William Pogue

The Boise National Forest was created in 1908, and it covers more than 2,600,000 acres of land in Idaho. Within that space, there's a variety of geological features, and one of the best ways to get to know the area is by hiking it with your pet! There are several hiking trails within the Boise National Forest, including the William Pogue National Recreation Trail near Boise. Your dog can join you for a hike on this 18-mile trail as long as they stay on their leash throughout your journey.

It takes most hikers about 10 hours to complete this difficult trail, but your hard work will be rewarded along the way with incredible views of your surroundings.

At the beginning of your hike, you'll go through the Sheep Creek Roadless Area. This 60,00-acre space lies within the Sheep Creek and Roaring River drainages. During this part of your hike, you'll see plenty of tall grass, ponderosa pines, and cottonwood trees. As you begin to climb through Sheep Creek, you'll see more douglas fir and sub-alpine fir trees. You'll also start to see rock formations and sweeping vistas below you.

The best time to hike the William Pogue Trail is from spring to fall, and during your hike, you'll likely see mountain bikers, horseback riders, and fishers in addition to hikers. There are campgrounds along the way as well if you'd pre-fur to make your stay a longer one.

A variety of wildlife can be found along the William Pogue Trail, including mule deer, elk, black bears, mountain lions, and plenty of birds. Be on the lookout for predatory animals during your hike, and respect that this area is their home. Always clean up after yourselves along the way and leave the park as clean as you found it.

If you and your dog are up for a challenging hike near Boise, give the William Pogue Trail a try!