A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service cabin or lookout

Big Trinity Cabin

Forest Service cabin or lookout in Boise National Forest, Elmore County, Idaho. About 7,900 feet. 24 miles from Idaho City.

Managed by
Forest Service Boise National Forest
Elevation
About 7,900 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
2 2 cabin non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Elmore County

Overview

Big Trinity Cabin offers a quiet retreat in a beautiful high alpine landscape. The cabin is situated within a popular summer recreation area with many activities to enjoy. The cabin has a limited season due to late snow melt, but is accessible by vehicles with reasonable ground clearance. Many creature comforts are provided; however, guests may want to bring some supplies and gear to make their experience more comfortable and enjoyable.

Recreation

The 4- mile Rainbow Basin Trail system for pedestrain travel only, offers access to several lakes, hikers can access the trail System from the trailhead located within Big Trinity Lake campground. Other trails within the area Roaring River trail 045, and Lava Mountain trail 125, these are motorized motorcycle trails. Click here for an Idaho OHV Safety Message. Anglers can fish in any of the nearby lakes for rainbow and cutthroat trout. The lakes are also ideal for exploring by canoe or kayak.

Facilities

The cabin sleeps six and is equipped with one double bed, a sofa bed, side tables, a drop-down kitchen table, cleaning supplies, dishes and tableware, chairs and a dining table, cookware and a fire extinguisher. A wood stove is available for heating and cooking.

A picnic table and campfire ring with grill are provided outside. Drinking water is available from a nearby hand pump. The cabin is stocked with seasoned wood, a splitting maul, axe and hatchet. A vault restroom is located outside.

No electricity or propane is available. Guests must bring garbage bags to pack out their trash. Bedding, lighting and emergency supplies are not provided. Guests are responsible for cleaning the cabin before leaving.

Natural Features

The cabin is located in a dense lodgepole pine forest close to the East Fork Roaring River at an elevation of 7,900 feet. It's nestled among four subalpine lakes: Big Roaring River Lake, Little Roaring River Lake, Big Trinity Lake and Little Trinity Lake. The peaks of the Boise Mountains surround the cabins, and Trinity Mountain, the tallest in the range at 9,451 feet, is just to the south. Snow can make this area inaccessible until early July, but soon afterward, the land is blanketed by colorful summer wildflowers. This area is a haven for elk and deer, but wildlife watchers may also spot an occasional black bear.

Nearby Attractions

The summit of Trinity Mountain is the highest drivable point in Idaho, although the road may be blocked by snow until early July. A short, steep hike takes visitors to the lookout tower for panoramic views of several subalpine lakes and other mountains in the Boise Range.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • canoeing
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • non-motorized boating
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Big Trinity Cabin

The ringed pin is this cabin or lookout; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.