Is Bad Medicine Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Bad Medicine Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

What is the best time to visit Bad Medicine Campground?

Bad Medicine Campground is open Open from May 23, 2025 through September 30, 2025.. 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 Bad Medicine Campground?

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

How many campsites does Bad Medicine Campground have?

Bad Medicine Campground has 18 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Bad Medicine Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Bad Medicine Campground?

Bad Medicine Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bad Medicine Campground?

Popular activities at Bad Medicine Campground include Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bad Medicine Campground

4.07

57 reviews

Top 22% in IDSummer

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Idaho

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

2,344 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Open from May 23, 20...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

2,344 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Open from May 23, 20...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on null Official Website

Get Directions

Bad Medicine Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Bad Medicine Campground

48.1543, -115.8695

Weather at Bad Medicine Campground

Best Time to Camp at Bad Medicine Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full services at Bad Medicine Campground, with warm, dry days (typically 70–85°F) and cool nights (40s–50s) ideal for boating, swimming, and fishing on Bull Lake. Water recreation is at its peak, the paved access and potable water are available, and trails/boat ramps are fully accessible. Expect moderate crowds on summer weekends, so plan midweek visits for quieter campsites. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in ID

Peak season for boating, fishing and best weather; reviews highlight summer use.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open from May 23, 2025 through September 30, 2025.

About Bad Medicine Campground

Bad Medicine Campground sits on the shore of Bull Lake in the Kootenai National Forest foothills of northern Idaho. This small campground offers paved access, a developed boat ramp, and well-maintained facilities including vault toilets and potable water. Campers come for fishing and boating on the lake, with tent and RV sites available for stays up to 16 days.

Bad Medicine Campground offers standard camping options tailored to both tent and RV campers. All sites are paved and include basic camping facilities.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full services at Bad Medicine Campground, with warm, dry days (typically 70–85°F) and cool nights (40s–50s) ideal for boating, swimming, and fishing on Bull Lake. Water recreation is at its peak, the paved access and potable water are available, and trails/boat ramps are fully accessible. Expect moderate crowds on summer weekends, so plan midweek visits for quieter campsites. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation2344 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a basin carved by glaciers during the last ice age, surrounded by mature pines that create a shaded canopy. Bull Lake stretches north from the campground's shoreline, where osprey hunt for fish and deer appear at dusk. The exposed rock formations in the area span millions of years of geological history. Wildflowers emerge seasonally in the understory, and the forest supports a mix of squirrels, birds, and less visible wildlife deeper in the woods.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no hotel-style lodge or formal accommodations at this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

16 day limit

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation Platformsnull

Site SizeCampsites have an average length of 32 feet.

PrivacyPrivacy levels for individual campsites are not explicitly stated.

Total Campsites18 campsites

Recommended SitesSome sites closer to Bull Lake offer lake access and better views.

Best Campsitesnull

Amenities available

Bad Medicine Campground is a small, paved campground located on the southern end of Bull Lake in the Kootenai National Forest, Montana. It offers 18 total campsites, including one host site, with both camping and day-use facilities. Amenities include potable water, vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Several day-use picnic sites near the boat ramp are equipped with tables and fire rings. The campground roads and campsite parking spurs are paved. A security gate is in place, opening daily at 7:00 am and closing at 10:00 pm.

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational activities at Bad Medicine Campground include fishing, boating, and day use at the picnic area. The fully developed boat ramp and dock provide convenient access to Bull Lake, making it a popular spot for water-based activities. There are no detailed mentions of guided programs or other specific recreational infrastructures.

Fishing

Boating

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Food Storage RequiredBear-resistant food storage lockers are available, and their use is encouraged due to local wildlife activity.

Trip Planning Tools

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.1

57 reviews

Satisfactory

Bad Medicine Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is generally praised for its cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. Visitors have noted some issues with inconsistent host behavior and site privacy.

Review Summaries

Based on 57 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean vault toilets, well-maintained facilities, paved roads, and spurs. The presence of a fully developed boat ramp is appreciated by many.

Based on 57 reviews

Common Concerns

Some users have noted inconsistent enforcement of rules by the campground host. Privacy between sites and views of the lake are not ideal due to tree cover.

Based on 57 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites are paved with an average length of 32 feet. Some reviewers found the lack of lake views disappointing. Sites closer to the boat ramp offer more convenience for boating enthusiasts.

Based on 57 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors suggest arriving early to secure the best sites as the campground is small. Bringing your own wood for chopping is advisable, and firewood might not always be available on-site.

Based on 57 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is quietest during the off-season, and peak times may see issues with inconsiderate campers. Summer is ideal for boating and fishing, while the fall offers scenic foliage views.

Based on 57 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful campground, in a breathtaking location. Not very big, keeps it from being noisy.' 2. 'The sites were large but had only a slight view of the lake in between trees.' 3. 'Great place, and...

Based on 57 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but some reviewers noted inconsistency in enforcing leash rules.

Based on 57 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want maintained lakefront camping with easy boat access and summer water recreation.

Skip if

You need electric hookups or prefer backcountry solitude over developed amenities.

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Campgrounds

Kootenai National Forest

Bad Medicine Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

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

Overview

<p>The Bad Medicine Campground is located 25 miles south of Troy on Hwy 56, at the south end of Bull Lake.The campground has 18 sites including one host site, with tables and fire rings, most offering an average length of 32'. Campground roads and campsite parking spurs are paved. Amenities include potable water, vault toilets and a fully developed boat ramp with dock. There are 6 picnic sites with tables and fire rings near the boat ramp for day use only. A security gate is closed at 10:00 pm and opened at 07:00 am daily be the camphost.</p>

About the campground

The elevation is 2,200 ft. The campground is composed of two loops, upper and lower. The sites are tucked in among cedar and Hemlock. The lower loop has several short, double-wide sites with some sites overlooking Bull Lake. The upper loop is less densely wooded and has an open feel to it. A good day trip is Ross Creek Cedar Grove Scenic Area, a 0.9 mile hike through Western Red cedars. Some of the cedars are 8 ft. in diameter and over 175 ft. tall.

Seasons & access

Open May 1 through mid-October

Facilities

The wheelchair friendly toilet is located in the upper loop.

Water activities

Bull Lake is 1000 acres. There is a wheelchair friendly dock.

RV information

The parking aprons are gravel.

Directions

From Troy, MT, take US Rt. 2 east 1.6 miles to State Rt. 56. Turn right onto Rt. 56 and go 18.2 miles to Ross Creek Cedars sign (Forest Rt. 398). Turn right onto Rt. 398 and go 1.7 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground.

National Forest: Kootenai National Forest
Ranger District: Three Rivers
Elevation: 2200
Rate: $10 per day
Maximum Stay: 14
Open Season: May