Big Hole

Near Spanish Town, Idaho · Sawtooth National Forest

Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified

WATER: river
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: Free
SEASON: Varies by conditions

About Big Hole

Big Hole is a Forest Service day-use site on the South Fork Boise River in the Sawtooth National Forest's Fairfield Ranger District, about 6 miles downriver (west) of the Big Smoky Guard Station via Forest Road 227. The U.S. Forest Service describes it as a site 'popular for its swimming hole,' with a vault toilet and very limited parking but no fee and no potable water.

The site lies along the South Fork Boise River corridor in the Sawtooth National Forest, reached via Forest Road No. 227 roughly 6 miles downriver from the Big Smoky Guard Station area, in the Fairfield Ranger District east of Featherville, Idaho.

Swimming at Big Hole

The U.S. Forest Service designates Big Hole a day-use site 'popular for its swimming hole' on the South Fork Boise River; official sources do not give further detail on pool depth, current strength, or water clarity.

How to get to this swimming hole

From the Featherville area, follow Forest Road No. 227 along the South Fork Boise River; Big Hole is about 6 miles west (downriver) of the Big Smoky Guard Station area.

Parking: Very limited parking at the day-use site; the Forest Service asks visitors not to block the road or bathroom access.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Big Hole is a roadside day-use site reached via Forest Road 227, about 6 miles downriver (west) of the Big Smoky Guard Station area in the Fairfield Ranger District -- no hike is required to reach the river. One unverified aggregator source (newdescents.com) states Forest Road 227 currently has large washouts on both sides of Big Hole, limiting vehicle access to non-motorized travel and motorcycles only, which would effectively require hiking or biking in on the road; the current Sawtooth National Forest alerts/notices page (checked this session) lists no active alert for FR 227, so this washout claim could not be corroborated and may be stale.

Plan your visit

Parking

Free

USFS describes parking as 'limited' at the day-use site and asks visitors not to block the road or bathroom access, indicating a small roadside pullout rather than a formal paved lot.

Restrooms

Yes

A single vault toilet is located across Forest Road 227 from the day-use site (USFS official page). An aggregator site (newdescents.com) reports the restroom is 'not being maintained,' but this is unconfirmed by the Forest Service and could be outdated.

Hours

Designated day-use only (no overnight camping); no specific posted daily open/close hours were found in official sources.

On the water

The official USFS page lists only swimming, fishing, and picnicking as activities at Big Hole and makes no mention of kayaking, canoeing, or motorized boating; no source confirming or prohibiting watercraft use here was found, so this is left unconfirmed rather than assumed.

Big Hole: FAQ

Does Big Hole charge a fee?

No fee (free day-use site).

Do I need to hike to reach Big Hole?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Big Hole?

USFS describes parking as 'limited' at the day-use site and asks visitors not to block the road or bathroom access, indicating a small roadside pullout rather than a formal paved lot.

What are the rules at Big Hole?

Day-use only, no overnight camping; horses and pack animals are not permitted at the site.