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How To Get There
Snake River Segment
Until a few years ago, access to this segment was limited to river crossings where the Snake River forms the area’s western boundary. Boaters left from Lewiston or upriver launch sites on the Washington shore, landed on the WMA’s sandy beaches and hiked up the canyons and river breaks.
Today, in addition to river access, road access allows visitors to reach the area by car or truck. Although motorized vehicles are not permitted within this segment, two parking lots and several undeveloped parking areas on the segment’s perimeter provide access points for hunters, anglers, hikers, horseback riders and others.
Parking Area 1:
Madden Creek Access: From Lewiston, travel south to Tammany Creek Road. Take this road east to County Road 540 (Waha Road) and then go south 8.0 miles to the 21 Ranch, located at the junction of the Redbird Road. From there, go west on Redbird Road 1.7 miles and take the first road to the left (IDFG access road). Follow that road 2.5 miles to the designated parking area, look for access signs along the route.
Parking Area 2:
Gaiser/Redbird Creek Access: Follow the same directions as for Area 1 to Redbird Road. Then continue west on Redbird Road 4.8 miles to the designated parking areas, look for signs along this route.
Peter T. Johnson Wildlife Mitigation Unit
There are two designated parking areas that provide access to the Peter T. Johnson Unit. There is however, motorized access beyond these two areas and vehicles may park in numerous undeveloped sites along open roadways. Please refrain from parking in front of gates and off road as it may hinder access by emergency vehicles and/or damage critical wildlife habitat.
Parking Area 1:
A parking area is located at Kruze Meadows Corrals. From Lewiston, travel south to Tammany Creek Road. Take this road east to County Road 540 (Waha Road) and then continue south past Waha Lake. The road will turn from pavement to gravel. Follow this road to the junction of County Road 540 and Zaza Road. Turn right onto the Zaza Road and continue on to the parking area located at Kruze Meadows.
Parking Area 2:
November 26 – March 15.
Follow the directions to parking area 1 and continue on the Zaza road to the signed parking area near the Junction of the Deer Creek Rd. This is a favorite starting point for snowmobile enthusiasts looking to enjoy Craig Mountain and Hell’s Canyon’s pristine and scenic landscape. This parking area is open seasonally during the winter recreation months.
General Information
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game owns approximately 78,000 acres south of Lewiston, Idaho, known as the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area. This area was created to protect and enhance some of the most important and unique wildlife and fish habitat along the lower Snake and Salmon Rivers, in Idaho.
Approximately 18,000 acres of this Wildlife Management Area were funded by sportsman’s dollars and private donations. It was purchased in order to provide critical habitat for wildlife and recreational access for hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts along the Snake River. This part of the WMA encompasses the lower portion of scenic Hell’s Canyon, which is the deepest gorge in the United States, even deeper than the famed Grand Canyon! This national treasure includes some of the most rugged and spectacular wildlands on earth. An unparalleled diversity of wildlife and rock paintings over 7,000 years old are some of the exciting attractions awaiting your visit to Hell’s Canyon and Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area.
The Dworshak Dam Wildlife Mitigation Agreement led to the acquisition of the 60,000-acre Peter T. Johnson Wildlife Mitigation Unit. This unit makes up the eastern portion of the Craig Mountain WMA lying north of the shoreline of the Salmon River. This segment was established in order to restore and maintain important native habitats for many species of wildlife.
In addition to the lands owned or managed by IDFG, the Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Lands, Nez Perce Tribe, United States Forest Service and the Nature Conservancy also own significant acreages intermingled within the Craig Mountain WMA. Many programs on these lands are also managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. In combination, these ownerships bring the total acreage of lands available for public recreation on Craig Mountain to over 140,000 acres.
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