41 – Big Southern Butte
Big Southern Butte is a prominent volcanic dome located in Butte County, Idaho, rising approximately 2,500 feet above the surrounding Snake River Plain to an elevation of 7,550 feet. Formed around 300,000 years ago, it stands as one of the largest and youngest rhyolitic domes in the world.
The butte offers visitors a challenging yet rewarding experience. A rugged, single-lane Bureau of Land Management (BLM) road leads to the summit, accessible to high-clearance vehicles during favorable weather conditions. Hikers can also trek this route, enjoying panoramic views that extend from the Tetons to the south hills of Twin Falls. The surrounding landscape features unique geological formations, making it a fascinating destination for geology enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike.
More Information
No Additional Info
Coordinates: 43.396155, -113.022586
Elevation: 7520 ft
Difficulty: 3
What to Expect: No info
Check In
Please read before attempting challenge site or checking in:
Use the form below to check in. Check in’s must include a photo of you or your bike, at the challenge site, with the 2025 bandanna. To check in, all participants must be registered IAMC Challenge Members. Be sure to leave a description about the ride, and share any road conditions as snow, water, or obstacles. Please provide any other information that might help future visitors navigate to this site safely. Replying or commenting on another persons Check In is encouraged, but take care not to create your own Check In on accident.
The stated ride difficulty is just an estimate. By rating the ride difficulty in your experience according to this scale you can help future riders stay safe. You, and you alone are responsible for the safety of your ride. While we do our best to accurately convey the challenge level for each site, it is up to you to make sure you have the skills needed to reach each destination. If you feel the trail exceeds your skill level please turn around immediately.
NOTE: We have been having some issues uploading images. We are working on this. If you are having trouble, try resizing your images to less than 1280×1280 pixels and keep files sizes down to a minimum. If the problem persists, please reach out on the Forums under “Website Tips and Questions.” This should just be a temporary issue as we get the tech figured out. Thank you.
Made it to the foot of Cedar/Southern Butte. Not open until mid May, but I met Dave there, and he is 77 years old, and still enjoys kicking up some dust. Road in was recently graded, but there was pockets of thick gravel to navigate.