There’s something powerful about trails. No matter who you are, where you come from, or how far you plan to go, a trail invites you in. Step by step, it connects us—to the land, to ourselves, and to one another. In a world that can feel divided and overwhelming, ... Read More
"Thanksgiving makes me think of...." I remembered this writing prompt from elementary school the other day while at Costco, of all places. It came to me in a wave of cynicism, as in, "Thanksgiving makes me think of crafty marketing campaigns pushing Christmas shopping before the pumpkin pie’s cold". ... Read More
This holiday season, support businesses that support trails and public lands! Grab a hot drink and click around awhile. There’s something for everyone on your list and you don’t have to leave the house to shop! *Please note: some of these are small businesses and love serving their customers, ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
We’re excited to spotlight Jestine, a passionate advocate for the outdoors who jumped right into the ITA community this past summer! She first connected with ITA through a shared love of Idaho’s wild places and stepped up to serve as camp cook on a week-long St. Joe River project—keeping ... Read More
Do you remember a daily routine outside of pings, scrolling, and screens? Our Frank Church Immersion crew has returned from almost two weeks clearing trail spanning from the historic Chamberlain Guard Station to Dillinger Meadow, spending time in one of the most remote places in the lower 48. The ... Read More
A huge thank you to our Youth Trail Crew Volunteer, Andie Link, for bringing her energy, creativity, and love for the outdoors to ITA! Since her very first youth trip to Loon Lake, she’s jumped in on projects like Copper Creek and Taylor Ranch, always ready to work hard, ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
On July 12th, I met eight ITA volunteers at the Hum Lake/Duck Lake trailhead east of McCall, on the Payette National Forest. On our 2025 project schedule, this looked like just another one-day trail project, working a popular route to a beautiful high mountain lake. We include this project ... Read More
Way out on the historic Magruder Corridor, ITA and ERTH Beverage Company teamed up for 12 miles of trail work above the Salmon River. This remote section of the Idaho Centennial Trail includes one of the toughest climbs of the whole 1,000 miles of the ICT, and this crew ... Read More
Thanks to Backcountry Hunters & Anglers for partnering with us on this project on the North Fork of the Boise River! Our crew worked up the North Fork Boise River Trail, clearing brush and re-establishing the trail through several small rockslides. At 1.75 miles, we reached a large slide ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
As part of our efforts to help our Forest Service partners fill gaps left by recent job and budget cuts, ITA launched a "strike team" program this summer, where crew leaders and experienced volunteers respond to unplanned trail work needs. The Krassel District of the Payette National Forest voiced ... Read More
Eleven of us ITA volunteers that included a wonderful cook spent a week based out of the Magruder Ranger House while we cleared the Selway River Trail from its trailhead near the house down to Upper Crossing. We brushed, cut logs, cleaned water bars and refreshed some tread areas— ... Read More
From June 18-25, ITA teamed up with SBFC and Forest Service to clear ~10 miles of trail along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The team of 12 worked through heat, rain, and a bit of snow to remove trees, clear drains, redo/reroute tread, and brush various sections ... Read More
In recent weeks, Utah Senator Mike Lee, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee, put forward a plan to sell millions of acres of public land across 11 Western states, including Idaho, as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Many of you stepped up to ... Read More
We’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on Trisha, one of ITA’s incredible volunteers whose passion for the outdoors and dedication to giving back has made a real impact on Idaho’s trails! Since discovering ITA through the hiking community, she’s jumped into trail work with both boots and heart—completing seven ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
Jess brings a wealth of experience to ITA—from working as a wilderness ranger to decades in nonprofit and public service—but what stands out most is her passion for building community and connecting people with the outdoors. Since jumping into leadership with ITA in 2021, Jessica has led trail crews ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
A huge thank you to Pamela and Walter for their incredible dedication and service as ITA Crew Leaders! Since first discovering ITA at an end-of-season party in Ann Morrison Park, they’ve become an essential part of our trail family—volunteering for everything from ITA events to multi-day adventures and even ... Read More
We are excited to announce our 2025 Volunteer Project Schedule is out and ready for member sign-ups! Sign-ups for the public open on March 15. We have over 80 projects scheduled this year all across the state: One-day projects near Sandpoint, McCall, Boise, and Pocatello. Weekend camping and backpacking trips for ... Read More
Dear ITA members and supporters, Idaho Trails Association was saddened to learn that over 3,400 Forest Service employees nationwide were fired last week, many of whom were in Idaho. As a partner in public land trail stewardship, we value our dedicated land manager partners. We are a force multiplier, ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
In just her second year volunteering with ITA, Anne went all in—signing up for an incredible seven projects! Among them was ITA’s three-week Immersion Project in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, where she brought her unwavering passion for the wilderness and tackled the tough work of clearing trails alongside some awesome ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
We’re thrilled to introduce Barbara Sammut as ITA’s new North Idaho Trail Program Specialist! Based in Coeur d’Alene, Barbara's passion for hiking and connecting to people through Idaho’s outdoor spaces makes her a perfect fit for our mission. Join us in giving Barbara a warm ITA welcome – we’re ... Read More
As we close out the year, all of us at Idaho Trails Association want to take a moment to celebrate what an incredible year 2024 has been for Idaho’s trails—all thanks to YOU! Your unwavering support has helped keep trails open, accessible, and thriving. We cleared more miles ... Read More
By Melanie Vining, ITA Executive Director In trail work, there is no “Done with a capital D”, but there are finish lines. Often, we clear sections of trail and, at weekend or week’s end, leave knowing we contributed but that there is more to be cleared to get to ... Read More
Dear Trail Lovers, We're kicking off our Annual Membership Drive to raise $65,000 in support of Idaho’s trails on December 1 and going through the end of the month. With your help, we can make 2025 an incredible year for preserving and maintaining the places we all cherish. Whether ... Read More
Congratulations to our north Idaho Volunteer of the Year, Ken Dueis, for his great work in helping co-lead his first projects this summer for Idaho Trails Association. "Ken is a high energy, very active volunteer with ITA. During 2024, he worked on multiple projects up north, served as Deputy ... Read More
by Bryce Campbell, ITA Crew Leader. Bryce was part of ITA’s three week Wilderness Immersion Project in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness this past summer. Here are some of his thoughts on his experience in the Wilderness. When reflecting on my ITA immersion experience from this past summer, a quote from ... Read More
Both Anne and Alisa were part of ITA's three week Wilderness Immersion Project in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness this past summer. Here are some of their thoughts on their experience in the Wilderness. Sensory Recalibration by Anne Favorite, Immersion Crew Member Looking to reboot, recharge? Then get yee to the ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More
Don was awarded the 2024 North Idaho ITA Crew Leader of the Year! He has been leading crews for many years and is always willing to take on the longer weekend and weeklong projects. When changes to the locations of trail projects inevitably arise, his ability to roll with ... Read More
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current ... Read More