Crow's Nest Road

Crow’s Nest Road is a pleasant drive through the wide-open Southern Idaho Desert. The terrain varies from slightly rolling hills, shallow ridges, rocky outcroppings, and canyons. Most of the area is open range, so beware of cattle on the road. The road is easily driven in the family sedan. For those with more capable vehicles and a sense of adventure, numerous two-track spurs ipe for further exploration lead off Crow’s Nest Road.

Crow’s Nest Road is accessed on the north from Highway 30, just south of the Snake River. Take the turn as if you were going to the ancient horse archaeological site. After a few miles, turn left onto Saylor Creek Road. When you get to the Y in the road, at the offroad motorcycle play area, veer right onto Crow’s Nest Road. The first few miles go through a large motorcycle play area with many trails going up the hills. Be careful for unwary riders on the main road!

After about ten miles, a sign indicates entry into the Saylor Creek Wild Horse Management Area. Saylor Creek HMA is over 100,000 acres and home to approximately 130 protected wild horses. It also has deer, elk, antelope, and many other wild game species. Crow’s Nest Road follows along the Saylor Creek HMA for much of its length.

Although dispersed camping is allowed in the area, no great camping spots are right along the road. There may be good spots along the side roads and trails. The developed campground at Balanced Rock Park is a few miles down the pavement from the south end of Crow’s Nest Road. Nearby Balanced Rock is worth a side trip to see one of the grandest wind-carved monoliths in the country! From the parking area, it looks big. If you walk up to it, it looks HUGE! And the views from up there are pretty spectacular.