Iron Bog Campground

4.82

25 reviews

None

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Idaho#2 RV Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

6,500 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Salmon-Challis National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,500 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Salmon-Challis National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Iron Bog Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$10/night for single campsites. Cash or check required. Senior Pass and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on single sites occupied by the...

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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

4.82

Top-Rated

Based on 25 reviews

20 Google reviews

Most mentioned

sites

"User reviews highlight the campground's scenic beauty, clean facilities, and quiet atmosphere. However, the road leading to the campground is gravel and may require attention."

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Campground Map

None

Iron Bog Campground

None

Driving directionsFrom Mackay: Take US Highway 93 south of Mackay to the Antelope Creek Road. Turn right on the Antelope Creek Road. Follow this road 19 miles to the campground. From Arco: Take US Highway 93 north of Arco to the Antelope Creek Road. Turn left on the Antelope Creek Road. Follow this road 19 miles to the campground.

After 4 miles, Antelope Rd. becomes gravel. Roads going in could use some attention, according to user reviews.

Nearby places

Mackay: 19 miles via Antelope Creek Road

Nearby supplies

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Best Time to Camp at Iron Bog Campground

From late May through September, Iron Bog Campground awakens from its winter slumber to welcome adventurers seeking high-elevation serenity. The campground opens May 25th just as wildflowers begin dotting the sagebrush meadows, though early season visitors should pack warm layers for crisp mountain mornings. Summer brings ideal camping weather, with comfortable days perfect for exploring nearby lakes and cool nights that invite campfire gatherings. As autumn approaches and the season winds down on September 30th, golden light bathes the landscape while temperatures remind you why that extra blanket was a good idea. Winter transforms this area into a frozen wonderland, with frigid temperatures keeping the campground peacefully dormant until spring's return.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open May 25–Sept 30; summer offers full access, quiet days and scenic streams; hand-pump water noted.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

3.5 / 5

Open through Sept 30; early fall likely pleasant though season ends before deep autumn.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Opens May 25 as wildflowers begin; late-spring access is good but earlier spring is closed.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Seasonal campground closed outside May 25–Sept 30; not available in winter.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open seasonally from May 25 to September 30, dependent on road conditions.
Current Alerts: None stated.

About Iron Bog Campground

Nestled in the heart of Idaho's high country, Iron Bog Campground offers 21 tranquil campsites where the gentle murmur of Iron Bog Creek provides a natural soundtrack to your wilderness escape. Seven coveted creekside sites let you fall asleep to the soothing sounds of flowing water, while the remaining sites spread across an open sagebrush meadow, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape. Four sites feature welcome shade awnings for those warm summer afternoons. Accommodating trailers up to 35 feet, this peaceful retreat operates as a pack-it-in, pack-it-out facility, maintaining its pristine character. Outside of holiday weekends, you'll often find yourself sharing this hidden gem with only the local wildlife and the whisper of wind through the sage.

Iron Bog Campground accommodates tent and RV campers, with some sites featuring ramada-style picnic tables.

Historical Significancenull

Weather and SeasonsFrom late May through September, Iron Bog Campground awakens from its winter slumber to welcome adventurers seeking high-elevation serenity. The campground opens May 25th just as wildflowers begin dotting the sagebrush meadows, though early season visitors should pack warm layers for crisp mountain mornings. Summer brings ideal camping weather, with comfortable days perfect for exploring nearby lakes and cool nights that invite campfire gatherings. As autumn approaches and the season winds down on September 30th, golden light bathes the landscape while temperatures remind you why that extra blanket was a good idea. Winter transforms this area into a frozen wonderland, with frigid temperatures keeping the campground peacefully dormant until spring's return.

ElevationPerched at 6,500 feet above sea level, Iron Bog Campground offers that perfect high-mountain atmosphere where the air feels crisp and clean, stars shine brilliantly in the thin atmosphere, and every breath reminds you that you've truly escaped to the wilderness.

Natural Features and ScenerySet atop a scenic sage-covered bluff overlooking the winding ribbon of Iron Bog Creek, this campground perfectly balances open meadow camping with pockets of shade provided by stately Douglas fir trees. The aromatic sagebrush landscape stretches in all directions, painted with subtle grays and greens that shift with the changing light. Just a short journey from camp, a trio of alpine lakes beckons to anglers and day hikers alike – Iron Bog Lake, Brockie Lake, and Fishpole Lake each offer their own unique character and fishing opportunities, creating a water-lover's paradise in this high desert setting.

Geological RegionDeep within the rugged embrace of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Iron Bog Campground sits atop its signature sage-covered bluff, carved over millennia by the persistent flow of Iron Bog Creek below. This remarkable landscape tells the story of ancient geological forces, where nearby Smiley Mountain stands sentinel over a collection of pristine alpine lakes. The surrounding terrain showcases the diverse beauty of Idaho's high country – from the aromatic sagebrush steppe to pockets of coniferous forest, all part of one of the lower 48's largest designated wilderness complexes. Iron Bog Lake, Brockie Lake, and Fishpole Lake dot the landscape like sapphires, each formed by unique geological processes that created these high-elevation fishing havens.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

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Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit is 16 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

One group campsite is available with a capacity of 25 persons.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutSingle loop with one spur on sage-covered bluff above Iron Bog Creek.

Reservation PlatformsNone. Non-reservable campground.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are non-reservable and available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityWheelchair-friendly vault toilets are available.

Site SizeMaximum trailer length is 35 feet.

PrivacyPrivacy varies; campsites near Iron Bog Creek are more secluded, while others are in open sagebrush areas.

Total Campsites21 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose creek-side sites for the best views and access to the mountain stream. Covered picnic tables are available at some sites for added shade and rain protection.

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear country; safe food storage practices required.

Active AlertsNone stated.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Iron Bog Campground

Reviews

4.8

25 reviews

Top-Rated

Iron Bog Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's scenic beauty, clean facilities, and quiet atmosphere. However, the road leading to the campground is gravel and may require attention.

Review Summaries

Based on 25 reviews

What Campers Love

"Many of the campsites have covered picnic tables for sun and rain protection." - L. Bryce Willis "One of my all-time favorite places to camp!!!" - Benjamin Pearson

Based on 25 reviews

Common Concerns

Road conditions leading to the campground need improvement: "roads going in could use some attention" - Arlin Stimpson.

Based on 25 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers should be prepared for no cell reception and should practice bear-safe food storage techniques.

Based on 25 reviews

Seasonal Insights

During holiday weekends, the campground sees increased usage, but remains quiet otherwise. Summer months provide rust-colored potable water via a hand-pump.

Based on 25 reviews