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Challis Field Office

Big Lost River Access Trail

Access Map (pdf)

Public access points provide safe, legal access to public land while protecting private property rights. This loop trail defines and recognizes public access to the Big Lost River. The ‘main’ trail to the river is designed for maximum accessibility, while the secondary trail is more challenging and provides a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Location: Approximately 1 mile northwest of Mackay, Idaho along the Big Lost River. Northwest of the River Park Golf Course in Mackay. Head due west off of Beverland Road.

Big Lost River Access Trail view of Mt. McCaleb
The Big Lost River and Mt. McCaleb

Big Lost Access Trail  Big Lost Access Trail

Recreation Sites & Activities

The trail started as a joint effort between the City of Mackay and the Bureau of Land Management. BLM staff roughed out the trail in 2006 and volunteers later refined the trail system in 2007. A Recreational Trails Program grant from the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation helped to finish the trail system in 2008.

Remember that this trail has been a community effort. Respect the adjacent private property by staying on the trail and using non-motorized means to get to the river.

For motorized recreationists, the old road from here up Blaze Canyon to the Windy Devil communication tower is a designated ATV trail.

The Mountain Whitefish by Joseph Tomerelli
The Mountain Whitefish

There is a unique population of mountain whitefish in the Big Lost River which have shown
a decline in relation to historical numbers and range due to a number of factors.  Federal and state government agencies, irrigation districts, conservation organizations and private land owners are all working together to reverse this trend. 

Releasing the fish you catch can help sustain and build the population of wild fish. Just remember to do as little damage as possible by keeping the fish in the water as much as you can, de-hooking quickly and efficiently, and minimize handling of the fish.

Do your part by practicing catch and release fishing techniques:

  • Decide beforehand which fish are to be kept and immediately release all others.
  • Try fishing with barbless hooks or flatten the barb on the hook.
  • Wet your hands or gloves to handle the fish and minimize the time the fish is out of the water.
  • Use either needle-nose pliers or a de-hooking tool to gently remove the hook from the fish’s mouth by backing the hook out through the original injury.
  • If the fish has swallowed the hook, or if the hook is set too deeply, cut the line and release the fish.  The hook will dissolve over time with no harm to the fish.
  • Once the hook is removed or the line is cut, gently hold the fish in the water, pointing
    upstream, until it can swim away on its own.
  • If the hook is in the gills, the throat, or an artery, the fish’s chances of survival are greatly reduced. If it’s legal, keep the fish. Also, if a fish is bleeding, keep it if it’s legal to do so.

fishing hooks with and without barbs

   
Last updated: 10-27-2011