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Anglers, hikers, and wildlife watchers who can show up mid-week in summer will find this hard to beat: trout in the creek, elk and moose at the meadow edges, and trailheads into the Frank Church just up the road, all for $0 a night.
Price
Free
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Mid-May - Mid-Septem...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
Free
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Mid-May - Mid-Septem...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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44.8894, -115.4988
Anglers, hikers, and wildlife watchers who can show up mid-week in summer will find this hard to beat: trout in the creek, elk and moose at the meadow edges, and trailheads into the Frank Church just up the road, all for $0 a night.
No potable water on-site means hauling your own supply, and the dirt road access plus first-come-first-served policy makes weekend planning a gamble, especially for anyone who needs a guaranteed spot.
Reference information about Ice Hole Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>The Ice Hole Campground<strong> </strong>offers 10 campsites in a peaceful, remote setting near mountain slopes covered in dense pine forest. Peak season for the campground is typically early June through late September. It can be accessed by most vehicles; however the road is narrow and may be rough in spots.</p><p><strong>Natural Features:</strong></p><p>The campground sits in a pretty mountain meadow a stone's throw from scenic Johnson Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Salmon River. Wildlife watchers may see deer, elk, bear and moose. Bald eagles are often spotted soaring overhead.</p><p><strong>Recreation:</strong></p><p>The campground is near several trailheads into the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. Check on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for non-motorized and motorized trails. The area is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. <br /><br />The South Fork Salmon River and Johnson Creek offer opportunities for fishing. Berry picking and hunting are popular pastimes in season.</p><p><strong>Nearby Attractions:</strong></p><p>The tiny community of Yellow Pine is just north of the campground and offers limited services. The popular Yellow Pine Music & Harmonica Festival is held annually in August.</p>
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Summer runs June through September with daytime highs in the 70s to mid-80s°F and nights dropping to the mid-30s to 50s°F. This is prime time for fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching. Access is most reliable then. Fall brings frost and the possibility of early snow. Winter means freezing temps and snow accumulation. Doable but demanding. Spring sees wildflowers as snowmelt recedes, though roads may stay soft into late May.
Prime season (Jun-Sep) with warm days, abundant activities and high visitor demand.
Ice Hole Campground offers basic yet functional amenities, catering primarily to campers seeking a remote and natural experience. Each campsite includes a fire ring, grill, and picnic table, as mentioned in the authoritative description. "Great campground. Newly renovated in 2019," noted user Ryan Fish, further describing the fire pits as having built-in grills, stands for camping stoves, and large parking spots for trailers. Vault toilets are available at the campground, but potable water is explicitly stated as not being available.
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