Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Sean Oblizalo on Unsplash

Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail

~3 days · 28.9 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance28.9 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain9,964 ft
Gain / mile345 ft
High point6,870 ft

What the Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail is known for

Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail #726 follows its namesake creek into a forested canyon south of the Selway River, starting near Slims Camp by Selway Falls in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. A point-to-point trail of about 24 miles that hugs the creek bottom before climbing.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 5,876 ft to 22,024 ft over 28.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 19.4 mi · 67%
  • Downhill 5.8 mi · 20%
  • Flat 3.6 mi · 12%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 28.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail?

The Meadow Creek National Recreation Trail climbs roughly 9,964 ft total — about 345 ft per mile, topping out near 6,870 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

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