We Love Idaho Trails
As the voice for hikers, Idaho Trails Association promotes the conservation and enjoyment of Idaho’s backcountry on foot.
ITA is a nonprofit that works with volunteers, organizations, and government partners to preserve Idaho’s incredible trail system through education, maintenance projects, and public lands advocacy. Join us in our mission to keep Idaho’s hiking trails open for all!
Caretaking of Trails
Caretaking of Trails
Since ITA began, we’ve completed nearly 400 trail stewardship projects with the help of hundreds of volunteers.
Education and Awareness
Education and Awareness
ITA educates the public about the stewardship of our recreation areas and following Leave No Trace principles.
Advocacy and Protection
Advocacy and Protection
As the voice for Idaho’s hiking community, ITA works to conserve trails and keep public lands public.
Traditional Skills
Traditional Skills
Crew leaders teach volunteers the safe use of hand tools on every project to keep trails open in the front and backcountry.
Volunteer with ITA
We need hikers, bikers, equestrians, hunters, and public lands enthusiasts of all kinds to join us on trail maintenance projects across the state of Idaho. Give back to your trails by volunteering for a day, weekend or weeklong project in some of the most beautiful landscapes Idaho has to offer. Our experienced crew leaders will teach you everything you need to know about maintaining trails using traditional trail maintenance tools. Find adventure and give back to your public lands!
We host special projects for women, youth, veterans, and more. Check out our FAQs about volunteering or the full list of upcoming projects to find the right one for you.
“There are a lot of things I love about volunteering with ITA! From the smell of freshly-cut everything to being able to explore little-known spectacular Wilderness areas to opening up new/old trails for everyone to explore. I also love all the people that I have met through my ITA experiences. There’s just something magical about quickly forming a team, slowing down to nature’s pace, putting in some hard work on trails together, dealing with and/or accepting whatever weather arrives, and then being able to share stories back at camp or even back at home later.” – ITA Crew Leader Bryce Campbell
Recent Stories
Trail Spotlight: Beetop/Roundtop
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, ... Read More
Volunteer Spotlight: Nick Poling
Get to know one of our incredible volunteers, Nick Poling! From leading Boise State students on unforgettable trail projects ... Read More
Volunteer Spotlight: Pam Bond
We are so grateful to ITA Board Member and Crew Leader Pam Bond for 10 years of service with ... Read More
Follow us on Instagram @IdahoTrailsAssociation
Let's Celebrate Earth Day!🎉🌎
Here are some fun events we have coming up:
Youth Crew BBQ - April 25th in CDA City Park 5-7pm
Earth Day Youth Trail Cleanup - April 26 at Cougar Bay 8am-12pm
Bingo at Jeremiah Johnson - April 27 in CDA 6:30-8:30pm
Join us TONIGHT for a webinar all about backpacking!
What: Backpacking 101 Webinar
When: Wednesday, April 22 starting at 5:30pm PT/ 6:30 MT
What: Ready to ditch the crowds, hit the trail, and carry everything you need for an unforgettable backcountry adventure? Whether you’re new to backpacking or looking to refine your skills, this free webinar will give you the confidence and know-how to explore Idaho’s wilderness like a pro.
We’ll cover the basics you need to get started, gear selection, packing strategies, and tips for making your trip easier and more enjoyable. The webinar will be recorded and available to watch later.
We’ll talk about:
-How to stay safe in the backcountry
-The 10 Essentials every backpacker needs
– Foot care & preventing blisters
– Cooking and meal planning for the trail
– How to filter water safely
– Leave No Trace principles for responsible adventuring
– Recommended beginner-friendly backpacking trips in Idaho
– What to carry for different trip lengths
– Gear recommendations—what to buy & what to skip
– How to efficiently pack your backpack
– Tips for making your trip easier & more enjoyable
– Staying safe while maximizing the fun
Meet Your Presenters:
Tom Dabrowski – ITA Board Member & Crew Leader with decades of backpacking experience
Alisa Rettschlag – ITA Crew Leader & avid backpacker ready to share expert tips
This is the perfect chance to learn, ask questions, and prepare for your next adventure—whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth! Sign up today and get trail-ready.
🔗 See link in our profile to learn more and sign up!
Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? ✈️🏔️
We have two spots available on a truly unforgettable, fly-in volunteer experience deep in the heart of the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness—one of the most remote landscapes in the lower 48. You’ll soar into the Cabin Creek backcountry airstrip, then spend a week backpacking and working your way along Big Creek Trail toward the legendary Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Volunteers will help clear brush, improve tread, and tackle trail challenges while moving camp through stunning backcountry terrain. Along the way, you’ll experience sweeping views, wild country, and the satisfaction of maintaining a vital “highway” for hikers and stock users alike.
If you’ve been dreaming of combining purpose with adventure, this is it!
Learn more here and sign up: https://idahotrailsassociation.org/event/2026-cabin-creek/
Come join us tonight in Moscow!
Win some fun prizes and celebrate Earth Day! 🌍⛰
See you there! 🎉
Looking for a fun, meaningful way to get your kids or grandkids outside this spring? 🌿
Join us April 25–26 in Coeur d’Alene for two awesome youth events:
🔥 April 25: Youth Crew BBQ
Come meet our Youth Program Coordinator (visiting from Boise!), connect with other families, and learn more about our youth trail program for ages 14–18. Food, games, and good vibes—bring a friend!
🥾 April 26: Cougar Bay Youth Trail Day
Celebrate Earth Day weekend by giving back! This one-day project is the perfect intro to trail work—youth will learn hands-on skills, spend time outdoors, and see what our longer summer trips are all about.
Whether your teen is brand new or already loves the outdoors, this is a great way to get involved, build confidence, and make new friends.
👉 Spots are limited—sign up today!
We are looking for Wilderness Steward volunteers to live and work at Windy Saddle in the stunning Seven Devils Mountains this summer! One volunteer could cover the whole three months from June 15-September 15 or multiple volunteers could come serve two weeks or more during that time.
Think:
🥾 Hiking remote wilderness trails
🏕️ Living in an off-grid cabin
🌲 Connecting with fellow adventurers
🧭 Teaching Leave No Trace + protecting wild places
You’ll be the friendly face of the wilderness—helping visitors, caring for campsites, reporting trail conditions, and keeping this incredible landscape wild and thriving. Volunteers receive a $50/day stipend, training, tools, and a truly unforgettable experience. Couples (and one well-behaved dog 🐕) welcome!
learn more here: www.idahotrailsassociation.org/employment/
Got gear collecting dust? Donate it to support your trails! We’re accepting all things outdoorsy—tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, hiking boots, skis, kayaks, and more. All donated items will be sold at the event, with proceeds benefiting trail work across the state. We have drop off locations in Coeur d'Alene, Sandpoint, and Spokane! Link in comments!
Join avid backpacker and Idaho Trails Association Crew Leader Alisa Rettschlag tomorrow (Tuesday, April 14) for an engaging presentation on how to prepare for your next backcountry adventure. Whether you’re planning a day hike, an overnight backpacking trip, or a weekend campout, you’ll leave feeling confident and excited to plan your next outing.
Alisa will share practical tips on the Rule of 3s, the 10 Essentials, emergency preparedness, food planning and packing, and how to get physically ready for your outing. Perfect for adventurers of all experience levels looking to build skills and enjoy the outdoors safely!
What: Preparing For Your Backcountry Adventure Presentation
When: Tuesday, April 14, 7pm
Where: Idaho Outdoor Association: 3401 Brazil St., Boise, ID 83715
Today’s the day! 🎉
It’s your last chance to bid in Idaho Trails Association’s Pack Your Summer Auction—and score something awesome for your next adventure while supporting Idaho’s trails. Some notable items that are going significantly below their value right now: Pistol Creek Ranch Stay for Two, 2-day Lochsa River Adventure, Bogus Powder Tour for Three, Coeur d’Alene Theater Summer Series Dinner and Show Package, Women's Adventure Gear Package, and many more!
From art to gear to unforgettable experiences, every bid helps us keep trails open, accessible, and ready for exploring all season long. But don’t wait—bidding closes tonight at 7pm PT/ 8pm MT, and things can move fast in these final hours!
Jump in, place your bids, and help us finish strong. Because when you support ITA, you’re supporting every mile of trail ahead.
👉 Don’t miss out—bid now! See link in our profile to bid
One of our Youth Trail Crew volunteers, Sydney Udesen, made an original piece of art inspired by a trail crew project featuring Dagger Falls of The Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Salmon Challis National Forest!
And you can bid on this beautiful piece in our Pack Your Summer Auction happening now! https://app.galabid.com/ita-auction-2026
Proceeds from this piece will directly fund ITA's Youth Trail Crew Program!
Statement from the artist: Stewards of Dagger is a watercolor and pen painting of a specific view from one the amazing youth trail crew trips I got to do this summer! The beautiful falls sat directly upstream our campsite and was the best part of leaving and returning from a long day of work out on the trail. I really loved getting to work on this piece and remember all the little inside jokes and fun moments from this trip, painting this brought me a lot of nostalgia, but it made me more excited to get on the trails this summer!