How much does camping cost at Mill Canyon Campground?

Camping fees at Mill Canyon Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Mill Canyon Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Mill Canyon Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground operates exclusively on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the best time to visit Mill Canyon Campground?

Mill Canyon Campground is open After Season: Open, first-come/first-served; no fee, no toilets, no water. Closes with snow. 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 Mill Canyon Campground?

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

How many campsites does Mill Canyon Campground have?

Mill Canyon Campground has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Mill Canyon Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Mill Canyon Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Mill Canyon Campground?

Mill Canyon Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Mill Canyon Campground?

Popular activities at Mill Canyon Campground include Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Mill Canyon Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Mill Canyon Campground?

Fire policies at Mill Canyon Campground: Campfires are permitted in designated rings. Visitors must ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

2.71

7 reviews

410 Hooper Ave, Soda Springs, ID 83276

Peace & Quiet

Featured in:Tent Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

6,400 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

10 campsites

Season

After Season: Open, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,400 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

10 campsites

Season

After Season: Open, ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Mill Canyon Campground

$0.00 - $8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The campground charges $8 per night during the main season (Late May to Early September), and there is no fee after the season ends. During the...

Standard Site Fee$8.00

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USFS

Provider

(208) 547-4356

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

410 Hooper Ave, Soda Springs, ID 83276

Mill Canyon Campground

410 Hooper Ave, Soda Springs, ID 83276

Nearby places

Soda Springs (26 miles / approximately 40 minutes drive)

Nearby supplies

Groceries, camping supplies, and fuel are available in Soda Springs, ID, 26 miles away. Additionally, an RV waste station with potable water is located in Soda Springs on US Rt. 30 at the intersection of 2nd South and 2nd East.

Weather at Mill Canyon Campground

Best Time to Camp at Mill Canyon Campground

Summer delivers the most comfortable conditions, with daytime highs in the 60s to high 70s°F and mornings in the 40s to 50s°F. The elevation keeps temperatures about 15 degrees cooler than Pocatello. One reviewer called it a great mid-summer getaway for exactly this reason. July and August see the highest visitor numbers, though "busy" here still means quiet evenings. Aspens turn gold in fall. Winter snow closes the campground completely until spring melt.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is most comfortable: highs in 60s–70s, campground open and amenities available seasonally.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: After Season: Open, first-come/first-served; no fee, no toilets, no water. Closes with snow

About Mill Canyon Campground

Mill Canyon Campground offers ten first-come, first-served sites along the Blackfoot River in southeastern Idaho's Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The remote location delivers genuine solitude. During the 2017 eclipse, one camper paid $8 per night and had the entire campground to themselves. Cell service doesn't reach here, and the sites can accommodate tents and small trailers.

The campground is primarily designed for tent and small trailer camping with a total of 10 single-family sites. It operates on a first-come, first-served basis and does not accept reservations.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most comfortable conditions, with daytime highs in the 60s to high 70s°F and mornings in the 40s to 50s°F. The elevation keeps temperatures about 15 degrees cooler than Pocatello. One reviewer called it a great mid-summer getaway for exactly this reason. July and August see the highest visitor numbers, though "busy" here still means quiet evenings. Aspens turn gold in fall. Winter snow closes the campground completely until spring melt.

ElevationPerched at 6,400 feet above sea level, Mill Canyon occupies that sweet spot where the air stays refreshingly cool even during summer's peak. This elevation creates a unique microclimate that nurtures wildflower meadows and provides welcome relief from lower-altitude heat. The thin mountain air carries the scent of pine resin and wild herbs, while nighttime temperatures drop just enough to make campfire gathering a cherished evening ritual.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Blackfoot River flows past the campground at 6,400 feet elevation, where ponderosa pines and aspens provide shade over the ten sites. Rocky Mountain forest ecology defines the landscape. River valleys carved through pine-covered ridges, with wildflowers appearing in forest clearings during summer. The setting runs cooler than the valleys below, a natural consequence of elevation and tree cover. Deer pass through regularly, and elk graze near the sites at dawn.

Geological RegionMill Canyon lies within the vast Caribou-Targhee National Forest, specifically in the diverse landscapes of the Montpelier Ranger District. This corner of southeastern Idaho showcases classic Rocky Mountain forest ecology, where ancient geological forces have carved river valleys through pine-covered ridges. The Blackfoot River, flowing gently past the campground, has spent millennia shaping this landscape, creating the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures while remaining wonderfully undiscovered by the masses.

Scenic ViewsCampers can enjoy views of the Blackfoot River, the surrounding forested landscape, and nearby rugged hills.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations such as cabins or lodges are available.

Programs & ActivitiesNo details about cultural or educational programs were mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive days.

Groups

Group camping is not supported at this campground.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSites sit along gravel roads with gravel parking spurs. Each has a picnic table and fire ring. Some campers note the sites have grown over and feel overgrown, though this contributes to the privacy between spots.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground operates exclusively on a first-come, first-served basis.

Site SizeSites are intended for single-family use and can accommodate tents and small trailers.

PrivacyDescribed as quiet and offering lots of solitude and privacy due to the campground's remote location.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Amenities available

Mill Canyon Campground offers basic facilities for campers seeking a serene and quiet escape. The campground features 10 single-family sites, each equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. Vault toilets are available, but there is no drinking water, and campers must bring their own. Trash must also be packed out as no garbage service is provided.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Mill Canyon Campground offers a mix of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. The Blackfoot River provides opportunities for fishing, while trails for hiking and horseback riding are accessible nearby.

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsFlying insects during summer months can be bothersome; visitors are advised to bring insect repellent. Lack of potable water requires campers to bring their own supply.

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

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this site.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted in designated rings. Visitors must ensure they are fully extinguished before leaving.

Emergency ServicesThe Soda Springs District Office is located at 410 Hooper Ave, Soda Springs, ID 83276, approximately 26 miles away. Phone: (208) 547-4356

Trash & RecyclingCampers must pack out all trash as no garbage service exists.

Water FeaturesThe campground is adjacent to the Blackfoot River, which is suitable for fishing and provides a scenic backdrop.

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

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

2.7

7 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Mill Canyon Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews largely praise the solitude and natural beauty of the campground, though some note the overgrown nature of campsites and the prevalence of bugs.

Review Summaries

Based on 7 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users appreciate the quiet and remote location. For example, one review states, 'Had a great time camping here for the Great American Eclipse. At $8 a night I was shocked we were the only ones...

Based on 7 reviews

Common Concerns

Some reviewers mentioned the overgrown condition of campsites and the presence of bugs: 'Camp spots are pretty overgrown, but the bathroom was well maintained,' and 'The creek through the campground...

Based on 7 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

User reviews do not mention specific site numbers within the campground.

Based on 7 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing insect repellent due to the prevalence of bugs and carrying enough water as none is available on-site. One user suggests: 'Just be sure to bring your OFF and you'll be...

Based on 7 reviews

Seasonal Insights

During the peak season (late May to early September), the campground offers basic facilities at $8 per night. Outside this season, it remains open but without fees or toilets, and closes entirely...

Based on 7 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'At $8 a night I was shocked we were the only ones there. Perfect but bring your own water.' - Rita Schmid 2. 'It was 15 degrees cooler at Mill Canyon than in Pocatello. Great mid-summer getaway!'...

Based on 7 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically address accessibility features.

Based on 7 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically mention pets or pet-related policies.

Based on 7 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Anglers chasing cutthroat and rainbow trout on the Blackfoot River, or anyone escaping summer heat: the elevation runs 15 degrees cooler than Pocatello, and even mid-July stays genuinely quiet.

Skip if

No water on-site means hauling everything from Soda Springs, 26 miles out. Paired with overgrown sites and heavy flying insects, this trip demands preparation. Comfort campers will be miserable.

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Gravel Creek Campground

null

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Johnson Guard Station sits in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Soda Springs, a renovated Forest Service cabin available for rent in the mid-elevation backcountry. The cabin features propane lights, a gas stove, and vault toilet, serving as a base for hiking, mountain biking, and fishing the high-country streams of the Dry Ridge and Webster subranges. Summer brings wildflower meadows and stable trail access, while winter opens snowmobiling routes.

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Pine Bar Campground, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Tincup Creek, nine miles east of Freedom, Idaho

Pine Bar Campground sits at 6,400 feet in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest's Montpelier Ranger District, offering six sites (five single-family, one double-family) tucked along Tincup Creek. This small, first-come, first-served campground appeals to campers seeking seclusion and a genuinely rustic experience in the Bear River Range.

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Campgrounds

Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Mill Canyon Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Mill Canyon Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

<p>Mill Canyon Campground has 10 single units. It's near Blackfoot River. It does have restrooms. </p><p>$8 Fee; Closes with Snow</p>

About the campground

The elevation is 6,700 ft. This little campground stretches up Mill Canyon between a babbling brook called Mill Creek and a dense stand of Lodgepole pines. This is a quiet campground far from crowds with lots of solitude and privacy. The Blackfoot River is across from campground entrance. The understory and middlestory is comprised of grass, wild roses and other wildflowers, and River willow shrubs.

Seasons & access

Services provide Memorial Day weekend through October 15.

RV information

The parking aprons are gravel and grass. An RV waste station with potable water is available in Soda Springs, ID. On US Rt. 30 at intersection of 2nd South and 2nd East, take 2nd East north to waste station on right

Directions

From Soda Springs, ID, take State Rt. 34 north 10.2 miles to Black River Park sign. Turn right at sign and go 10.4 miles to an intersection. Continue straight over railroad tracks and go 3.2 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign and go 0.2 miles to campground. NOTE: Last 2.7 miles are gravel surface.

National Forest: Caribou National Forest
Ranger District: Soda Springs
Elevation: 6700
Rate: $8 per day
Maximum Stay: 14
Open Season: May