Garden Creek Campground

Star0
5 reviews
721 East Main St Suite 8, Challis, ID, USA
Peace & Quiet

Quick Facts

6,824 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Bureau of Land Management Challis Field Office 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
Garden Creek Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Garden Creek Campground is a free camping site. There are no fees for camping or use.
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

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
208-879-6200BLM_ID_ChallisOffice@blm.gov
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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

4 Google reviews

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Campground Map

721 East Main St Suite 8, Challis, ID, USA

Garden Creek Campground

721 East Main St Suite 8, Challis, ID, USA

Driving directionsLocated on the Big Lost River at the border of the Challis National Forest approximately 60 miles from Arco; 13.7 miles west of Highway 93 on Trail Creek Road. From Arco, go northwest 43 miles on US 93, then west 13.7 miles on Trail Creek Road.
Trail Creek Road is unpaved for 13.7 miles west of Highway 93. Limited cell service may make navigation challenging. Seasonal closures may occur, especially during winter months.
Nearby places
- Arco: 60 miles, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes drive - Challis: Approximately 15 miles north on ID-93
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies, including groceries and camping provisions, can be found in Challis, ID.

Best Time to Camp at Garden Creek Campground

Garden Creek transforms with the seasons, each offering its own unique charm. Winter blankets the campground in a pristine layer of snow, with crisp, frigid air and gentle snowfall creating a serene wonderland—though camping during these months requires serious cold-weather preparation. As summer arrives, the campground awakens under warm, dry skies that create perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. The reliable sunshine and comfortable temperatures make summer the prime season for camping, when the aspens shimmer in the breeze and the river runs clear and inviting.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season for hiking and outdoor access; pleasant mountain/aspen setting.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 3% in ID

Golden aspens in fall make this season especially scenic and appealing.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Should offer thawing scenery and hiking, but spring runoff/ muddy access may limit comfort.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Snow blankets the site but road/accessibility issues and no winter services reduce appeal.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season is likely summer months when weather is conducive for hiking and outdoor activities.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round, barring seasonal road accessibility issues.

About Garden Creek Campground

Tucked away in a whispering aspen grove along the banks of the scenic Big Lost River, Garden Creek Campground offers an authentic wilderness escape. This intimate hideaway features five primitive campsites where adventurers can disconnect from the digital world—with no potable water and limited cell service, you'll find yourself truly immersed in nature's embrace. These first-come, first-served sites provide the perfect basecamp for those seeking solitude and simplicity in the great outdoors.
Garden Creek Campground offers primitive camping in a scenic aspen grove along the Big Lost River. It is suited for campers looking for a rustic and natural experience.
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Stay Limit
Stay Limit: 14 days


Activities you can enjoy

Activities include hiking and wildlife viewing. The Deep Creek Trailhead, located 3.5 miles south at the border of the Challis National Forest, offers additional hiking opportunities. About 15 miles north on ID-93, visitors can access the Whiskey Springs Wildlife Viewing Area for observing waterfowl.
Hiking"Scenic hiking opportunities" are available at the campground. The Deep Creek Trailhead, 3.5 miles away, provides further hiking options.
Wildlife viewingVisitors can engage in "nature viewing opportunities" along the Big Lost River. Approximately 15 miles away, the Whiskey Springs Wildlife Viewing Area offers waterfowl observation in the Chilly Slough Wetlands.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include limited cell service and no potable water. Wildlife such as bears may be present.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Garden Creek Campground

Reviews

0.0
5 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Garden Creek Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
There are no user reviews available for the Garden Creek Campground.
Review Summaries
Based on 5 reviews

What Campers Love

No user reviews are available to highlight positive aspects of this campground.
Based on 5 reviews

Common Concerns

As there are no user reviews, no common complaints have been raised.
Based on 5 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No tips or recommendations have been provided by users.
Based on 5 reviews

Seasonal Insights

There are no user reviews to determine seasonal trends.
Based on 5 reviews

Camper Quotes

No direct quotes from users are available.
Based on 5 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

There are no user-provided reviews for specific sites within the campground.
Based on 5 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews addressing accessibility features or experiences are available.
Based on 5 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews discussing pet policies or pet-related experiences are available.
Based on 5 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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