South Fork Salmon River Campground

Star4.82
26 reviews
South Fork Salmon River Campground, Cascade, Idaho
Peace & Quiet

Quick Facts

5,400 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open mid-May to mid-...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Boise National Forest site

Official Website
Get Directions
South Fork Salmon River Campground
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The campsite fee is $15 per night, with all sites priced the same.
Standard Site Fee$15.00
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
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.82

Top-Rated

Based on 26 reviews

21 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacycleanhikingwell-maintained

Some mention

noise

"Overall, users are highly satisfied with South Fork Salmon River Campground for its quiet atmosphere, spacious sites, proximity to the river, and wildlife viewing opportunities. However, some users mention traffic noise from Warm Lake Road and the lack of certain facilities."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

South Fork Salmon River Campground, Cascade, Idaho

South Fork Salmon River Campground

South Fork Salmon River Campground, Cascade, Idaho

Driving directionsFrom Boise, Idaho, travel approximately 80 miles north on State Highway 55 to Cascade, Idaho. From Cascade, Idaho, travel 1 mile north on State Highway 55 to the Forest Highway 22 (Warm Lake Highway) turnoff. Turn east and travel approximately 24 miles to the southern intersection of Forest Service Road 579 and 474. Turn right on Forest Service Road 474 to access the South Fork Salmon River Campground. Alternatively, from Cascade, at the intersection of Main St. (State Rt. 55) and Warm Lake Rd., take Warm Lake Rd. east 23 miles to the campground sign. Turn right at the sign onto a dirt single-lane road and go 0.1 miles to the campground.
Access is easy with a paved road all the way to the campground, but the final 0.1-mile stretch to the campground is a dirt single-lane road.
Nearby places
Cascade, Idaho (24 miles, approximately 45 minutes)
Boise, Idaho (104 miles, approximately 2 hours).
Nearby supplies
The nearest location for groceries, camping supplies, and fuel is Cascade, Idaho, approximately 24 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at South Fork Salmon River Campground

From mid-May through mid-September, the campground awakens to welcome adventurers seeking the perfect mountain summer. Sun-drenched days invite exploration and outdoor play, while crisp mountain evenings call for campfire stories and stargazing under pristine skies. The reliable summer weather creates ideal conditions for everything from morning hikes to afternoon swimming, with temperatures that remind you why mountain camping is such a treasured escape from valley heat.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5
Top 23% in ID

Peak season mid-May to mid-Sept; summer popular for fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

September offers chinook salmon viewing and quieter conditions after peak summer.

Spring(Mar-May)
2.5 / 5

Season begins mid-May; early spring access limited and the campground is mostly closed until then.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside mid-May to mid-September; winter camping not available.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Mid-May to mid-September.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open mid-May to mid-September; typically available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

About South Fork Salmon River Campground

Nestled within a majestic old-growth ponderosa pine forest, South Fork Salmon River Campground offers 11 intimate campsites where the whisper of ancient trees mingles with the gentle murmur of the South Fork Salmon River. This serene mountain retreat invites you to disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself in nature's timeless rhythms. Whether you're casting a line into crystal-clear waters, exploring forest trails, or simply watching wildlife pass through camp, this peaceful sanctuary promises memories that will last long after your tent is packed away.
South Fork Salmon River Campground supports various camping styles, including tent and combined tent/RV sites. It is not equipped for RV hookups or glamping.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Not specified
Check-out
Not specified
Stay Limit
14 days

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities abound at South Fork Salmon River Campground. Visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and fishing. Seasonal attractions include chinook salmon spawning in September. Warm Lake nearby supports swimming, boating, and additional hiking opportunities.
HikingHiking trails such as the WeWuKiye Trail No. 252 and Telephone Ridge Trail No. 112 offer varied experiences ranging from mountain biking to off-road vehicle riding. Trails are accessible from nearby Shoreline Campground.
FishingFishing opportunities include cutthroat, rainbow, lake, and bull trout at Warm Lake. River fishing includes chinook salmon during their spawning run, though restrictions apply during some periods.
SwimmingSwimming is available at Billy Rice Swim Beach located at Warm Lake Lodge. The beach also offers day-use areas for picnicking.
BikingMountain biking is highly recommended on the WeWuKiye Trail No. 252, accessed via Shoreline Campground.
BoatingBoating and canoeing can be done at Warm Lake, with a ramp available at Shoreline Campground.
Wildlife viewingWildlife is abundant in the area, including bears, deer, elk, fox, grouse, eagles, osprey, grosbeaks, whooping cranes, and otters. A fish viewing site for chinook salmon is available during their September spawning season.
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThis is bear country. Food storage regulations must be followed. Noise from Warm Lake Road may be audible throughout the campground.

Weather at South Fork Salmon River Campground

Reviews

4.8
26 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
South Fork Salmon River Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Overall, users are highly satisfied with South Fork Salmon River Campground for its quiet atmosphere, spacious sites, proximity to the river, and wildlife viewing opportunities. However, some users mention traffic noise from Warm Lake Road and the lack of certain facilities.
Review Summaries
Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the campground's cleanliness, privacy, and proximity to the South Fork Salmon River. Highlights include well-maintained vault toilets, sandy parking aprons, and excellent fishing and...
Show more
Based on 26 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include traffic noise from Warm Lake Road and the absence of certain amenities such as showers and RV hookups.
Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend arriving early as the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. They also suggest visiting during chinook salmon spawning season for a unique experience.
Based on 26 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Users note increased demand during holidays like Labor Day weekend. Summer is popular for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing, while September offers chinook salmon viewing.
Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

'The campgrounds were very nice. There was a lot of space in between other sites.' - Zach 'Proximity to the river is the best part of this campground.' - N A 'We drove through this small campground...
Show more
Based on 26 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Certain sites closer to the river are noted for their privacy, while larger sites are suitable for RVs up to 30 ft.
Based on 26 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are limited; no comments regarding ADA compliance.
Based on 26 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash, as per official guidelines.
Based on 26 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to South Fork Salmon River Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Idaho

Campgrounds
Boise National Forest
South Fork Salmon River Campground