Smith Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Smith Falls is deep in the Sawtooth Wilderness, more than 11 miles from the nearest trailhead, and is usually reached on an overnight trip.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Smith Falls
Smith Falls is a backcountry waterfall on the upper South Fork Payette River in the Sawtooth Wilderness, in Boise County, Idaho. The river slides over a granite slab above Elk Lake, just below the trail junction for Benedict Lake. It is not a short day hike: the usual approach is the South Fork Payette River Trail from the Grandjean trailhead, and Elk Lake alone is roughly 11 to 12 miles in.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
Follow the South Fork Payette River Trail southeast from Grandjean, past Big Meadows and Elk Lake, then continue upstream to the falls below the Benedict Lake junction. Elk Lake is about 11 to 12 miles from the trailhead and the falls are farther up the canyon, so most visitors see them on a multi-day backpacking trip. Above the falls the trail makes back-to-back crossings of Benedict Creek and the South Fork that can be difficult at high water.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Smith Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs must be on a leash on Sawtooth Wilderness trails from July 1 through Labor Day.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Smith Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Mid to late summer, after snowmelt has dropped, is the easiest time for the trail and creek crossings. The falls carry the most water during early summer runoff.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow.
Safety Information
Above the falls, the crossings of Benedict Creek and the South Fork Payette can be dangerous at high spring and early summer flows. This is remote wilderness with no cell service, and weather can change quickly.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Valley Creek, 16.3 miles away, not on Smith Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
93 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 87 years of record
0.81 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge VALLEY CREEK AT STANLEY ID (26 km away).
Today
Moderate
93 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
90 cfs
8/10Sat
Moderate
97 cfs
5/10Sun
Moderate
94 cfs
8/10Mon
Moderate
97 cfs
5/10Tue
Moderate
104 cfs
5/10Wed
Moderate
102 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid July, peaking in June.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Stanley hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Smith Falls Frozen?
Updated about 16 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Smith Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°F to 34°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 91 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Idaho.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 77 feet through Smith Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 7,016 feet.
The ground changes about 61 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 38 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face north and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 7,016 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 77 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The nearest trailhead is Grandjean, reached by a gravel road off Idaho Highway 21 between Lowman and Stanley. From there, hike the South Fork Payette River Trail upstream past Elk Lake. The falls are not close to the town of Stanley by road.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Grandjean trailhead at the end of the Grandjean road.
Elevation
7,054 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.000217° N, -115.040724° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Plan this as a backpacking trip and carry a map of the Sawtooth Wilderness. Bring water treatment, layers and sturdy boots. Expect wet crossings in early summer.
This trail sits at 7,054 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 28% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Where to Stay
Redfish Riverside Inn
Stanley High Country Inn
Timberhaven Cabin
Secluded Modern Yurt with Sauna Perfect for Small Groups in Boise, Idaho
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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Nearby Attractions
Elk Lake and Fern Falls lie downstream on the same trail, and Benedict, Ardeth and Virginia Lakes are in the basins above the falls.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be aware of potential encounters with bears and take appropriate precautions.
Nearby Waterfalls
Other waterfalls named Smith Falls
3 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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