For those who want solitude, a portion of the Frank Church-River of No Return wilderness, has lots of it as do other undeveloped areas. In addition, the Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, a part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, are near the Forest. These rugged areas are famous for their spectacular scenery.

There are many opportunities for general or dispersed recreation. Big game hunting and trout fishing are popular. Over 7,600 miles of streams and more than 250 lakes and reservoirs offer excellent water sports activities including rafting, kayaking, sailing, and water skiing.

Visitors can backpack, ride horseback or motorbike on over 850 miles of trails. Four trails have been established as National Recreation Trails: William H. Pogue (motorized/nonmotorized travel), Whoop-Um-Up (cross-country skiing), Hull's Gulch (non-motorized travel) and Crawford-Yellow Pine (snowmobiling).

Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing are popular in winter. Many of the snow trails are regularly groomed. Bogus Basin Ski Area, just north of Boise, provides alpine skiing opportunities with six ski lifts, 45 groomed runs and 2,000 acres of night skiing, as well as several miles of nordic skiing opportunities..