Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground

5 reviews

Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground, Salmon-Challis National Forest

Quick Facts

6,837 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Salmon-Challis National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,837 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Salmon-Challis National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There are no fees for camping at this dispersed camping area.

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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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

Based on 5 reviews

3 Google reviews

Some mention

dusty

"User reviews generally appreciate the natural setting, mentioning 'access to Bear Valley Creek' and 'several shady spots.' However, the dusty road leading to the campground is a common complaint."

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Campground Map

Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground, Salmon-Challis National Forest

Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground

Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground, Salmon-Challis National Forest

Driving directionsFollow Highway 28 north 19 miles to Lemhi. One mile north of Lemhi, turn west on the Hayden Creek Road. Follow Forest Service Road #008 to Bear Valley Creek at 8.5 miles. At this road junction take the right fork, Forest Service Road #009, up Bear Valley Creek Road for 4.7 miles to the Bear Valley (upper) Trailhead Campground.

Access to the campground requires navigating unpaved Forest Service roads (#008 and #009). While accessible, these roads can be dusty and are not paved. Seasonal conditions may affect road usability.

Nearby places

Leadore: 28 miles northwest.

Nearby supplies

Null

Best Time to Camp at Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground

Bear Valley's weather tells a story of dramatic seasonal transformation. Winter arrives with a crystalline beauty, bringing snow-dusted mornings and temperatures that demand cozy sleeping bags, with up to a 30% chance of fresh powder perfect for snowshoeing adventures. As spring awakens the meadow, expect crisp nights giving way to warming days, punctuated by refreshing mountain showers. Summer unfolds as the campground's golden season, with gloriously dry days ranging from cool 40-degree mornings to pleasant 75-degree afternoons—ideal for trail exploration. Fall paints the landscape in amber hues while temperatures dance between extremes, creating that perfect campfire weather.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open from May 15; summer wildflowers, creek and hiking make summer prime season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.0 / 5

Fall likely quieter with mountain views, but no seasonal review data available.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring access limited early; late spring after May 15 offers creek and emerging wildflowers.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground opens May 15; winter access/use not documented and likely affected by snow.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground is open starting May 15 each year, though specific closing times are not mentioned.
Current Alerts: Water is turned off for the season as noted on 11/2/15.

About Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground

Escape to Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground, where six thoughtfully placed picnic tables with fire rings await beneath open skies. This dispersed camping gem offers the essentials for a true wilderness experience—fresh drinking water from a hand pump and a vault toilet—while encouraging visitors to embrace Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash. Set in a tranquil meadow where a cheerful creek babbles its timeless song, this campground serves as your gateway to the spectacular Bear Valley National Recreation Trail, where countless adventures begin at your tent door.

Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground is categorized as a dispersed camping area, offering minimal facilities and emphasizing a natural setting.

Historical SignificanceWhile the recorded human history of this specific campground remains unwritten, visitors become part of an ongoing story—one where modern adventurers follow in the footsteps of countless others who have sought solace in these mountain meadows.

Weather and SeasonsBear Valley's weather tells a story of dramatic seasonal transformation. Winter arrives with a crystalline beauty, bringing snow-dusted mornings and temperatures that demand cozy sleeping bags, with up to a 30% chance of fresh powder perfect for snowshoeing adventures. As spring awakens the meadow, expect crisp nights giving way to warming days, punctuated by refreshing mountain showers. Summer unfolds as the campground's golden season, with gloriously dry days ranging from cool 40-degree mornings to pleasant 75-degree afternoons—ideal for trail exploration. Fall paints the landscape in amber hues while temperatures dance between extremes, creating that perfect campfire weather.

ElevationPerched at an elevation where meadow grasses thrive and mountain air carries the crisp clarity that only comes from ascending into the high country, Bear Valley offers that perfect balance between accessibility and alpine adventure.

Natural Features and SceneryPicture yourself waking to the gentle symphony of a mountain creek weaving through verdant meadowlands, where wildflowers dance in summer breezes and the encompassing Lemhi Mountains create a natural amphitheater of wonder. This pristine landscape offers more than just a place to pitch your tent—it's a canvas where nature paints daily masterpieces, from misty morning meadows to star-studded evening skies. The nearby creek provides both a soothing soundtrack and a refreshing respite after days spent exploring the Bear Valley National Recreation Trail.

Geological RegionNestled within the majestic Lemhi Mountains of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Bear Valley occupies a special place where ancient geological forces have carved out peaceful meadows between towering peaks. This remarkable landscape showcases the raw beauty of Idaho's wilderness, where mountain streams have spent millennia sculpting valleys perfect for both wildlife and wanderers. The Bear Valley National Recreation Trail winds through this geological wonderland, offering intimate encounters with the forces that shaped this corner of the American West.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

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Check-out

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Stay Limit

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Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

No information about group camping sites is available.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground features six picnic tables with fire rings and scattered dispersed camping areas.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservations required; the campground is free and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites are first-come, first-served, and no reservations are required.

Cancellation PolicyNull

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not detailed in the source materials.

Site SizeNo specific information about the size of campsites is available.

PrivacyUser reviews note 'several shady spots,' but no detailed information about privacy levels is provided.

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended SitesNull

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers day hiking opportunities along the Bear Valley National Recreation Trail and single picnicking activities. User reviews do not elaborate on other recreational opportunities.

HikingThe Bear Valley National Recreation Trail is accessible from the campground, providing day hiking opportunities. No specific details about trail difficulty or length are mentioned.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include dusty roads (as mentioned in a user review) and variable weather conditions including snow in colder weeks.

Active AlertsWater is turned off for the season as noted on 11/2/15.

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

Weather at Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground

Reviews

0.0

5 reviews

Limited Reviews

Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally appreciate the natural setting, mentioning 'access to Bear Valley Creek' and 'several shady spots.' However, the dusty road leading to the campground is a common complaint.

Review Summaries

Based on 5 reviews