Is Black Lee Camping Area first-come first-served or reservation?

Black Lee Camping Area operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The site operates on a first-come, first-served basis, as it is dispersed camping.

What is the best time to visit Black Lee Camping Area?

Black Lee Camping Area is open Not specified.. 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 Black Lee Camping Area?

Black Lee Camping Area does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Black Lee Camping Area?

Fire policies at Black Lee Camping Area: Not specified.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Black Lee Camping Area have?

Black Lee Camping Area has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Black Lee Camping Area?

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

What amenities are available at Black Lee Camping Area?

Black Lee Camping Area offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Black Lee Camping Area

5 reviews

Top 25% in IDFall

Featured in:Primitive Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

5,702 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Not specified.

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

5,702 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Not specified.

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Black Lee Camping Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No fees are charged for camping at this dispersed site.

No campsite fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Black Lee Camping Area

44.9860, -115.9547

Nearby places

McCall (~15 miles).

Weather at Black Lee Camping Area

Best Time to Camp at Black Lee Camping Area

Fall delivers the best conditions: highs in the 40s to 60s, nights dropping into the 20s and 30s. The meadow grasses turn color, visibility sharpens, and crowds vanish after Labor Day. Fire danger drops compared to late summer, which matters for dispersed camping rules. Winter is possible but demands serious cold-weather gear as temperatures plunge well below freezing. Summer brings dry, clear days good for stargazing, though the lack of shade makes afternoons hot and the wet woods breed mosquitoes. Hunting activity picks up in fall.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Top 25% in ID

Description states fall delivers best conditions: cooler temps, grasses color, and crowds vanish after Labor Day.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Not specified.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Not specified.

About Black Lee Camping Area

Black Lee Camping Area sits in Payette National Forest, 15 miles from McCall along Lick Creek Road. This primitive dispersed area functions primarily as overflow when other spots along Lick Creek fill up. It holds roughly 10 sites in an open field configuration. The area has a vault toilet, unusual for dispersed camping, but offers minimal shade and close site proximity.

Black Lee Camping Area is a remote, dispersed camping site suitable for campers looking for minimal facilities and an off-the-grid experience.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions: highs in the 40s to 60s, nights dropping into the 20s and 30s. The meadow grasses turn color, visibility sharpens, and crowds vanish after Labor Day. Fire danger drops compared to late summer, which matters for dispersed camping rules. Winter is possible but demands serious cold-weather gear as temperatures plunge well below freezing. Summer brings dry, clear days good for stargazing, though the lack of shade makes afternoons hot and the wet woods breed mosquitoes. Hunting activity picks up in fall.

ElevationNestled within the varied topography of the Payette National Forest, Black Lee sits at an elevation that provides a refreshing mountain atmosphere. While specific elevation details await your discovery, the site's mountain location ensures cooler temperatures and that crisp, pine-scented air that makes Idaho's high country so memorable.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a large open meadow at 5,702 feet, ringed by dense forest. The field transitions into wet wooded areas that host natural springs or seasonal streams. This openness means excellent views and big sky but also zero natural screening between sites. The wet zones near the tree line attract mosquitoes, especially in warmer months. The contrast between sunny meadow and dark forest creates habitat diversity, though you'll spend most of your time exposed to sun and wind in the field itself.

Geological RegionSituated within the vast Payette National Forest, Black Lee exemplifies the region's diverse geology where ancient volcanic activity and glacial forces have sculpted a landscape of rolling forests and hidden meadows. The area's wet zones suggest the presence of natural springs or seasonal streams, adding to the rich tapestry of this Idaho wilderness. This dispersed camping area showcases the raw beauty of the Northern Rockies ecosystem, where forest meets meadow in perfect harmony.

Scenic ViewsNo specific views or vistas are mentioned.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no lodging or accommodations (like cabins or lodges) available at this dispersed camping site.

Programs & ActivitiesThere are no cultural or educational programs offered at this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Not specified.

Check-out

Not specified.

Stay Limit

Not specified.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Not specified.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSites cluster in close proximity across the open field. There's no loop, no defined pads, just space to park and pitch where the ground allows. The open layout means you'll see your neighbors clearly and vice versa.

Reservation PlatformsN/A

Walk-in AvailabilityThe site operates on a first-come, first-served basis, as it is dispersed camping.

Cancellation PolicyNot applicable as no reservations are required.

Site SizeSpace for approximately three to ten campsites in close proximity to each other.

PrivacyThe campsites are in close proximity to each other, reducing the level of privacy. Additionally, the open field layout means there is limited natural screening between sites.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesThe review suggests that there are better dispersed camping options along Lick Creek Road.

Amenities available

The Black Lee Camping Area is a dispersed camping site located approximately 15 miles from McCall, Idaho, on Lick Creek Road. It operates within the McCall Ranger District in Payette National Forest. The site is described as offering very minimal amenities, aligned with its designation as a dispersed camping area.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Things to do at Black Lee Camping Area

As a dispersed camping area, Black Lee Camping Area doesn't offer organized activities or facilities, but the surrounding natural environment provides opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUsers have described the surrounding woods as mosquito-infested and wet, which might pose a nuisance or hazard during certain times.

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 campground site.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

5 reviews

Limited Reviews

Black Lee Camping Area has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews of Black Lee Camping Area highlight its very basic and primitive nature. It is often referred to as an overflow area for Lick Creek Road camping spots. Users emphasize the lack of shade and the proximity to mosquito-prone wet woods.

Review Summaries

Based on 5 reviews

What Campers Love

The area is appreciated for its vault toilet, which is a unique feature for dispersed camping. Campers looking for a minimalistic, remote experience might find this site suitable.

Based on 5 reviews

Common Concerns

Users expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of shade and the mosquito-infested woods. Additionally, several reviews noted that better camping spots are available along Lick Creek Road.

Based on 5 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers are advised to check for other dispersed camping areas along Lick Creek Road that are marked with a tent symbol as they might offer better shade and amenities.

Based on 5 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Mosquito populations appear to be high during the warmer months, which adds to the challenges of camping in the open field or near the wooded areas.

Based on 5 reviews

Camper Quotes

"I'd consider this the 'overflow camping' of Lick Creek Road. It's basically a big open field with a vault toilet. In order to get a tent into shade, you have to jam it back into mosquito-infested...

Based on 5 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features were available.

Based on 5 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

There were no reviews or comments regarding pet policies or pet experiences.

Based on 5 reviews

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Black Lee Camping Area

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No fees are charged for camping at this dispersed site.

No campsite 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

USFS

Provider

Go if

Fall weekends after Labor Day are the sweet spot. Crowds clear out, mosquitoes drop off, and the meadow grasses turn color under big open sky. Good for self-sufficient tent campers who just need a flat patch of ground and a toilet nearby.

Skip if

Summer brings brutal afternoon sun with nowhere to hide and mosquitoes breeding in the wet woods at the meadow's edge. Reviewers consistently say the shaded dispersed sites further along Lick Creek Road are worth the extra few minutes of driving.

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