Idaho has more than 18 million acres of national forest and some of the best hiking in the country. Hiking clubs allow people to step away from their everyday lives for a little bit each week and socialize and climb with other hikers. Most hiking clubs in Idaho go on a dozen or more hikes a year, ranging from beginner to advanced ability.
Membership
Most hiking clubs in Idaho are nonprofits run by members. Some clubs, like the Idaho Alpine Club, require a membership fee of $20 a year for individuals. Other clubs have lower annual dues and ask members to help with carpooling or chip in on gas money. Membership dues go to park passes and other costs, but do not include the cost of any equipment. The majority of Idaho hiking clubs are for adults, but some allow older children to hike with a responsible adult.
Trails
Idaho hikers will find plenty of trails and places to explore. Whether marked and maintained by a forest service, or forged anew each year by hikers, the trails are diverse and challenging. Examples of Idaho hiking club outings include the 14-mile round-trip hike on the Upper Coeur d'Alene River in northern Idaho, the 20-mile Wood River Trail, which runs from north of Ketchum through Hailey, Idaho, or the more advanced trails of Lemhi Range, in southeastern Idaho near the Wyoming and Montana borders.
Conservation
Idaho hiking clubs aren't just about hiking. Members also learn about local conservation and take care to leave the trails and land better than they found them. Many clubs organize clean-up days to clear trails and campsites and advocate for wilderness conservation in Idaho. Winter Wildlands Alliance, a hiking and recreation organization, is dedicated to maintaining and advocating for non-motorized land access throughout Idaho. Members of WWA and other hiking clubs also donate their time and energy to local and national conservation programs.
Women
The majority of Idaho hiking clubs are open to everyone, but a few are only for women hikers. The Boise Women's Hiking Network serves more than 800 women in the Boise metropolitan area. The Boise WHN also does group hikes, overnight camping trips and other activities. Some women's hiking clubs also hold coed hikes.
Winter Activities
Extreme outdoor enthusiasts enjoy winter hikes in Idaho's higher elevations, where snowfall has been known to reach 500 inches. Other winter activities enjoyed by hiking clubs include snowshoeing, long-distance skiing and classes on preparedness.
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