How much does camping cost at Penn Basin?

Camping fees at Penn Basin range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Penn Basin first-come first-served or reservation?

Penn Basin 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 Penn Basin?

Penn Basin is open June 17 to September 30. 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 Penn Basin?

Penn Basin does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Penn Basin have?

Penn Basin has 6 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Penn Basin?

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

Penn Basin

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Penn Basin

Top 21%Summer

Peace & Quiet

Featured in:Summer Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

Price

$10/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Peak season typicall...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$10/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Peak season typicall...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Penn Basin

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Nonelectric: $10.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

208-382-7461

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Penn Basin

48.1314, -103.2376

Nearby places

Yellow Pine — approximately 28 miles north (tiny community with limited services).

Driving directionsFrom Boise, Idaho, travel north on State Highway 55 approximately 80 miles to Cascade, Idaho. From Cascade, Idaho, travel north on State Highway 55 only a short distance to the turnoff at the Warm Lake Road (Forest Highway 22). Take Forest Highway 22 northeast approximately 25 miles. When you arrive within the Warm Lake area, Forest Highway 22 becomes Forest Service (FS) Road 579. Continue east on the FS Road 579 until it intersects with the FS Road 413, approximately 10 miles. Turn south at the intersection of FS Roads 413 and 579. Proceed approximately 3 miles to the Penn Basin Campround.

Weather at Penn Basin

Current alerts(3)

No cell service
No potable water
Primitive campground

Best Time to Camp at Penn Basin

Best season: summer. Summer offers the clearest access and the best overall conditions — warm, sunny days (typically mid-60s to low-80s°F) and cool nights (upper 30s to low 50s°F) that make hiking, mountain biking, and fishing on Johnson Creek enjoyable. Wildflowers carpet the meadow from late June through July and wildlife is active in the mornings and evenings; water flows from snowmelt keep trout fishing productive in early summer. Because Penn Basin is remote and small, you’ll still find relative solitude even在b Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 21% in US

Best season; warm days, cool nights and wildflowers late June–July; peak access.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: June 17 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak season typically early June through late September.

About Penn Basin

Penn Basin sits in a mountain meadow along Johnson Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Salmon River in central Idaho's backcountry. The campground has 6 sites surrounded by pine forest and carved-out slopes left by glacial activity. It's remote, small, and built for solitude.

Penn Basin Campground provides 6 campsites in a peaceful, remote mountain meadow adjacent to Johnson Creek. The site is described as remote and accessible by most vehicles, with a narrow, occasionally rough access road.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the clearest access and the best overall conditions — warm, sunny days (typically mid-60s to low-80s°F) and cool nights (upper 30s to low 50s°F) that make hiking, mountain biking, and fishing on Johnson Creek enjoyable. Wildflowers carpet the meadow from late June through July and wildlife is active in the mornings and evenings; water flows from snowmelt keep trout fishing productive in early summer. Because Penn Basin is remote and small, you’ll still find relative solitude even在b Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Natural Features and SceneryJohnson Creek flows through the meadow, which fills with wildflowers from late June through July. Dense pine forest rises on the surrounding slopes, creating a natural basin. Deer, elk, and moose pass through camp. Black bears forage in the forest. Bald eagles ride thermals above the creek corridor. The landscape sits within the South Fork Salmon River watershed, shaped by glacial forces that carved the valley into its current form.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Small, remote campground with 6 campsites located near Johnson Creek and mountain slopes covered in pine forest. Accessible by most vehicles though the access road is narrow and may be rough in spots; peak season is typically early June through late September. Charges are non-refundable.

I manage this campground

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

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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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

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Limited Reviews

Penn Basin has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

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Penn Basin

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard Nonelectric: $10.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-382-7461

Go if

Solitude-seekers who self-supply and fish: Johnson Creek and the South Fork Salmon River offer trout fishing through early summer, wildflowers peak in late June, and even at capacity you're sharing the meadow with only five other parties.

Skip if

Forgot to stock up before you left, Yellow Pine is 28 miles north with limited services, the access road gets rough, fees are non-refundable, and there are zero reviews to fall back on for what the road or sites are actually like right now.

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Campgrounds

Penn Basin

From official sources

Reference information about Penn Basin compiled from official sources. Every claim links to its source. View official page →

Seasons & access: Peak season for the campground is typically early June through late September. source
Site layout: Offers 6 campsites. Primitive campground. source

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From Recreation.gov

Official information for Penn Basin from the federal Recreation.gov facility record. View official page →

Overview

The Penn Basin Campground near Landmark, Idaho, offers 6 campsites in a peaceful, remote setting near mountain slopes covered in dense pine forest. Peak season for the campground is typically early June through late September. It can be accessed by most vehicles; however the road is narrow and may be rough in spots.

Recreation

Check on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for non-motorized and motorized trails. The area is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. The South Fork Salmon River and Johnson Creek offer opportunities for fishing. Berry picking and hunting are popular pastimes in season.

Natural Features

The campground sits in a pretty mountain meadow a stone's throw from scenic Johnson Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Salmon River. Wildlife watchers may see deer, elk, bear and moose. Bald eagles are often spotted soaring overhead. Plenty of wildflowers and possible wildlife viewing.

Nearby Attractions

The tiny community of Yellow Pine established in 1902 is north of the campground approximately 28 miles and offers limited services. The popular Yellow Pine Music & Harmonica Festival is held annually in August.

Charges & Cancellations

Non-refundable

Directions

From Boise, Idaho, travel north on State Highway 55 approximately 80 miles to Cascade, Idaho. From Cascade, Idaho, travel north on State Highway 55 only a short distance to the turnoff at the Warm Lake Road (Forest Highway 22). Take Forest Highway 22 northeast approximately 25 miles. When you arrive within the Warm Lake area, Forest Highway 22 becomes Forest Service (FS) Road 579. Continue east on the FS Road 579 until it intersects with the FS Road 413, approximately 10 miles. Turn south at the intersection of FS Roads 413 and 579. Proceed approximately 3 miles to the Penn Basin Campround.

Phone: 208-382-7461

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