Calamity

Star4.46
200 reviews
TARGHEE
Summer Destination
Featured in:Tent Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

45 campsites

Season

Open May 23 - Septem...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Aud & Di Campground Services site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Calamity
$20.00 - $20.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Peak season rates are $20/night for standard non-electric sites. Fees do not include taxes, discounts, or incremental charges. An additional $8 fee...
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Standard Site Fee$20.00
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

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Provider
208-270-0150 OR 541-351-1182
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What Campers Say

4.46

Recommended

Based on 200 reviews

140 Google reviews

Most mentioned

sceneryprivacysites

"User reviews highlight the campground's scenic beauty, proximity to Palisades Reservoir, and a wide range of outdoor activities. However, common complaints include maintenance issues, such as unclean toilets, and occasional noise disturbances from other campers."

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Campground Map

TARGHEE

Calamity

TARGHEE

Driving directionsFrom Idaho Falls, Idaho, travel on Hwy. 26 for approximately 50 miles. Turn right off of Hwy. 26, (just before ascending grade to the top of the dam) and go ¼ mile, turn right and cross the river following signs to the campground. Distance is approximately 5 miles.
"The campground is accessible via 4 miles of graded road. User reviews suggest, 'The 4 miles of graded road rattles a few things around, but otherwise no problem. It keeps the place a little out of the way for most and that's just the way I like it.'"
Nearby places
Idaho Falls - 55 miles (approximately 1 hour drive)
Swan Valley - null
Jackson Hole - null.
Nearby supplies
Includes firewood available for purchase from campground hosts. Swan Valley offers nearby markets (like a 'beer cave') for additional supplies, but precise distances or details are missing.

Best Time to Camp at Calamity

Summer transforms Calamity into a mountain paradise, with July and August bringing ideal conditions for camping and water recreation. The reservoir's refreshing 62°F waters offer a perfect respite from warm afternoons. While the peak season attracts its share of mosquitoes—a testament to the area's thriving ecosystem—savvy campers come prepared and find the minor inconvenience far outweighed by the spectacular setting and endless outdoor opportunities.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sept; summer offers ideal boating, swimming (~62°F), hiking and high review praise.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open into early September; fall foliage possible but limited window before season end.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens late May; late-spring conditions cooler with higher bugs and fewer services early in season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 23–Sept 6; not a winter destination.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 23, 2025 - September 6, 2025 (Peak Season).. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 23 - September 6. Reservations available June 24 to September 6.
  • Current Alerts: No active alerts are specified.

About Calamity

Perched at the northern gateway to the magnificent Palisades Reservoir, Calamity Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its three thoughtfully designed camping loops. Each loop offers its own character, from intimate, secluded sites tucked among the trees to more open areas perfect for gathering with friends and family. This scenic mountain retreat provides the perfect basecamp for adventures both on the water and in the surrounding wilderness.
Calamity Campground provides a range of camping options across its three loops, accommodating both tent and RV campers. Some loops are entirely dedicated to specific types of camping, such as Loop C being tent-only.
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Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in begins at 2:00 p.m.
Check-out
Check-out ends at 12:00 p.m.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

This campground offers a variety of outdoor activities, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers. Recreation options include boating, water skiing, canoeing, fishing, swimming, hiking, and biking. Wildlife viewing is also a notable highlight. 'Palisades Reservoir offers excellent boating, water skiing, swimming, and canoeing. Lake and shore fishing are very popular here, with wild and stocked cutthroat trout as the predominant species.' (Authoritative Source).
HikingThe Palisades Creek Trail, located nearby, is a key attraction for hikers. The trail leads to Upper Palisades Lake and offers expansive views of Swan Valley. Another local trail, Big Elk Creek Trail, is accessible from the nearby Big Elk Campground and provides opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing.
FishingFishing is a highly popular activity at Palisades Reservoir and the Snake River. The lake features wild and stocked cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, brown trout, and Mackinaw trout. In the words of one user: 'Our grandkids caught their limit fishing and we saw a bald eagle sweep down and catch a fish.' (User: Brad McBride).
SwimmingSwimming is available in Palisades Reservoir. However, one user mentioned that the water temperature in early July was about 62°F, so be prepared for cooler water. 'The hotter the day, the better the water feels.' (User: Heather S).
BikingMountain biking opportunities are available on the Palisades Creek Trail and Big Elk Creek Trail. These trails are shared with hikers and horseback riders.
BoatingThe campground features a boat ramp and large parking area for boating activities. Palisades Reservoir is ideal for water skiing, tubing, and canoeing. As one reviewer noted: 'The reservoir is huge, and we had plenty of space for surfing and tubing. Beautiful scenery.' (User: Amy Lucas).
Wildlife viewingOpportunities for wildlife viewing include spotting bald eagles and other local species. 'We saw a bald eagle sweep down and catch a fish.' (User: Brad McBride).
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes are commonly reported as a nuisance. Reservoir areas are rocky and may present challenges for swimmers. Hosts enforce rules but some user reviews complain of poor handling of reservations.
Active AlertsNo active alerts are specified.
Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food storage lockers are present on some sites, particularly those in Loop C.

Weather at Calamity

Reviews

4.5
200 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Calamity is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground's scenic beauty, proximity to Palisades Reservoir, and a wide range of outdoor activities. However, common complaints include maintenance issues, such as unclean toilets, and occasional noise disturbances from other campers.
Review Summaries
Based on 200 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users praised the beautiful scenery, excellent fishing opportunities, and the variety of activities available. One user described it as 'a great hidden gem of a campground' (User: Kyle...
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Based on 200 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include unclean toilets, crowded conditions during peak times, and lack of enforcement of quiet hours. 'Extremely loud and busy campground over the weekend during the summer.' (User: Katy...
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Based on 200 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring mosquito repellent, as mosquitoes can be a significant problem. If tent camping, choose Loop C as it is more suitable for tents. For boating, arrive early as the boat ramp can get crowded.
Based on 200 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busier during summer weekends, and some facilities, such as toilets, may suffer from overcrowding and delayed maintenance. Mosquito activity is higher in warmer months.
Based on 200 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Calamity is misnamed. Should have been beautifully serene or slice of paradise.' (User: Laurie Soliday). 2. 'This will be the place we go for many years to come.' (User: Amanda Godfrey).
Based on 200 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

1. Site C1: 'Tiny, barely any space from fire pit to tent.' (User: Aaron Clayson). 2. Site A5: 'Room for two medium tents.' (User: Amy Lucas). 3. Site B8: 'Close to bathroom, campfire site down...
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Based on 200 reviews

Accessibility Features

Users noted accessibility challenges with some sites requiring stairs: 'You have to walk down stairs from where you park.' (User: REGGIE S).
Based on 200 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific information about pet-related policies or experiences was provided.
Based on 200 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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