Borah Peak
Borah Peak, also known as Mount Borah or Beauty Peak, is a mountain in the western United States and the highest summit in Idaho. It stands 18 mi northwest of Mackay. Highs of 73–83°F make June to August the mildest time to go.
A mountain, 18 mi northwest of Mackay
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 6°. When to go ↓
Plan where you’ll sleep
The nearest town with many places to stay is Challis, 34 miles northwest. Where to stay ↓
Best months: Jun, Jul and Aug
June, July and August are the mild months, with highs of 73–83°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
The weather by month
The weather near Borah Peak shifts through the year, as below.
Borah Peak
Borah Peak, also known as Mount Borah or Beauty Peak, is a mountain in the western United States and the highest summit in Idaho. One of the most prominent peaks in the contiguous United States, it is located in central Idaho in the central section of the Lost River Range, within the Challis National Forest in eastern Custer County. On February 11, 2021, the USGS officially recognized Mt. Borah as Idaho's only active glacier.
- Type
- Mountain
- Elevation
- 12,654 ft
- Wikipedia readers
- 25K a year
Towns to stay in near Borah Peak
Places to stay start in Mackay (3) and Challis (7), and Ketchum has the most rooms in the area (24).
Ketchum
The most places to stay in the area, and a base for a longer trip.
3,643 people · 43% vacation homes
43 mi southwest of Borah Peak
Compare 4 towns
| Town | From Borah Peak | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackay | 18 mi southeast | 25 min | 3 1 hotel · 1 motel · 1 RV park | 480 | $280K | — |
| Challis | 34 mi northwest | 50 min | 7 1 hotel · 1 motel · 1 lodge or cabins · 3 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 959 | $176K | — |
| Moore | 35 mi southeast | 50 min | 1 1 lodge or cabins | 176 | $233K | — |
| Ketchum 43% vacation homes | 43 mi southwest | 1 hr | 24 15 hotels · 1 motel · 1 inn or B&B · 7 lodges & cabins | 3,643 | $824K | B |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Make a day of it near Borah Peak
You can reach each of these within 70 miles.
48 mi National PreserveCraters of the Moon National Preserve251K visitors a year44 mi Ski areaSun Valley - Bald Mountain143 runs · 3,363 ft vertical
52 mi National forestSawtooth National Forest
61 mi Park & preserveSawtooth National Recreation Area42 mi Ski areaSun Valley - Dollar Mountain28 runs · 621 ft vertical69 mi Ski areaSoldier Mountain Ski Area41 runs · 1,393 ft vertical
45 mi GardenSawtooth Botanical GardenPhoto credits
Craters of the Moon National Preserve: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Sawtooth National Forest: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sawtooth National Recreation Area: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sawtooth Botanical Garden: Miguel Vieira from Walnut Creek, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
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Good to know about Borah Peak
What town is Borah Peak near?
Mackay, ID, about 18 miles southeast.
When is the best time to visit Borah Peak?
June, July and August, with highs of 73–83°.
What is the closest airport to Borah Peak?
Friedman Memorial (SUN), about 51 miles away. The nearest big hub is Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field (BOI), about 128 miles.
Where should I stay near Borah Peak?
Mackay (18 mi, 3 places to stay), Ketchum (43 mi, 24 places to stay) and Challis (34 mi, 7 places to stay).
Advice from Mackay
Ask a question, or answer one, in Mackay’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.