Morgan Bar Campground

4.40

43 reviews

1206 S Challis St, Salmon, ID 83467

Quick Facts

3,888 ft

Price

$5 - $15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

3,888 ft

Price

$5 - $15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Morgan Bar Campground

$5.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Fees vary by season. Nightly campsite rate is $5/site during standard season and $15 during peak season. $2 per additional vehicle. Fees can be paid...

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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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-756-5400

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What Campers Say

4.40

Recommended

Based on 43 reviews

36 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewslocationsites

"User reviews highlight the campground's peaceful setting, proximity to the Salmon River, and recreational opportunities as key attractions. Mosquitoes are a recurring complaint, though many visitors express enjoyment of their overall experience."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

1206 S Challis St, Salmon, ID 83467

Morgan Bar Campground

1206 S Challis St, Salmon, ID 83467

Driving directionsTake Highway 93 North from Salmon, ID for 3.5 miles. Turn left at the Lemhi County Fairgrounds and follow the signs for about 1 mile down the Diamond Creek Road. The site is on the right between the Diamond Creek Road and the Salmon River.

Access is via paved Highway 93 North, followed by a short gravel road. No seasonal closures or challenging terrain are noted.

Nearby places

Salmon: 3.5 miles (~10 minutes drive)

Nearby supplies

Supplies, groceries, and fuel are available in Salmon, ID, approximately 3.5 miles from the campground.

Best Time to Camp at Morgan Bar Campground

Morgan Bar experiences the full drama of Idaho's changing seasons. Winter transforms the landscape into a serene wonderland, with gentle snowfalls typically bringing up to 3 inches per week—just enough to dust the evergreens without overwhelming access. During these colder months, expect crisp, freezing temperatures and predominantly cloudy skies that create a cozy atmosphere perfect for campfire gatherings. While clear days are treasured at about 36% of the time, the moody skies add character to the mountain views. Summer brings a welcome warmth that beckons swimmers to the river and fills the campground with the sounds of outdoor adventures, though specific temperature data remains as elusive as the morning mist on the water.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Summer offers full river recreation but mosquitoes are frequently described as 'relentless'.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Reviews trend more positive in fall with fewer mosquitoes and pleasant conditions.

Spring(Mar-May)

2.5 / 5

Late spring mosquito issues reported; conditions can be variable in spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round with light snow; winter access possible but limited winter activities.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 1 - December 31 (First-come, first-served starting June 20 annually). Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round; reservations available starting January each year. First-come, first-served begins June 20th annually.

About Morgan Bar Campground

Nestled along the pristine waters of the Salmon River, Morgan Bar Campground welcomes adventurers with a perfect blend of riverside camping and mountain vistas. Whether you're pulling in with your RV or pitching a tent under the stars, you'll find yourself at the gateway to Idaho's untamed wilderness. The campground's boat ramp provides direct river access for fishing enthusiasts and rafters, while a meandering trail around the wetland pond offers peaceful morning walks. To the east, the majestic Beaverhead Mountains paint a dramatic backdrop that changes with each passing hour, from sunrise alpenglow to sunset's golden farewell.

Morgan Bar Campground offers standard campsites for RV and tent camping, with additional group facilities available.

Historical SignificanceStep into a piece of living history at Morgan Bar, where the pioneering spirit of the American West still whispers through the trees. This land once belonged to the hardy Morgan family, whose homestead dreams took root in this river valley generations ago. Today, their legacy lives on in the remnant orchard that still bears fruit—a touching reminder of the families who first recognized the magic of this place. These heritage trees not only provide a link to the past but also attract wildlife and offer campers a unique opportunity to taste history during harvest season.

Weather and SeasonsMorgan Bar experiences the full drama of Idaho's changing seasons. Winter transforms the landscape into a serene wonderland, with gentle snowfalls typically bringing up to 3 inches per week—just enough to dust the evergreens without overwhelming access. During these colder months, expect crisp, freezing temperatures and predominantly cloudy skies that create a cozy atmosphere perfect for campfire gatherings. While clear days are treasured at about 36% of the time, the moody skies add character to the mountain views. Summer brings a welcome warmth that beckons swimmers to the river and fills the campground with the sounds of outdoor adventures, though specific temperature data remains as elusive as the morning mist on the water.

ElevationSituated in the heart of the Salmon River country, Morgan Bar rests at an elevation characteristic of central Idaho's river valleys. This strategic position offers the best of both worlds—protection from extreme alpine conditions while still providing that crisp, clean mountain air that makes every breath feel like a gift. The moderate elevation ensures comfortable camping conditions and easy access throughout most of the year.

Natural Features and SceneryNature puts on a spectacular show at Morgan Bar, where the mighty Salmon River serves as both the soundtrack and centerpiece of your camping experience. Towering rock cliffs rise dramatically from the water's edge, serving as ancestral nesting grounds for Canada geese whose honking calls echo across the canyon each spring. The campground's crown jewel might be its wetland ponds—tranquil oases that attract an impressive array of birdlife and offer some of the region's best wildlife viewing opportunities. From great blue herons stalking the shallows to deer coming down for evening drinks, these wetlands create a natural amphitheater for observing Idaho's diverse ecosystem. The Beaverhead Mountains complete the scenic tableau, their rugged peaks providing an ever-changing canvas of light and shadow.

Geological RegionMorgan Bar sits at a geological crossroads where ancient forces carved a masterpiece from stone and water. The Salmon River has spent millennia sculpting its path through the landscape, creating the dramatic rock cliffs that now serve as natural apartments for nesting Canada geese. These weathered ramparts tell the story of volcanic activity, tectonic shifts, and patient erosion that shaped the Beaverhead Mountains visible to the east. The campground's wetland areas represent more recent geological history, where river meanders and seasonal flooding created rich habitat pockets. This dynamic landscape offers campers a front-row seat to observe how water, wind, and time continue their eternal dance of creation and change.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

No explicit check-in time mentioned.

Check-out

No explicit check-out time mentioned.

Stay Limit

No specific stay limit mentioned.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Limit of one additional vehicle
guest limit is not explicitly stated.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutCampground includes 8 campsites, with grass tent sites and gravel RV sites. Sites are spaced apart and shaded. Includes group picnic area.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov Scan & Pay App or fee envelopes on-site.

Walk-in AvailabilityAvailable as first-come, first-served starting June 20 annually.

Cancellation PolicyNo changes/cancellations/refunds are allowed for Scan & Pay payments. This system operates similar to cash deposits into a fee tube.

AccessibilityThe campground offers accessible boat ramps and vault toilets, but no additional details on wheelchair accessibility or other ADA-compliant features are provided.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as large and spacious, suitable for both RVs and tents.

PrivacyNo detailed information is available about the privacy levels of the campsites.

Total Campsites8 campsites

Recommended SitesCampground offers spacious, shaded sites near the Salmon River. Tent sites are on grass; RV sites are gravel. Sites closer to the river may offer better views but fill quickly.

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Morgan Bar Campground offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors. Its proximity to the Salmon River allows for fishing, rafting, and tubing. A wetland pond and a riverfront trail provide birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. On-site recreational facilities also include horseshoe pits, bean-bag boards, and a grass volleyball court.

HikingThe campground features a trail that winds around a wetland pond and along almost a mile of the Salmon River's west bank, offering opportunities for easy hiking and wildlife viewing.

FishingFishing opportunities are abundant thanks to the campground's location along the Salmon River.

SwimmingSwimming is possible in the Salmon River; however, no designated swimming areas or safety details are provided.

BoatingThe campground provides a boat ramp, making it suitable for boating activities.

Wildlife viewingThe surrounding area offers excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities. The rock cliffs west of the campground are popular nesting sites for Canada geese.

Winter Activities

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes are a recurring issue, as noted in multiple user reviews. Visitors are advised to be bear aware.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed and fire pits are available at all campsites. Visitors are advised not to move firewood to prevent pest spread.

Emergency ServicesNearest hospital and emergency services are likely located in Salmon, 3.5 miles away.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is available, but no recycling facilities are mentioned in the authoritative sources or user reviews.

Water FeaturesLocated adjacent to the Salmon River with a boat ramp and wetland pond offering water-based recreation and birding.

Camp HostHost available on-site from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Reviewers noted mixed experiences with host management.

Weather at Morgan Bar Campground

Reviews

4.4

43 reviews

Recommended

Morgan Bar Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's peaceful setting, proximity to the Salmon River, and recreational opportunities as key attractions. Mosquitoes are a recurring complaint, though many visitors express enjoyment of their overall experience.

Review Summaries

Based on 43 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews mention the campground's scenic location, adjacent river access, large campsites, affordability ($5 per night), and on-site recreational facilities. Many users appreciate the natural...

Based on 43 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common complaints are about the mosquitoes, which several users describe as relentless. There are also mentions of limited oversight by the camp host, with one reviewer noting a fire left...

Based on 43 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing mosquito repellent and possibly extra drinking water, as one user noted that the available water was 'not great.'

Based on 43 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews indicate that mosquitoes are a significant issue during the warmer months, making late spring and summer less ideal for visitors sensitive to bugs. Fall reviews tend to be more positive, with...

Based on 43 reviews

Camper Quotes

User quotes include: 'I always enjoy camping here. It is so beautiful and peaceful.' (Robin Tui) and 'Great little campground, but the mosquitoes were terrible!' (Chris Verkerk).

Based on 43 reviews