Lonesome Highway — Sawtooth Ridge Road to Deadwood Summit via Banner Creek Divide
Idaho's forgotten divide above the Payette.
Banner Summit sits at 6,989 feet on Highway 21 northeast of Boise, but the dirt begins the moment you peel off onto Forest Road 555 heading north toward Deadwood Reservoir and the Deadwood Summit country above it. This route runs through the Boise National Forest’s most isolated middle section — lodgepole flats, granite knobs, creek crossings on Deadwood Creek, and long ridgeline benches where you can see the Sawtooth Range floating to the northeast like a saw blade left on the horizon. The Deadwood Reservoir itself is worth the stop: a large backcountry impoundment at 5,100 feet with almost no services and significant solitude. From the reservoir, FR 555 continues up and over a secondary divide before dropping toward Lowman on the South Fork of the Payette River.
This is a moderate to difficult route — expect soft dirt with embedded river rock, narrow single-lane shelf sections above Deadwood Creek, and one or two creek crossings that can run thigh-deep on spring snowmelt in May and June. A true 4WD with high clearance and a locker is the right call. Best window is July through October. No permit required. Dispersed camping is legal and abundant. Fuel in Stanley or Garden Valley — there is nothing between them. Cell service: essentially zero from Banner Summit onward. Pack a full emergency kit and your own water filtration.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Rock |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 54 mi / 86.9 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 7200 ft |
| Best season | July-October |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance with locker recommended |
| Nearest town | Lowman, ID |
| Land manager | Boise National Forest — Lowman Ranger District |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | USFS Lowman Ranger District Boise National Forest |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this, or do I need a locker?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can make it in dry conditions, but a locker is strongly recommended — rocky shelf sections and loose switchbacks near the Banner Creek Divide will punish open diffs when wet or if you catch a bad line. Lifted rigs with at least 9 inches of clearance are the sweet spot here.
When does this route actually open after winter, and is October too late?
July is the realistic open window — snowpack on the divide can linger into late June and the creek crossings run high and fast with melt before then. October is usually fine but push it past mid-October and you're gambling on early season snow at 7,200 feet with no cell service to call for help.
Do I need a permit or pay any fees to run this route?
No permit required and no fee to drive the route itself — it's Boise National Forest dispersed access under the Lowman Ranger District. If you're camping, follow standard dispersed rules: 14-day limit, 200 feet from water, pack out everything.
What's the gnarliest section and what should I actually expect?
The stretch along the Banner Creek Divide is where it gets honest — narrow two-track with significant drop-offs, loose rock, and limited turnaround options. If you've been lulled into comfort by the early gravel miles, that section will reset your confidence quickly. Take it slow, scout blind corners on foot, and don't rush it.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water on route?
Lowman is your last reliable fuel stop — top off there before you head out, because 54 miles of backcountry with no bailout means you need a full tank plus buffer. Water crossings exist on route but treat everything before drinking; carry at least a day's worth of treated water as backup since creek flow can vary significantly by late summer.
Trail track
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