How much does camping cost at Bad Bear Campground?

Camping fees at Bad Bear Campground are $20 - $40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Bad Bear Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Bad Bear Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Bad Bear Campground before I book?

Yes! Bad Bear Campground has 16 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Bad Bear Campground?

Bad Bear Campground is open May 22 to October 01. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Bad Bear Campground?

Bad Bear Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Bad Bear Campground have?

Bad Bear Campground has 6 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Bad Bear Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bad Bear Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bad Bear Campground?

Bad Bear Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bad Bear Campground?

Popular activities at Bad Bear Campground include Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bad Bear Campground

4.26

53 reviews

P.O. Box 129, Idaho City, ID, 83631, USA

Top 19% in IDSummer

CReport Card

Featured in:Tent Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

5,100 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Peak camping season ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Idaho City Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,100 ft

Price

$20 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Peak camping season ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Idaho City Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Bad Bear Campground

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $40.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Provider

208-392-6681matthew.nance@usda.gov

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Campground Map

P.O. Box 129, Idaho City, ID, 83631, USA

Bad Bear Campground

P.O. Box 129, Idaho City, ID, 83631, USA

Nearby places

Idaho City (11 miles south, approximately 15-minute drive), Boise (48 miles southwest, approximately 1-hour drive)

Weather at Bad Bear Campground

Best Time to Camp at Bad Bear Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliably warm, comfortable weather (typical daytime highs around 65–80°F and cool nights in the mid-30s to 50°F), easy road access, and peak recreational opportunities. Mores Creek and surrounding trails are at their best for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing, with wildflowers in full display in early summer. Expect light to moderate crowds on summer weekends at this tiny six-site campground, so book early (reservations open six months). Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 19% in ID

Best season: reliable warm days (65–80°F), peak season May–Sep; reviews praise summer visits.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to October 01. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak camping season runs from May 22 to September 29, with reservations opening 6 months in advance.

About Bad Bear Campground

Bad Bear Campground sits along Mores Creek in Boise National Forest, 3 miles northeast of Idaho City. Run by the Idaho City Ranger District, this small creekside spot offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Visitors fish the creek, watch for wildlife, and enjoy quiet evenings under the pines.

Bad Bear Campground offers a blend of tent and RV camping options, with one double site available for larger groups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of reliably warm, comfortable weather (typical daytime highs around 65–80°F and cool nights in the mid-30s to 50°F), easy road access, and peak recreational opportunities. Mores Creek and surrounding trails are at their best for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing, with wildflowers in full display in early summer. Expect light to moderate crowds on summer weekends at this tiny six-site campground, so book early (reservations open six months). Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation5100 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryMores Creek flows directly through the campground, close enough to several sites that reviewers mention falling asleep to the sound of moving water. Massive Ponderosa pines dominate the canopy, their vanilla-scented bark standing out against the mountain terrain. Wildflowers bloom across the forest floor in early summer. The campground sits in classic Northern Rockies terrain, where the creek has carved through the landscape over millions of years.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or accommodations are available. This campground exclusively offers tent and RV camping options.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay duration is 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Sites accommodate up to 6 guests for single sites and up to 12 guests for double sites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made on Recreation.gov online or through the Recreation.gov mobile app.

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and paved parking spurs enhance usability. No other specific accessibility features are mentioned.

Site SizeSites vary in size, with single sites accommodating up to 6 people and one double site fitting up to 12 individuals.

PrivacySites provide moderate privacy, with some reviewers noting proximity to Highway 21 and limited seclusion in certain locations, such as Sites 1 and 6. Others, like Site 3, offer creekside access enhancing privacy.

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites 2, 3, or 4 for creek access and quieter conditions. Avoid Sites 1 and 6 if proximity to the highway is a concern.

Best CampsitesSite 3 is the double site (up to 12 people) with creekside access and more space. Reviewers prefer sites 2, 3, and 4 for creek proximity and less highway noise. Sites 1 and 6 sit closest to Highway 21 and catch more road sound. Site 2 gets specifically called out as quieter with creek access.

Need help booking Bad Bear Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Bad Bear Campground offers essential amenities tailored to campers seeking a natural experience. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings with benches, lantern hooks, accessible vault toilets, and paved parking spurs. There is a hand pump providing drinking water, tested monthly for contaminants, but campers are advised to prepare alternate water supplies in case of sudden shut-offs. The campground operates on a pack-in-pack-out policy as no trash service is available.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Bad Bear Campground

The campground and surrounding areas offer diverse recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and ATVing. Winter activities like backcountry skiing and snowmobiling are also popular.

Fishing4.0/5

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Winter Activities3.0/5

Backcountry skiing & snowmobiling nearby, but campground is primarily a warm-season site.

Water Sports1.0/5

Small creek setting; no kayak/boat mentions and limited water size for paddling.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; campers rely on vault toilet facilities which are described as clean and without odors by multiple reviewers.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

53 reviews

Satisfactory

Bad Bear Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are generally positive, praising the cleanliness of the facilities, creekside access, and quiet evenings despite proximity to Highway 21.

Review Summaries

Based on 53 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 53 reviews.

Site 3Loved
Site 3 is a double site praised for its creekside access.
Site 4Mentioned
Site 4 and 5 are tent-only sites with direct creek access.
Site 1Issues noted
Site 1 and Site 6 are closest to Highway 21 and noted for traffic noise.

What Campers Love

Reviewers frequently mention clean and well-maintained sites, quiet evenings, convenient creekside access, and the beauty of the surrounding area. "Bathrooms were immaculately clean without odors."...

Based on 53 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include highway noise from Sites 1 and 6, limited space for larger trailers, and lack of hiking trails directly within the campground. "Too close to highway. Pretty loud." "Sites are...

Based on 53 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Recommendations include choosing creekside sites like 2, 3, or 4 for better privacy and quieter experiences. "Site #3 is a double site which explains the higher cost." "Site 2 is much better."

Based on 53 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight creekside enjoyment and family-friendly activities. Winter reviews occasionally mention closed campgrounds but positive hiking experiences nearby.

Based on 53 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Bathrooms were immaculately clean without odors." "If you don't mind occasional traffic this is a great place to camp in." "Kids had fun." "Creekside lounging much cooler and less smoke than Boise...

Based on 53 reviews

Accessibility Features

Vault toilets and paved parking enhance accessibility, but no further features are noted.

Based on 53 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are generally welcomed, with reviewers mentioning enjoyable experiences exploring the area with dogs. "Paths up the mountain were fun to explore with my kids and dog."

Based on 53 reviews

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Bad Bear Campground

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC-DOUBLE: $40.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $20.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-392-6681matthew.nance@usda.gov

Go if

You want a quiet creekside spot near Idaho City with good fishing and well-maintained vault toilets.

Skip if

You're bringing a large trailer or need distance from highway noise.

Nearby Campgrounds

HIGHWAY 21, IDAHO CITY, ID 83706, USA

Hayfork Group Campground sits in mid-elevation Ponderosa forest along Mores Creek in Boise National Forest, managed by the Idaho City Ranger District. This small group-focused site offers vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings for organized gatherings near Idaho City. Campers fish the creek, watch for wildlife, and explore surrounding ridgelines during the summer operating season.

Bad Bear Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Bad Bear Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Bad Bear Campground

Best Time to Camp at Bad Bear Campground

Planning Tips

About Bad Bear Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Bad Bear Campground?

Amenities available

RV details

Things to do at Bad Bear Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

How campers graded it

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Overview

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Best Time to Camp at Bad Bear Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

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Need help booking Bad Bear Campground?

Amenities available

Things to do at Bad Bear Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns