Deer Creek Trailhead

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End of Deer Creek Rd. No. 097

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Ketchum Ranger District site

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Deer Creek Trailhead
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fees are required for this site.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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USFS
Provider
208-622-5371

What Campers Say

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Fees & Passes at Deer Creek Trailhead

Free

Campsite fees

Stay Limit: Not specified.

Cancellation: Not applicable due to non-reservable status.

Prices verified November 17, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Ketchum Ranger District website.


Best Time to Camp at Deer Creek Trailhead

Experience the dramatic seasonal transformation of Idaho's high country, where winter's crystalline landscape gives way to sun-drenched summer adventures. During the coldest weeks, temperatures hover around 30°F during the day before plunging to a crisp 10°F at night, with generous snowfall blanketing the trails. But come summer, the mercury climbs to a perfect 83°F under brilliant blue skies. Plan your visit during the golden weeks of late June through mid-July (weeks 26-28) when warm temperatures, bone-dry trails, and endless sunshine create ideal conditions for exploration. Avoid early January's deep freeze or late May's unpredictable storms for the best experience.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Unknown.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round (due to lack of closure information).
  • Current Alerts: None stated.

About Deer Creek Trailhead

Tucked away at the end of Deer Creek Road, this hidden gem serves as your gateway to adventure on the Deer Creek Trail No. 158 and Kinsey Creek Trail No. 319. As one of the Ketchum Ranger District's best-kept secrets, Deer Creek Trailhead offers a peaceful escape from the crowds, complete with essential amenities including a vault toilet and interpretive signage that brings the local landscape to life. What makes this spot truly special is its access to some of the only narrow-track OHV trails (under 50 inches) in the entire district—a rare find for riders seeking technical challenges through pristine forest terrain.
Deer Creek Trailhead is not a traditional campground. It serves primarily as an access point for trails and off-highway vehicle use. There are neither designated campsites nor accommodations for tent, RV, or group camping.
Historical SignificanceWhile the official records may be sparse, these trails have quietly served generations of outdoor enthusiasts, from early forest rangers to modern-day adventurers seeking solitude in the Sawtooth wilderness.
Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal transformation of Idaho's high country, where winter's crystalline landscape gives way to sun-drenched summer adventures. During the coldest weeks, temperatures hover around 30°F during the day before plunging to a crisp 10°F at night, with generous snowfall blanketing the trails. But come summer, the mercury climbs to a perfect 83°F under brilliant blue skies. Plan your visit during the golden weeks of late June through mid-July (weeks 26-28) when warm temperatures, bone-dry trails, and endless sunshine create ideal conditions for exploration. Avoid early January's deep freeze or late May's unpredictable storms for the best experience.
ElevationPerched in the mountain foothills where the air grows thin and the views expand, this trailhead offers that perfect high-country feel without venturing into extreme alpine territory.
Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a classic Idaho forest setting where towering conifers create natural cathedral ceilings overhead. The interconnected trail system winds through diverse terrain perfect for hiking boots, mountain bike tires, or OHV tracks. Whether you're spreading a picnic blanket in a sunny meadow or navigating technical trail sections, the landscape offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation in a pristine forest environment that feels worlds away from civilization.
Geological RegionNestled within the magnificent Sawtooth National Forest, this area showcases the region's signature forested mountains and valleys. The terrain here has been naturally sculpted to create an OHV paradise, with trails threading through geological features that challenge riders while preserving the delicate forest ecosystem. The unique topography supports some of the only sub-50-inch OHV trails in the region, making this a distinctive destination within the greater Sawtooth landscape.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityThere is no specific mention of accessibility features for visitors with disabilities.
Sites SizeNot applicable, as this site is a trailhead, not a traditional campground.
Sites PrivacyPrivacy levels are not applicable due to the nature of the site as a trailhead.
Total Campsites0 campsites
Recommended CampsitesRecommendations would include bringing your own water as potable water is not available. Avoid winter camping unless prepared for frigid conditions.

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Not applicable.
Check-out
Not applicable.
Stay Limit
Not specified.
Guests Allowed Per Site
Not specified.
Groups
Group camping is not a feature of this trailhead.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTrailhead layout with a vault toilet and interpretive sign. No designated site divisions mentioned.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round (due to lack of closure information).
Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are not accepted.
Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are walk-in/first-come-first-served.
Cancellation PolicyNot applicable due to non-reservable status.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Activities focus on outdoor recreation at Deer Creek Trailhead, including mountain biking, hiking for both day trips and backpacking, OHV trail riding, and picnicking. These activities cater to outdoor enthusiasts who prefer rugged and less-developed environments.
Hiking
The site offers access to two trails: Deer Creek Trail No. 158 and Kinsey Creek Trail No. 319. These trails accommodate both day hikes and multi-day backpacking trips.
Biking
Mountain biking is supported, with trails likely offering rugged terrain suitable for experienced bikers.
Winter Activities
Winter activities are not mentioned, and the site's primary focus is on summer outdoor recreation.
Water Sports
Water-based recreation is not pertinent to this site.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Not specified.
  • Quiet hours are Not specified.

Hazards

General hazardsPotential hazards include snow accumulation during winter months and lack of potable water. No mention of wildlife dangers such as bears.
Active alertsNone stated.

Weather at Deer Creek Trailhead

36
°F
Dec 7
Sunday
Mainly clear
Precipitation: 0%

Moderate wind, may affect light items

Humidity: 76%

High humidity, may feel muggy

Wind: 7.9 mph

Moderate wind, may affect light items

Mainly clear

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast
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Emergency Services

Ketchum Ranger District Office (9 miles south), hospital/police/fire services in Ketchum.

Good to know

Peak season datesUnknown.
Trash and recyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not mentioned in the provided information.
Proximity to water featuresNo lakes, rivers, or other water features are near the campground.
Common complaintsAbsence of potable water and picnic tables. Accessibility may be difficult in winter due to snow accumulation.
HostNo host information provided.

Campground Map

End of Deer Creek Rd. No. 097
Driving directionsFrom Ketchum, drive south approximately 9 miles on ID 75. Turn west onto Deer Creek Road (Forest Road #097) and drive approximately 9 miles west to the end of the road.
Located at the end of an unpaved road (Deer Creek Rd. No. 097). Accessibility is likely limited during certain weather conditions, though no seasonal closures are explicitly stated.
Nearby places
Ketchum (9 miles
approximately 9 miles south on ID 75), null
Nearby supplies
Ketchum (9 miles south)—supplies, fuel, groceries, and other essentials available in the city.

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0
0 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Deer Creek Trailhead has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
No user reviews are explicitly provided, so camper feedback cannot be summarized.
Review Summaries

What Campers Love

User reviews are not included in the source material.

Common Concerns

No complaints from users are documented.

Pro Tips & Recommendations

There is no user-provided advice available for this site.

Seasonal Insights

There are no seasonal trends from user reviews available.

Camper Quotes

Direct user quotes are not included.

Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews specific to particular sites are documented, as this location is a trailhead rather than a campground.

Accessibility Features

No accessibility reviews are documented.

Pet-Friendly Features

There is no information about pet policies or experiences.

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

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Last updated November 17, 2025
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