Big Creek Campground

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Escape to a pristine wilderness gateway where simplicity meets adventure. This beautifully understated trailhead serves as your launching point to the breathtaking Merriam and Pass Lake Trails, offering outdoor enthusiasts an authentic backcountry experience. With intentionally minimal development, you'll find yourself immersed in nature from the moment you arrive, ready to explore two of the area's most rewarding hiking destinations.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Perched at the foot of Idaho's crown jewel, Mt. Borah Trailhead and Camping Area offers adventurers an authentic base camp experience where the state's highest peak looms majestically overhead. This intimate campground features five thoughtfully positioned sites that serve as launching pads for summit attempts and wilderness exploration. While the amenities are purposefully simple—an accessible vault toilet and informative safety signage—the real luxury here is waking up in the shadow of the 12,662-foot giant. Visitors should come prepared with their own water supply, embracing the self-sufficient spirit that mountain climbing demands. Beyond the peak itself, the surrounding landscape tells dramatic stories through the nearby earthquake site and the serene waters of Mackay Reservoir.

Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Tucked away in a tranquil forest setting, Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground invites adventurers to experience the peaceful rhythm of mountain life. Six intimate campsites nestle among towering trees, where the gentle murmur of Mill Creek creates nature's perfect soundtrack. While this backcountry gem keeps things simple—offering an accessible vault toilet, hitching rail, and unloading ramp for your gear—it's the absence of modern distractions that makes it special. Without potable water on-site, campers come prepared and leave transformed by the authentic wilderness experience.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Nestled deep within a pristine forest where two babbling creeks converge, Timber Creek Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic wilderness experience. This intimate 12-site retreat embraces the raw beauty of nature, where towering conifers create a natural cathedral and the rustic atmosphere invites you to disconnect from the modern world. Perfect for family reunions or group adventures, the open layout encourages community while the surrounding wilderness provides endless exploration opportunities.

PO Box 180 Ranger Street, Leadore, ID 83464, USA

Perched high in the pristine wilderness of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Meadow Lake Campground beckons adventurers seeking an authentic alpine escape. This intimate mountain retreat offers 17 thoughtfully arranged campsites—13 single sites perfect for couples or small families, and 4 spacious double sites ideal for larger groups. Each site comes equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay: sturdy fire rings for evening gatherings, picnic tables for outdoor meals, level tent pads for restful nights, and convenient prep tables for camp cooking under the stars.

Big Eightmile Creek, 14 miles west of Leadore, Idaho

Nestled along the babbling waters of Big Eightmile Creek, this intimate 10-site campground serves as your gateway to Idaho's rugged backcountry adventures. Each thoughtfully placed campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, creating the perfect basecamp for exploring the surrounding wilderness. Whether you're seeking heart-pumping mountain bike descents, challenging hiking trails, or thrilling OHV adventures, Big Eightmile delivers. The nearby canyons of Eightmile Creek and Dairy Creek beckon explorers, while history buffs can discover remnants of the area's mining past at the Blue Jay Mine site—though these fascinating relics should be admired from a safe distance due to hazardous abandoned shafts.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Tucked away in the heart of Idaho's backcountry, this intimate collection of three primitive campsites offers the ultimate escape for those seeking solitude. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, perfectly positioned along the babbling waters of Morse Creek. As one adventurer aptly noted, this might be the 'smallest campground you've ever seen' – but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in raw, untouched wilderness charm. Here, remoteness isn't just a feature; it's the main attraction.

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Tucked away in the rugged wilderness, Hawley Creek Lower Campground offers an authentic backcountry experience with four secluded camping sites perfect for those seeking solitude. While you'll need to bring your own water, modern restrooms provide a touch of comfort in this remote setting. Cast your line into the pristine waters of Hawley Creek or the nearby reservoir, where trout dance beneath the surface. Adventure seekers will discover a hidden spur trail that connects to the legendary Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, opening up endless exploration possibilities. The designated trails welcome ATV and motorcycle enthusiasts, adding an extra dimension of excitement to your wilderness escape.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Tucked away in a serene mountain setting, Hawley Creek Upper Campground offers an intimate escape with just 6 well-spaced campsites, each thoughtfully equipped with its own picnic table and fire ring for those memorable evening gatherings under the stars. While this rustic retreat embraces simplicity with vault toilets and no potable water (so come prepared!), it serves as your gateway to incredible adventures. Cast a line into the pristine waters of Hawley Creek or its peaceful reservoir, where fish rise to meet the morning mist. For those seeking a challenge, the spectacular 2-mile Hawley Creek Trail beckons, climbing an impressive 1,000 feet through breathtaking terrain that rewards hikers with stunning vistas and a true sense of accomplishment.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Escape to the untouched wilderness at Reservoir Creek Campground, where simplicity meets serenity. This intimate hideaway features just two secluded campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring for authentic outdoor living. While you'll find a vault toilet for convenience, this back-to-basics destination embraces the primitive camping experience—pack your own water and remember to carry out what you bring in, as no garbage services are available here.

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

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.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Big Eightmile Creek, 14 miles west of Leadore, Idaho

PO Box 180 Ranger Street, Leadore, ID 83464, USA

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Sawtooth National Forest

Tucked away from the modern world, Redfish Lake Inlet Campground offers an exclusive wilderness experience that rewards the adventurous. This pristine hideaway can only be reached by paddling across crystal-clear waters or following scenic hiking trails, ensuring a peaceful escape where the only sounds are lapping waves and rustling pines.

FOREST RD 2000, GRANGEVILLE, ID 83530, USA

Nestled in the untamed wilderness of north central Idaho, Fish Creek Group Camp offers an authentic backcountry experience within the majestic Nez Perce National Forest. This primitive, horse-friendly sanctuary welcomes groups seeking adventure off the beaten path, with space for up to 75 people and 20 vehicles. Here, where towering pines whisper ancient stories and mountain trails beckon riders and hikers alike, you'll discover the raw beauty of Idaho's rugged heartland.

Boise National Forest

Tucked away in a pristine mountain meadow where solitude meets wilderness, Ice Hole Campground beckons with 10 intimate campsites that promise an authentic backcountry experience. Here, towering pines frame your mountain retreat while the melodic waters of Johnson Creek provide nature's soundtrack. This hidden gem offers the perfect escape for those seeking to trade city lights for starlit nights in one of Idaho's most peaceful settings.

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Nestled in the heart of Idaho's pristine wilderness, Geisinger Campground beckons adventurers with three thoughtfully appointed campsites that balance comfort with untamed nature. Each site comes equipped with a crackling fire ring for evening gatherings, sturdy picnic tables for lakeside meals, and bear-proof storage boxes that keep both wildlife and provisions safe. True to its wilderness spirit, the campground embraces a Pack it In, Pack It Out philosophy, inviting visitors to leave only footprints and take only memories from this unspoiled corner of the world.

Sawtooth National Forest

Nestled along the babbling waters of East Fork Baker Creek, this secluded primitive campground offers an authentic wilderness escape for those seeking solitude and simplicity. With essential amenities including vault toilets and sturdy fire rings, adventurers can settle in for nights under star-filled skies while their horses graze peacefully nearby. This equestrian-friendly haven welcomes riders and pack animals, making it an ideal basecamp for exploring the surrounding backcountry trails on horseback or foot.

South Fork Salmon River Campground, Cascade, Idaho

Nestled within a majestic old-growth ponderosa pine forest, South Fork Salmon River Campground offers 11 intimate campsites where the whisper of ancient trees mingles with the gentle murmur of the South Fork Salmon River. This serene mountain retreat invites you to disconnect from the modern world and immerse yourself in nature's timeless rhythms. Whether you're casting a line into crystal-clear waters, exploring forest trails, or simply watching wildlife pass through camp, this peaceful sanctuary promises memories that will last long after your tent is packed away.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Escape to the untouched wilderness at Reservoir Creek Campground, where simplicity meets serenity. This intimate hideaway features just two secluded campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and fire ring for authentic outdoor living. While you'll find a vault toilet for convenience, this back-to-basics destination embraces the primitive camping experience—pack your own water and remember to carry out what you bring in, as no garbage services are available here.

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Tucked away in the rugged wilderness, Hawley Creek Lower Campground offers an authentic backcountry experience with four secluded camping sites perfect for those seeking solitude. While you'll need to bring your own water, modern restrooms provide a touch of comfort in this remote setting. Cast your line into the pristine waters of Hawley Creek or the nearby reservoir, where trout dance beneath the surface. Adventure seekers will discover a hidden spur trail that connects to the legendary Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, opening up endless exploration possibilities. The designated trails welcome ATV and motorcycle enthusiasts, adding an extra dimension of excitement to your wilderness escape.

Cape Horn Winter Rental (ID) 311 North U.S. Highway 93, CHALLIS, ID, 83226, USA

Escape to a winter wonderland at Cape Horn Winter Rental, where a cozy cabin nestled in the pristine Elk Meadow becomes your basecamp for unforgettable alpine adventures. This charming retreat sleeps up to 8 guests and invites you to explore miles of untouched powder on cross-country skis, trek through snow-laden forests on snowshoes, carve fresh tracks on your snowmobile, or discover hidden backcountry slopes for downhill skiing. After a day of exploration, return to the warmth of your wood stove, where crackling firewood and modern electricity create the perfect blend of rustic comfort and convenience.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Discover the intimate charm of Rackliff Campground, where six secluded campsites await along the pristine Selway River. This hidden gem offers more than just a place to pitch your tent—cross the scenic footbridge spanning Rackliff Creek, cast a line into crystal-clear waters, or embark on an adventure up the Rackliff Ridge Trail #702. With convenient picnic areas and essential facilities, this riverside retreat provides the perfect basecamp for explorers seeking authentic wilderness experiences.