Sheep Rock Overlook

The Sheep Rock Overlook is a small, but extensive hike that offers some of the greatest views through one of the shortest hikes in the Payette National Forest. The trail itself is only half a mile on one loop that connects back to the parking area, but despite its short distance, it boasts some amazing scenery.

The trail's parking area starts at the end of the loop of NF-106, where Cant House is, a small historic ranch that was once operational. Once parked here, you'll be greeted with rolling hills and mountainous grasslands that surround the gravel parking area. The place has no amenities, and you'll need to be prepared to bring water and clean up bags before hiking. 

The small trail has no rules for pups other than that they must be cleaned up after, so you can walk with Fido off leash if you want to. When you and Fido start, you'll be met immediately with a sharp incline over jagged rocks and a gravel trail that follows along a small drop off. The trees that surround the trail open up and give a sharp view of the mountain range in the distance. It's not long before you get to the peak, where you and Fido will see one of the best views of Hell's Canyon, which offers multiple valleys and peaks in the nearly 2.3 million-acre national park.

The overlook was named for the Bighorn Sheep that used to roam the area, and although they don't anymore, you and Fido will have a chance to see other wildlife like birds, deer, elk, cougars, and other mountain cats. If you pay attention, you'll notice a mixture of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir lining the trail, and beautiful wildflowers on the ridge in the spring and summer.

It's only a short walk back to the parking lot, but you and Fido could easily hike the trail again, or make plans to come back another day to see even more beauty from the peak.