Maybe it will be a trophy trout that draws you to Silver Creek; always just so abundant, always feeding, but never interested in your fly. Maybe you’ll come to hear the cry of the sandhill cranes as they return in the spring or the flocks of waterfowl whistling overhead on their fall migration. Or perhaps you’ll make the trip to see that legendary, glorious light: A light that seems designed by a photographer, or an artist, with its rich pastel of purples, reds, yellows and blues.

Whatever the reason, we know your heart will be captured by this special place in Idaho’s high desert.

Each year, the preserve draws visitors from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries. The fly fishing is legendary, of course, but the preserve offers many other outdoor activities.

Flowing at the base of the Picabo Hills, this high-desert spring-fed creek attracts an abundance of wildlife including eagles, hawks, songbirds, waterfowl, coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, deer and elk. Silver Creek’s globally unique aquatic ecosystem features one of the highest densities of stream insects in North America, which supports the world-class fishery.

As many as 150 species of birds have been identified along the self-guided nature trail, which begins at the preserve visitor center. The Conservancy owns 851 acres along Silver Creek and has protected more than 12,600 acres through conservation easements, making this one of the most successful private stream conservation efforts ever undertaken for public benefit.

Contact: Lou Lunte, preserve manager, at llunte@tnc.org or call (208) 788-7910.