Top wilderness areas
Wilderness AreaFrank Church–River of No Return Wilderness
Wilderness AreaOwyhee River Wilderness
Wilderness AreaSawtooth Wilderness
Wilderness AreaBruneau – Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness
Wilderness AreaHells Canyon Wilderness
Wilderness AreaLittle Jacks Creek Wilderness
Wilderness AreaNorth Fork Owyhee Wilderness
Wilderness AreaPole Creek Wilderness
Wilderness AreaBig Jacks Creek Wilderness
Wilderness AreaWhite Clouds Wilderness
Wilderness AreaJim McClure–Jerry Peak Wilderness
Wilderness AreaHemingway–Boulders Wilderness
Wilderness Areas by county
All wilderness areas (13)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness | Valley County | — | Hailey | 1 |
| Owyhee River Wilderness | Owyhee County | — | Mountain Home | 1 |
| Sawtooth Wilderness | Custer County | — | Hailey | 1 |
| Bruneau – Jarbidge Rivers Wilderness | Owyhee County | — | Mountain Home | 1 |
| Hells Canyon Wilderness | Idaho County | — | Grangeville | 1 |
| Little Jacks Creek Wilderness | Owyhee County | — | Mountain Home | 2 |
| North Fork Owyhee Wilderness | Owyhee County | — | Kuna | 1 |
| Pole Creek Wilderness | Owyhee County | — | Mountain Home | 1 |
| Big Jacks Creek Wilderness | Owyhee County | — | Mountain Home | 1 |
| White Clouds Wilderness | Custer County | — | Sun Valley | 1 |
| Jim McClure–Jerry Peak Wilderness | Blaine County | — | Sun Valley | 1 |
| Hemingway–Boulders Wilderness | Blaine County | — | Sun Valley | 1 |
| Gospel Hump Wilderness | Idaho County | — | Grangeville | 1 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph wilderness areas
Wilderness areas reward those who camp: being on location at sunrise and in the dark is the main advantage over day visitors.
- Motorized and mechanized equipment, including drones, is prohibited in designated wilderness.
- Group size limits and permits may apply; check with the managing agency.
- Practice Leave No Trace — camp on durable surfaces away from lakes and streams.
- Pack weight matters: a single zoom and a light tripod cover most situations.
- Night skies are often among the darkest in the country.
Season: Most high wilderness is snow-free from July to September; lower deserts are best in spring and autumn.