The Boise National Forest includes about 2,612,000 acres of forest land located north and east of the city of Boise. Most of the land is an evergreen forest that includes pure or mixed stands of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine and subalpine fir. Elevations range from 2,600 to 9,800 feet.

Major rivers include the Boise and Payette Rivers and the South and Middle Fork drainages of the Salmon River. Intermingled with the forest are 348,000 acres owned or administered by private citizens or corporations, the State of Idaho, and other federal agencies. Visitors will find over 80 campgrounds and picnic areas providing a variety of recreation experiences, as well as Nordic ski trails for winter use.