Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop Hike

Route Description for Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop Hike

Explore Boise's unspoiled wilderness along the Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop Hike. This epic expedition explores perennial streams in the Boise Foothills. While the trail is well maintained and well-signposted, the natural environmental shifts cause some inherent challenges. During peak run-off season, many of the flat-top log bridges are inundated, requiring hikers to ford the fast-moving creek. When doing so, take your time and use your judgment—if it's too fast, turn around! Even in the summer and fall, you can expect to get your feet wet! Additionally, the terrain becomes quite muddy and precarious in spring and after rainfall, demanding careful footing. Note: those exploring in the winter months will likely need a pair of microspikes to safely navigate the slippery path.

Enjoy a peaceful adventure along the Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop. Boasting a pleasant experience, you will relish the opportunity to relax and unwind as you explore a diversity of landscapes, including sagebrush grasslands, stands of Douglas firs, ponderosa pines, and blossoming meadows that frame the streams. These lovely creeks are fed by the mountain springs near Bogus Basin. Oh, don't miss out on the incredible hike by the name of Bogus Basin Loop Trail that is worthy of your exploration assuming time permits. Anyway, this topographical variation attracts plenty of wildlife, including deer, foxes, coyotes, and waterfowl. This beautiful but challenging day hike is an incredible expedition, and we cannot recommend it enough.

Embark on your journey along the Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop from the trailhead off N Bogus Basin Road. Setting out from here, the Dry Creek Trail tracks eastward into the preserved creek canyon. Not long after your departure from the trailhead will the path cross the footbridge over the southern side of the stream. Traveling through exposed grasslands and tree stands, the route will ultimately reach a fork in the road at the convergence of Dry Creek and Shingle Creek. Here veer right, and you will be diverted onto the Shingle Creek Trail.

This route tracks eastwardly up the drainage, alternating through green groves and meadows blossoming with arrowleaf balsamroot and lupines. Intersecting with the stream on several occasions, you will contour the ridges that are loose and uneven in section—so we advise you to take your time and mind your footing. Eventually, the path will divert away from the creek and up the wooded ridge. Using the trail GPS or your judgment, you will be directed up and over the ridge and down the sunny hillsides that offer great views of the surrounding foothills.

After some hiking, you will be delivered into the Dry Creek Canyon. Here, the westbound trail crosses the log bridge over to the north side of the creek, progressing through dense communities of sagebrush interspersed with vibrant wildflowers and numerous backcountry campsites. Enjoy the sounds of the babbling water flowing over incredible beaver dams. The further you travel west, the more barren the landscape will become. Ultimately, you will reach the bridge at the convergence of the perennial creeks. Beyond this point, you will retrace your footing along the Dry Creek Trail back to the trailhead, marking the end of your awesome adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop?

The Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop is a 22.2 km lollipop hike.

Is the Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop muddy?

The Shingle Creek and Dry Creek Loop is muddy at times, notably in the spring after rainfall during peak run-off season.