About US

Friends of the Weiser River Trail (FWRT) is a private, nonprofit organization formed to convert the old Pacific and Idaho Northern (PIN) railroad grade from Weiser, Idaho, to Rubicon (near New Meadows, ID) into a trail for public recreation. Starting in Weiser, the 84-mile long trail passes through the towns of Midvale, Cambridge, and Council. The entire right-of-way was deeded to Friends of the Weiser River Trail in August 1997 by the Union Pacific Railroad under the railbanking law.

The unpaved trail includes many miles of riparian habitat, an additional 1,400 acres of wildlife habitat, and will provide access to 16,000 acres of BLM and State of Idaho Lands currently otherwise inaccessible to the public. Wildlife often seen along the trail include deer, elk, heron, bear, waterfowl, raptors, and wild turkeys. The setting in the lower (southern) part of the canyon is rolling hills and open canyons topped with black lava cliffs, while the upper (northern) portion is forested. The entire length is unpaved except in the adjacent towns, and the base is rock/gravel (ballast in places).

Our Mission

To preserve the integrity of the Pacific and Idaho Northern Railroad corridor;
To develop, manage and maintain a public recreational trail along its length;
To protect and enhance the riparian and other natural habitats within the corridor.

Covid-19

Needless to say, COVID-19 has impacted everyone, everywhere. The good news is the trail remains open, to serve as a safe and healthy outlet in this new culture of social distancing and pandemic. The restrooms are open in Weiser, Presley and Midvale, and cleaned frequently but obviously not after every use.