Idaho is a truly special place if you haven’t already heard. We’ve already been named the “middle of nowhere” and even have the second largest chunk of untamed, roadless wilderness in the contiguous US to prove it – 2.4 million acres of it, to be exact. It’s incredible how in tune Idaho still is with its natural roots! So just imagine how much more in tune with nature you’ll be after a trip to the most remote place in Idaho.

Based on the latest geographic calculations, the most remote spot in the entire continental US is actually on the border of Idaho and Nevada, overlapping Owyhee County. But for the most remote place in Idaho specifically (that is fully contained within Idaho), there’s only one place that holds that title…and it’s so positively breathtaking, you might be willing to take your chances to get there.

Project Remote is a unique venture that finds and documents the most secluded places in the US places to ensure their future preservation. Their criteria are fairly simple: accessible by hiking only, unmarred by plane trails, and completely obscured from the road, among others. A few years back, they noted one particular point within Idaho as being the most remote spot in the state, and naturally, it just happens to be found in Idaho’s largest expanse of preserved wilderness. In fact, this amazingly isolated area is so remote that it requires six to seven days of hiking to get there. Are you ready?

The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness is true Idaho backcountry. This wilderness region is so vast and untouched that adventuring through the diverse landscape is like a trip back in time.

Zachary Collier/Flickr Established in 1980, Idaho’s largest wilderness encompasses 2.4 million acres of lush Central Idaho treescapes, multiple rugged mountain ranges, plunging canyons, and the renowned whitewater Salmon River. It’s a natural wildlife and historic haven that remains unscarred by human presence.

The most remote point in the area is over 17 miles from the nearest road.

R Brown/Flickr

Todd Jackson/Getty Those 17 miles are in a straight line, however. In real time, it takes approximately a week’s worth of hiking to get here, depending on the season and individual hiking stamina.

Virgin pine trees dot the mountainsides for as far as the eye can see.

Idaho Public Television/YouTube

Tranquil, unexpected mountain lakes dot the rocky crags that characterize the Frank Church Wilderness.

Idaho Public Television/YouTube Every new ridge scaled offers a scenic vista unlike any other.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find another human for miles.

Idaho Public Television/YouTube

Idaho Public Television/YouTube

But you’ll definitely brush up against wildlife habitats of every size and shape.

Idaho Public Television/YouTube Note that this does include bears, snakes, and mountain lions. Be safe.

And once you reach the most remote spot in the Gem State…

Idaho Public Television/YouTube Hint: it’s far deeper into the wilderness than this!

You’ll finally see the landscape just as Lewis and Clark did hundreds of years ago.

Idaho Public Television/YouTube If this doesn’t take your breath away, we don’t know what will.

While we can’t provide the exact coordinates for Idaho’s most remote spot, we can definitely tell you that you’ll feel a million miles away from everything no matter where you are in the Frank. Watch IPTV’s video to learn more about the history of this wild and scenic place!

Marty_Nelson_Photography/Getty

Reaching the most remote place in Idaho is quite the arduous hike. With only rugged wildlife trails to follow and not much else, we recommend that only experienced hikers consider attempting this intense week-long adventure. But it’s definitely amazing to dream about nevertheless!

Zachary Collier/Flickr

Established in 1980, Idaho’s largest wilderness encompasses 2.4 million acres of lush Central Idaho treescapes, multiple rugged mountain ranges, plunging canyons, and the renowned whitewater Salmon River. It’s a natural wildlife and historic haven that remains unscarred by human presence.

R Brown/Flickr

Todd Jackson/Getty

Those 17 miles are in a straight line, however. In real time, it takes approximately a week’s worth of hiking to get here, depending on the season and individual hiking stamina.

Idaho Public Television/YouTube

Every new ridge scaled offers a scenic vista unlike any other.

Note that this does include bears, snakes, and mountain lions. Be safe.

Hint: it’s far deeper into the wilderness than this!

If this doesn’t take your breath away, we don’t know what will.

Marty_Nelson_Photography/Getty

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Have you ever visited the Frank Church Wilderness or rafted the Salmon River? It’s definitely breathtaking!

If you’re looking for a ruggedly scenic place to stay and truly get away from it all in this most ‘Idaho’ way possible, check out this wilderness lodge in the middle of nowhere. 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness, Challis, ID 83226, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Remote Place in Idaho & Related Info December 13, 2022 Jennifer Where can I camp in Idaho? Whether you’re looking for a fantastic waterfront campsite to pitch your tent or a stellar backcountry escape to the mountains, Idaho has year-round camping opportunities in every corner of the state. An established campground is often the most ideal, due to the availability of water, facilities, and fire rings, as well as on-site cabins and yurts. For established campsites, the state’s many state parks offer some of the best places to camp in Idaho, but reservations and usage fees are typically required:

Bear Lake State Park, St. Charles Bruneau Dunes State Park, Bruneau Castle Rocks State Park, Almo City of Rocks National Reserve, Almo Dworshak State Park, Lenore Farragut State Park, Athol Harriman State Park, Island Park Hells Gate State Park, Lewiston Henry’s Lake State Park, Island Park Heyburn State Park, Plummer Lake Cascade State Park, Cascade Lake Walcott State Park, Rupert Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, Challis Massacre Rocks State Park, American Falls Ponderosa State Park, McCall Priest Lake State Park, Coolin Round Lake State Park, Sagle Three Island Crossing State Park, Glenns Ferry Winchester State Park, Winchester

  Camping in Idaho is also available at a number of reservoirs, including:

Anderson Ranch Reservoir Blackfoot Reservoir Deadwood Reservoir Lost Valley Reservoir Hawkins Reservoir Horsethief Reservoir Mann Creek Reservoir Mountain View Reservoir Oneida Narrows Reservoir Palisades Reservoir Tripod Reservoir

   

The OIYS Visitor Center

Most Remote Place in Idaho & Related Info

December 13, 2022

Jennifer

Where can I camp in Idaho? Whether you’re looking for a fantastic waterfront campsite to pitch your tent or a stellar backcountry escape to the mountains, Idaho has year-round camping opportunities in every corner of the state. An established campground is often the most ideal, due to the availability of water, facilities, and fire rings, as well as on-site cabins and yurts. For established campsites, the state’s many state parks offer some of the best places to camp in Idaho, but reservations and usage fees are typically required:

Bear Lake State Park, St. Charles Bruneau Dunes State Park, Bruneau Castle Rocks State Park, Almo City of Rocks National Reserve, Almo Dworshak State Park, Lenore Farragut State Park, Athol Harriman State Park, Island Park Hells Gate State Park, Lewiston Henry’s Lake State Park, Island Park Heyburn State Park, Plummer Lake Cascade State Park, Cascade Lake Walcott State Park, Rupert Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, Challis Massacre Rocks State Park, American Falls Ponderosa State Park, McCall Priest Lake State Park, Coolin Round Lake State Park, Sagle Three Island Crossing State Park, Glenns Ferry Winchester State Park, Winchester

  Camping in Idaho is also available at a number of reservoirs, including:

Anderson Ranch Reservoir Blackfoot Reservoir Deadwood Reservoir Lost Valley Reservoir Hawkins Reservoir Horsethief Reservoir Mann Creek Reservoir Mountain View Reservoir Oneida Narrows Reservoir Palisades Reservoir Tripod Reservoir

   

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Whether you’re looking for a fantastic waterfront campsite to pitch your tent or a stellar backcountry escape to the mountains, Idaho has year-round camping opportunities in every corner of the state. An established campground is often the most ideal, due to the availability of water, facilities, and fire rings, as well as on-site cabins and yurts.

For established campsites, the state’s many state parks offer some of the best places to camp in Idaho, but reservations and usage fees are typically required:

  • Bear Lake State Park, St. Charles
  • Bruneau Dunes State Park, Bruneau
  • Castle Rocks State Park, Almo
  • City of Rocks National Reserve, Almo
  • Dworshak State Park, Lenore
  • Farragut State Park, Athol
  • Harriman State Park, Island Park
  • Hells Gate State Park, Lewiston
  • Henry’s Lake State Park, Island Park
  • Heyburn State Park, Plummer
  • Lake Cascade State Park, Cascade
  • Lake Walcott State Park, Rupert
  • Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, Challis
  • Massacre Rocks State Park, American Falls
  • Ponderosa State Park, McCall
  • Priest Lake State Park, Coolin
  • Round Lake State Park, Sagle
  • Three Island Crossing State Park, Glenns Ferry
  • Winchester State Park, Winchester

 

Camping in Idaho is also available at a number of reservoirs, including:

  • Anderson Ranch Reservoir
  • Blackfoot Reservoir
  • Deadwood Reservoir
  • Lost Valley Reservoir
  • Hawkins Reservoir
  • Horsethief Reservoir
  • Mann Creek Reservoir
  • Mountain View Reservoir
  • Oneida Narrows Reservoir
  • Palisades Reservoir
  • Tripod Reservoir