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Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area

Lima, Idaho · Lemhi County

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 25,000 acres of public lands (with nearly 15,000 acres recommended for wilderness designation) in the Eighteenmile Wilderness Study Area (WSA) of north-central Idaho. The landscape is remote, rugged and mountainous - moving from foothills to grassy meadows to the steep cliffs along the Cont…

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About Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area

In Idaho, BLM manages nearly 25,000 acres of public lands (with nearly 15,000 acres recommended for wilderness designation) in the Eighteenmile Wilderness Study Area (WSA) of north-central Idaho. The landscape is remote, rugged and mountainous - moving from foothills to grassy meadows to the steep cliffs along the Continental Divide. The vegetation here varies from sagebrush-grass communities at lower elevations to forests of Douglas fir and lodgepole pine at the higher elevations. While the WSA is closed to all motorized use, this is a popular area for non-motorized big game hunting in the fall. Visitors also enjoy excellent opportunities for solitude and for hiking, sight-seeing, backpacking, rockhounding and wildlife viewing. The area is generally not available December through May because surrounding access roads are closed due to snow. Before visiting this area, please contact the Salmon Field Office for maps and information regarding access.

Plan Your Visit to Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area

Heading to Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area?

No central reservation system listed for Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/14942) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area?

Located in Lemhi County, 15 miles southeast of Leadore, Idaho.

How do I contact Eighteen Mile Wilderness Study Area?

You can reach the park at phone: 208-756-5400 or email: BLM_ID_SalmonOffice@blm.gov .