Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Star4.83
8 reviews
Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground
Peace & Quiet

Quick Facts

7,231 ft

Price

$5/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Open from May 20 to ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Salmon-Challis National Forest site

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Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground
$5.00 - $5.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Single site fee is $5 per night. Interagency Senior and Access Recreation Passes offer a 50% discount on single campsites occupied by the pass...
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Standard Site Fee$5.00
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

4.83

Top-Rated

Based on 8 reviews

6 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleansites

"User reviews highlight the tranquility, cleanliness, and scenic beauty of the campground. Visitors appreciate the lack of crowds and its proximity to outdoor attractions like Mill Creek Lake and Barney Hot Springs."

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Campground Map

Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Driving directionsFrom Mackay: Take US Highway 93 south of Mackay 7 miles to the Pass Creek Road. Turn left on the Pass Creek Road. Follow this road 28 miles to the Little Lost/Pahsimeroi Road. Turn left on the Little Lost/Pahsimeroi Road. Follow this road 0.2 miles to the Sawmill Canyon Road. Turn right on the Sawmill Canyon Road. Follow this road to the Mill Creek Road. Turn right on the Mill Creek Road. Follow this road to the Mill Creek Trailhead. From Arco: Take US Highway 20/26 south of Arco 8 miles to State Highway 22/33. Turn left on State Highway 22/33. Follow this road 16 miles to Howe. Continue straight through Howe onto the Little Lost/Pahsimeroi Road. Follow this road 37 miles to the Sawmill Canyon Road. Turn right on the Sawmill Canyon Road. Follow this road to the Mill Creek Road. Turn right on the Mill Creek Road. Follow this road to the Mill Creek Trailhead.
The campground is accessible via multiple roads, including Pass Creek Road, Little Lost/Pahsimeroi Road, and Sawmill Canyon Road. Directions indicate a mix of paved and unpaved roads. No information is provided on seasonal closures, but the remote location suggests caution.
Nearby places
Mackay: approximately 35 miles and about 1 hour drive
Arco: approximately 63 miles and about 1.5 hours drive

Best Time to Camp at Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Each season paints Mill Creek in different hues. Spring arrives gently in May, bringing mild temperatures and an almost meditative solitude—seasoned visitors cherish mid-May's peaceful atmosphere when you might have the entire campground to yourself. July transforms the forest into a warm, sun-dappled retreat perfect for creek-side relaxation. Winter wraps the landscape in pristine snow, creating a wonderland for those brave enough to embrace the cold.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Main open season; trails and lake access available through summer months.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Sept 30; early fall offers colors but season ends early.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Opens May 20; reviews note peaceful mid-May visits though season starts late spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Closed outside May 20–Sept 30; winter use not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: No specific peak season pricing dates mentioned.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from May 20 to September 30.

About 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.
Mill Creek Campground offers primitive camping with limited facilities. The campsites cater to tent camping, and the rustic amenities align with a self-sufficient camping experience.
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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
No explicit stay limits mentioned.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Campers at Mill Creek Campground can engage in a variety of outdoor activities. These include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, picnicking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and scenic driving. The nearby Mill Creek Lake National Recreation Trail and Mill Creek Lake offer additional recreational opportunities.
HikingHiking is available with nearby trails such as the Mill Creek Lake National Recreation Trail providing scenic routes for day hikes and backpacking.
FishingFishing opportunities are available in the nearby river/stream and lake/pond, though the specific types of fish are not mentioned.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is one of the highlighted activities, with opportunities to observe local plants and animals.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo specific hazards mentioned; however, absence of water and emergency services suggests campers should prepare accordingly.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground

Reviews

4.8
8 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the tranquility, cleanliness, and scenic beauty of the campground. Visitors appreciate the lack of crowds and its proximity to outdoor attractions like Mill Creek Lake and Barney Hot Springs.
Review Summaries
Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers emphasize the cleanliness of the vault toilet, the quiet and uncrowded nature of the campground, and the scenic environment. Matthew Rellaford stated, 'This is one of the best campsites...
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Based on 8 reviews

Common Concerns

No specific complaints were mentioned in the user reviews.
Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend combining a camping trip with visits to nearby attractions such as Barney Hot Springs and Mill Creek Lake.
Based on 8 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate that the campground is quieter and less populated in mid-May, as noted by Matthew Rellaford: 'We were the only people there mid-May.'
Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. Adele Adams: 'Clean camp area and restroom. Loved it!' 2. Matthew Rellaford: 'This is one of the best campsites I’ve ever been to. It has the perfect combination of beauty and lack of people.'
Based on 8 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific site reviews or recommendations are provided for individual campsites.
Based on 8 reviews

Accessibility Features

The accessible vault toilet and unloading ramp are mentioned, but no direct user feedback on accessibility experiences is provided.
Based on 8 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One review mentions a dog enjoying the nearby creek, indicating that pets are likely allowed ('The nearby creek was a lot of fun for my little boys and dog'). Specific pet policies are not detailed.
Based on 8 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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