How much does camping cost at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Camping fees at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground range from $5/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground before I book?

Yes! Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground is open Open from May 25th to September 30th.. 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 Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Fire policies at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground: null. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground have?

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground has 4 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Popular activities at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

3.25

12 reviews

Featured in:Fishing Idaho

Quick Facts

8,015 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

Open from May 25th t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

8,015 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

Open from May 25th t...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

$5.00 - $5.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Overnight camping fee is $5 per night for single campsites. The fee applies only to the site physically occupied by the pass holder and does not...

Standard Site Fee$5.00

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USFS

Provider

nullnull

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

43.7679, -113.9031

Nearby places

Mackay (16 miles north)

Nearby supplies

null

Driving directionsFrom Mackay: Take US Highway 93 approximately 16 miles north of Mackay to the Trail Creek Road (#208). Turn left on Trail Creek Road. Follow this road 18 miles and turn left on Copper Basin Road (#135). Follow this road 18 miles to the second turnoff to the Copper Basin Loop Road (at the Copper Basin Guard Station). Turn right on the Copper Basin Loop Road. Follow this road 4 miles to the trailhead. From Sun Valley/Ketchum: Take Highway 75 (Main Street) to Sun Valley Road. Turn northeast onto Sun Valley Road. This road turns into the Trail Creek Road (closed in winter). Follow this road to the Copper Basin Road. Turn right on the Copper Basin Road. Follow this road 18 miles to the second turnoff to the Copper Basin Loop Road (at the Copper Basin Guard Station). Turn right on the Copper Basin Loop Road. Follow this road 4 miles to the trailhead.

Road access can be challenging. Trail Creek Road is noted to be closed during the winter, adding seasonal restrictions to accessibility. Roads leading to the campground are unpaved and may depend on road conditions, which are described as approximate.

Weather at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Current alert: Road conditions may fluctuate and affect accessibility.

Best Time to Camp at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Summer delivers the most reliable access and conditions. Daytime highs reach the mid-60s to mid-70s°F, with nighttime lows dropping into the 30s and 40s°F. Trails open fully by July, when wildflowers peak in late June through July. Late May through late September defines the practical camping window. Spring snowmelt can block roads early in the season. Autumn brings golden light and fewer people as the weather cools.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers best access and reliable conditions; daytime highs in mid‑60s to mid‑70s°F.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open from May 25th to September 30th.

About Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground sits at 8,015 feet in the Salmon-Challis National Forest near Mackay. The campground has four sites spread across open sagebrush terrain, charging $5 per night. It's a jumping-off point for the Lake Creek ATV trails, the Green Lake Trail, and Muldoon Canyon's rock formations.

Lake Creek Trailhead and Campground offers a rustic camping experience with minimal facilities. It is suitable for tent camping and small trailers up to 35 feet in length.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most reliable access and conditions. Daytime highs reach the mid-60s to mid-70s°F, with nighttime lows dropping into the 30s and 40s°F. Trails open fully by July, when wildflowers peak in late June through July. Late May through late September defines the practical camping window. Spring snowmelt can block roads early in the season. Autumn brings golden light and fewer people as the weather cools.

Elevationnull

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies sagebrush meadows along Lake Creek, with open views of surrounding hills. The high desert landscape attracts deer, elk, and various bird species. Muldoon Canyon's dramatic rock formations and hidden springs lie within day-trip range, while the Green Lake Trail climbs toward alpine country. The exposed setting means big sky views but little shade.

Geological RegionSet within the magnificent Salmon-Challis National Forest, Lake Creek Campground sits at the intersection of adventure and tranquility. The surrounding sagebrush ecosystem represents classic Idaho high desert terrain, while serving as your launching point for exploring the popular Lake Creek ATV trail system, the scenic Green Lake Trail for hikers seeking alpine beauty, and the geological wonders of Muldoon Canyon with its dramatic rock formations and hidden springs.

Scenic Viewsnull

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodging accommodations, such as cabins or lodges, are mentioned for this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are specified for this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Open 24 hours/day

Check-out

Null

Stay Limit

Maximum 35' trailers allowed

Guests Allowed Per Site

Null

Groups

Group camping is not mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutFour sites scattered across open sagebrush. Limited privacy between units.

Reservation Platformshttps://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes

Walk-in Availabilitynull

Cancellation PolicySites may be reservable and reservation fees apply.

Site SizeThe campground contains four camping units, but detailed information about the size of these sites is not provided.

PrivacyThe sites are located in an open sagebrush area, suggesting limited privacy between sites.

Total Campsites4 campsites

Recommended Sitesnull

Need help booking Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Lake Creek Trailhead and Campground offers a variety of outdoor recreation options that cater to different interests, including hiking, fishing, and off-highway vehicle activities. The area is also suitable for viewing wildlife and plants, with scenic drives and winter sports like snowmobiling available nearby.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.3

12 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

No user reviews were provided for this campground.

Review Summaries

Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

No user reviews were provided to compile positive highlights.

Based on 12 reviews

Common Concerns

No user reviews were provided to identify common complaints.

Based on 12 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No user reviews were provided to identify site-specific insights.

Based on 12 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user reviews were provided to gather tips and recommendations.

Based on 12 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No user reviews were provided to analyze seasonal trends.

Based on 12 reviews

Camper Quotes

No user reviews were provided to extract direct quotes.

Based on 12 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user reviews or feedback regarding accessibility features were provided.

Based on 12 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No user reviews addressing pet policies or experiences were provided.

Based on 12 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

ATV riders and trail hikers who want cheap, high-elevation access to Lake Creek trails and don't need water or shade. Pack all your own water, arrive in July when trails are fully open, and confirm road conditions before leaving Mackay.

Skip if

No potable water, no camp host, only four sites with little privacy between them in open sagebrush. Anyone expecting hookups, shade, or a fallback plan if the access road is washed out will have a rough time.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

0.0

(5)

Broad Canyon Campground & Trailhead

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Broad Canyon Campground sits at 7,828 feet in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, serving day hikers and overnight campers headed for three local trails: Broad Canyon, Jarvis, and Bellas. The eight primitive sites have vault toilets and hitching rails. No fees are posted.

Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Planning Tips

About Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Go if

Skip if

Overview

Plan a trip to Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Best Time to Camp at Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Lake Creek Trailhead & Campground?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews