directly fund parking lot maintenance and trail grooming.

This is also a reminder to register your snowmobile and get an IDPR sticker. Idaho registration is a valid day-use pass at VC trailheads: just put your IDPR receipt on the dashboard. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/park.../snowmobiling/
No snowmobile, but planning to park at the trailhead? Purchase a $5 day-use parking pass or $20 annual pass (good all year, for all County sites) on the Valley County Recreation website.

Thank you to our communities for their patience and support as we work to conserve quality outdoors experiences for all, amid recreational growth and increased visitation to the county.

09/25/2026

Maps -- or apps?

With fall season colors come cooler temperatures, longer nights, and wet weather. Getting stuck out overnight has much higher consequences this time of year.

Mapping applications like CalTopo, OnX, Gaia, and Avenza are extremely useful and usually accurate, but they rely on paid subscriptions and a working phone battery. If you've spent any serious time in the backcountry, you already know that phones aren't foolproof.

Don't be a fool. Even with modern technology, you should carry backup navigation like a paper map and/or a handheld GPS unit that isn't your phone, especially when venturing off-trail or into backcountry areas that are unfamiliar. Anyone can get unlucky, but starting your trip prepared makes your chances of survival much better.

Get outside, enjoy the lovely fall weather -- and come home to tell your friends about it.

09/23/2026

Safe hunting requires awareness and care. As big game r***e season ramps up, ALL backcountry travelers should be extra cautious. Public lands are shared by all users throughout the year, but fall poses special hazards as the number of hunters temporarily increases.

Hikers/backpackers, trail runners, anglers, and anyone else out recreating on public lands: wear bright clothing. It's also really smart to put an orange bandana or jacket on your dog.

R***e hunters: safe hunting starts before the shot. This article from IDFG is a good reminder of safe practices during your whole season.

Hunters should also remember that Idaho’s fi***rm rules apply when they are not actively hunting. A transition from hunting to another activity—such as traveling, setting up camp, taking a photo or getting into a vehicle—is a good time to stop, unload the fi***rm and make sure it is in a safe ...

09/21/2026

Snowmobile season is almost here 😁☃️

Which means, almost time to buy your parking pass for Valley County snowmobile trailheads!

Recreation staff are hard at work improving parking options at Francis Wallace and Brush Creek. For 2026-27, all long-term overnight parking will be in the new Francie lower lot! The "old" upper lot will be for day-use. Brush Creek will serve as overflow for all recreational users. Passes will go on sale December 1, 2026, on the Valley County Recreation website.

This is also a reminder to register your snowmobile and get an IDPR sticker. Idaho registration is a valid day-use ticket at VC trailheads: just put your IDPR receipt on the dashboard. https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/park-activity/snowmobiling/

No snowmobile, but planning to park at the trailhead? Purchase a $5 day-use parking pass or $20 annual pass (good all year, for all County sites) on the Valley County Recreation website.

ALL parking fees go directly back to maintaining the snowmobile trailheads. Your contributions keep the bathrooms clean, heat and lights on in the groomer garage, and parking spaces plowed. Thank you!

09/14/2026

A cyanobacteria health alert has been issued for Lake Cascade in Valley County. Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a high risk to the health of pets and livestock and can cause illness in humans, especially small children.

Cyanobacteria are a natural part of Idaho’s waterbodies, but when conditions are right, they can multiply rapidly, or “bloom,” and release toxins into the water. Exposure to cyanotoxins through skin contact or ingestion can cause skin irritation, upset stomach, and more serious symptoms. Effects can be more serious in animals since they are more likely to drink the water.

Blooms don’t all look the same; they may look like mats, foam, spilled paint, or surface scum and have a foul odor. Use caution when recreating in and around water. When in doubt, stay out and keep pets out of the water.

Learn more about cyanobacteria blooms and how to report a potential bloom on the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality website at https://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/surface-water/cyanobacteria-harmful-algal-blooms/

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Valley County Sheriff's Office
Valley County Idaho
City of Cascade
Central District Health
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Lake Cascade State Park