Driving the wild 4x4 road to Iron Lake in Lemhi County

Iron Lake is a beautiful remote lake located in Lemhi County, in the U.S. state of Idaho. It's one of the highest roads in Idaho.

Iron Lake

Where is Iron Lake?

The lake is located within the Salmon-Challis National Forest, in the central part of Idaho.

Is the road to Iron Lake in Idaho open?

Set high in the Salmon River Mountains, the road tops out at 2.797m (9,176ft) above sea level. It opens late and closes early due to snow.

Can I drive to Iron Lake in Idaho?

The road to the lake is called Forest Road 020 (Salmon River Mountain Road). It is entirely unpaved and pretty defiant. 4x4 vehicles recommended. Not recommended for RVs and trailers. It’s a narrow, rough mountain road requiring slow and careful driving.

How long is the road to Iron Lake in Idaho?

The dirt road is 30.25 km (18.8 miles) long running north-south from Forest Road 021 to the lake.

Is the road to Iron Lake in Idaho worth it?

The drive offers stunning views of craggy peaks and deep pine forests. There is a Forest Service campground at the lake known as Iron Lake Campground.

 

 

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