Canyon Creek Campground

4.57

9 reviews

: null

Quick Facts

4,000 ft

Price

$20 - $35/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

This area is accessi...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Emmett Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,000 ft

Price

$20 - $35/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

This area is accessi...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Emmett Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Canyon Creek Campground

$20.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

"This campground is on a first come, first serve basis. Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance. Please bring cash or...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

USFS

Provider

nullnull

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.57

Top-Rated

Based on 9 reviews

7 Google reviews

"User reviews highlight the scenic view of the river and the engaging campground host. However, there is limited data on additional user feedback."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

: null

Canyon Creek Campground

: null

Driving directions"From Boise, Idaho travel north along State Highway 55 for approximately 38 miles to Banks, Idaho. From Banks, continue north along State Highway 55 for approximately 12 miles to the campground sign."

This campground is located just off State Highway 55, making it accessible via paved roads. Seasonal closures due to snow levels may occur, as described in the general information section.

Nearby places

Banks (12 miles, approx. 15 minutes)

Nearby supplies

null

Best Time to Camp at Canyon Creek Campground

Summer transforms Canyon Creek into an outdoor paradise, with golden days stretching long and warm between 80-90 degrees—perfect for river adventures and trail explorations. As evening approaches, the mountain air brings a refreshing coolness that makes for comfortable sleeping under star-filled skies. The contrast between sun-soaked days and crisp nights creates that quintessential mountain camping experience that keeps visitors returning year after year. While winter blankets the canyon in snow and ice, creating a dramatically different landscape, the prime camping season runs through the warm, dry summer months when the river runs high and the forest hums with life.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer described as ideal (80–90°F) for river adventures and trail exploration.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Open into October; pleasant fall conditions but shorter season and variable access.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Season opens around Apr 20; early spring may still have snow and variable access.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Seasonal access limited by snow; area generally closed/unavailable in winter months.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: This area is accessible for a season that varies between April 20 and October 20 due to snow levels, with higher usage between mid-May and the end of September.
Current Alerts: null

About Canyon Creek Campground

Nestled in the heart of Idaho's rugged wilderness, Canyon Creek Campground offers an authentic mountain escape just 12 miles north of Banks along the scenic State Highway 55. At 4,000 feet elevation, this riverside retreat puts you right at the doorstep of adventure, with the rushing waters of the North Fork Payette River beckoning whitewater enthusiasts to test their skills against its legendary rapids. Whether you're seeking the thrill of navigating Class III and IV rapids or simply want to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of flowing water, Canyon Creek serves as your perfect basecamp for exploring this untamed corner of the Gem State.

Canyon Creek Campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis with 6 campsites. It is designed for campers looking for a natural, rustic experience.

Historical Significancenull

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms Canyon Creek into an outdoor paradise, with golden days stretching long and warm between 80-90 degrees—perfect for river adventures and trail explorations. As evening approaches, the mountain air brings a refreshing coolness that makes for comfortable sleeping under star-filled skies. The contrast between sun-soaked days and crisp nights creates that quintessential mountain camping experience that keeps visitors returning year after year. While winter blankets the canyon in snow and ice, creating a dramatically different landscape, the prime camping season runs through the warm, dry summer months when the river runs high and the forest hums with life.

ElevationPerched at 4,000 feet above sea level, Canyon Creek Campground offers that sweet spot of mountain camping—high enough to escape the valley heat, yet accessible enough for comfortable camping. This elevation brings delightfully cool nights that provide welcome relief after sun-drenched days of adventure, with temperatures dropping just enough to make your sleeping bag feel like a cozy refuge. The mountain air at this altitude carries the fresh scent of pine and the promise of spectacular stargazing once darkness falls.

Natural Features and SceneryCanyon Creek Campground unfolds within a breathtaking canyon carved by time and water, where towering Ponderosa pines and slender lodgepole pines create a natural cathedral of green. The mixed forest provides generous shade throughout most campsites, offering cool refuges during warm summer afternoons. From your campsite, you'll glimpse the dramatic canyon walls rising above Highway 55, while the constant melody of the nearby river creates nature's own soundtrack. This diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife, and early risers might spot deer browsing in the morning mist or hear the distinctive call of mountain birds echoing through the canyon.

Geological RegionSet within the majestic Boise National Forest, Canyon Creek Campground occupies a spectacular canyon that showcases millions of years of geological artistry. The North Fork Payette River has sculpted this dramatic landscape, creating steep canyon walls that frame your camping experience with raw natural beauty. The surrounding mountains, cloaked in dense forests of Ponderosa and lodgepole pines, represent the classic Idaho wilderness—rugged, pristine, and endlessly photogenic. This unique setting places you at the intersection of river and forest ecosystems, where the powerful forces of water and stone have created one of Idaho's most scenic camping destinations.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

Null

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

No designated group camping areas are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutnull

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilityNo reservations necessary. This campground is on a first come, first serve basis.

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityThere is no information provided about accessible options for individuals with disabilities.

Site SizeNo detailed information about the size of individual campsites is provided.

PrivacyNo specific information about privacy levels at campsites is mentioned.

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended Sitesnull

Activities you can enjoy

Canyon Creek Campground offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities centered around its natural features, including proximity to the North Fork Payette River. Common activities include whitewater rafting, kayaking, scenic driving, fishing, and picnicking.

Fishing"Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout" in the North Fork Payette River that runs near the campground.

BoatingThe campground is close to the North Fork Payette River, which supports non-motorized boating activities such as whitewater rafting and kayaking. The annual 'Payette Whitewater Roundup' is held in July along different river sections.

Winter Activities

Water Sports