Lost Valley Reservoir Camping Area

4.87

6 reviews

3674 Highway 95 New Meadows, ID 83654

Summer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Idaho

Quick Facts

4,839 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens New Meadows Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

4,839 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens New Meadows Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Lost Valley Reservoir Camping Area

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There are no fees associated with dispersed camping at Lost Valley Reservoir.

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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USFS

Provider

208-347-0300

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What Campers Say

4.87

Top-Rated

Based on 6 reviews

2 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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Campground Map

3674 Highway 95 New Meadows, ID 83654

Lost Valley Reservoir Camping Area

3674 Highway 95 New Meadows, ID 83654

Driving directionsEight miles southwest of New Meadows on US hwy 95, east on Forest Road #89 to Lost Valley Reservoir. Sites are located adjacent to the reservoir in many locations.

Access to most sites is difficult with a large RV. Roads to the area are unpaved and lack amenities.

Nearby places

New Meadows - 8 miles southwest

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies are presumably available in New Meadows, 8 miles away, given its proximity as the nearest city.

Best Time to Camp at Lost Valley Reservoir Camping Area

Experience the dramatic seasonal transformation of Lost Valley, where winter blankets the landscape in pristine snow and transforms the camping area into a frozen wonderland. As temperatures plunge and snow accumulates, the reservoir becomes a serene ice-bound jewel, perfect for those seeking solitude and winter camping adventures. Come summer, the area awakens under warm sunshine and crystal-clear skies, offering ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, and lazy afternoons by the water. The shoulder seasons bring their own magic, with spring wildflowers and autumn's golden display painting the surrounding forest in vibrant hues.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Boating and fishing make summer attractive; primitive camping still limits services.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

Autumn likely scenic in a forested area, but no reviews or specifics on fall foliage noted.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring access and recreation likely resume but specifics about conditions or seasonality are not provided.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Winter snow and a frozen landscape are mentioned, but primitive conditions make winter camping challenging.

Planning Tips

About Lost Valley Reservoir Camping Area

Escape to the tranquil shores of Lost Valley Reservoir, where primitive camping meets pristine wilderness in the heart of Idaho's backcountry. This dispersed camping haven invites adventurers to claim their own piece of paradise along the reservoir's edge, far from the crowds and constraints of developed campgrounds. Without the distractions of hookups or facilities, you'll find yourself immersed in the raw beauty of the Payette National Forest, where the only amenities are the ones nature provides—star-filled skies, fresh mountain air, and the gentle lapping of water against the shore.

The Lost Valley Reservoir Camping Area is specifically designated for dispersed camping with no developed facilities.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal transformation of Lost Valley, where winter blankets the landscape in pristine snow and transforms the camping area into a frozen wonderland. As temperatures plunge and snow accumulates, the reservoir becomes a serene ice-bound jewel, perfect for those seeking solitude and winter camping adventures. Come summer, the area awakens under warm sunshine and crystal-clear skies, offering ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, and lazy afternoons by the water. The shoulder seasons bring their own magic, with spring wildflowers and autumn's golden display painting the surrounding forest in vibrant hues.

Natural Features and SceneryLost Valley Reservoir sits like a hidden gem amidst a sea of evergreen forest, where towering pines and firs create a natural amphitheater around the sparkling waters. The undeveloped shoreline offers countless secret coves and peaceful spots to pitch your tent, each with its own view of the reservoir's mirror-like surface reflecting the surrounding peaks. Wildlife thrives in this undisturbed habitat, where early risers might spot deer coming to drink at dawn, while eagles soar overhead and the forest echoes with birdsong throughout the day.

Geological RegionNestled within the rugged expanse of Payette National Forest, Lost Valley Reservoir occupies a natural basin carved by ancient geological forces. This remote corner of Idaho showcases the region's volcanic past, with the surrounding landscape bearing witness to millennia of natural sculpting. The dispersed camping environment allows visitors to experience the forest as it was meant to be—wild, untamed, and breathtakingly beautiful. The reservoir itself serves as the centerpiece of this geological wonderland, its waters filling a valley that perfectly captures the essence of Idaho's untouched wilderness.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

Group camping is not available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutDispersed sites surrounding Lost Valley Reservoir.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites are first-come-first-served as standard for dispersed camping.

AccessibilityNo information available on accessibility features for campers with disabilities.

Site SizeThe dispersed camping locations do not provide specific site sizes.

PrivacyCampsites are located adjacent to the reservoir, indicating limited privacy due to the open layout.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The recreational opportunities at the Lost Valley Reservoir Camping Area include fishing, motorized boating, and hunting. These activities are supported by the proximity to the reservoir and surrounding forest.

FishingFishing is specifically mentioned as an activity at the reservoir, though details about the types of fish or fishing conditions are not provided.

BoatingMotorized boating is explicitly mentioned as an activity at the reservoir. However, there are no details about docking facilities or boat rentals.

Winter Activities

Water Sports