Birch Creek Campground

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Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

Check Site

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Free

Booking

Check Site

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office site

Get Directions

Birch Creek Campground

$0.00 - $35.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees for individual campsites; group sites require a fee of $35/night.

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$35.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$35.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-524-7500

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 0 reviews

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"Reviewers describe Birch Creek Campground (Birch Creek Recreation Area) as a free, dispersed-style camping area along a dirt road by the creek. Opinions are mixed: one reviewer appreciates the free camping, while another notes the lack of amenities and shade and describes it as primarily suited to RVs along a linear dirt road."

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Fees & Passes at Birch Creek Campground

Free

Campsite fees

Standard Site

Basic tent/RV spot

Free

Group Site

For large groups

$35/night

Prices verified December 10, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office website.

Best Time to Camp at Birch Creek Campground

Mother Nature recently reminded us of her power here at Birch Creek. A significant storm event brought intense precipitation that dramatically altered the campground, causing flooding and washing out sections of road. The landscape you'll encounter today tells a story of nature's raw force—changed, reshaped, and recovering. We strongly encourage all visitors to contact the forest service for current conditions before heading out, as access points and site availability may differ from what you remember or what older maps show.

Best

Spring (Mar-May)

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

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)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Current Alerts: The Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office warns that an intense precipitation event flooded the campground and washed out roads; visitors should remain cautious.

About Birch Creek Campground

Nestled along the sparkling waters of Birch Creek, this rustic campground offers 25 designated sites plus expansive undeveloped camping areas, serving as your perfect base camp for exploring the vast Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Cast a line for trout right from your campsite, but please note: recent severe weather has reshaped the landscape—exercise caution and check current conditions before your visit.

Mix of developed campsites with amenities and large undeveloped (primitive) camping areas; four reservable group sites accommodate a range of group sizes and vehicle/trailer parking.

Historical SignificanceYour journey to Birch Creek begins with a step back through one of America's most poignant chapters. At the main entrance, interpretive panels mark an official stop along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, where you can pause to understand the profound and tragic events that unfolded across this landscape. These thoughtfully crafted displays invite reflection on the resilience and struggle of the Nez Perce people during their 1877 flight toward freedom—a powerful reminder that these mountains and valleys hold stories far deeper than their scenic beauty suggests.

Weather and SeasonsMother Nature recently reminded us of her power here at Birch Creek. A significant storm event brought intense precipitation that dramatically altered the campground, causing flooding and washing out sections of road. The landscape you'll encounter today tells a story of nature's raw force—changed, reshaped, and recovering. We strongly encourage all visitors to contact the forest service for current conditions before heading out, as access points and site availability may differ from what you remember or what older maps show.

Natural Features and SceneryBirch Creek dances through this campground, its clear waters home to brook, rainbow, and the occasional brown trout that tempt anglers to try their luck. The creek's gentle soundtrack accompanies your stay, whether you've claimed one of the established sites or ventured into the more primitive camping areas stretching south of the middle access point. Beyond your campsite, the sprawling Caribou-Targhee National Forest beckons—a wilderness playground of alpine meadows, dense timber, and mountain peaks waiting to be explored. This is gateway country, where the conveniences of a developed campground meet the wild heart of Idaho's backcountry.

Geological RegionThis campground occupies a scenic corridor where Birch Creek winds through the landscape near the Caribou-Targhee National Forest boundary. The location sits along the historic Nez Perce National Historic Trail, placing visitors at the intersection of natural beauty and cultural heritage in this corner of Idaho's mountain country.

Campsite details

Sites SizeAbout 25 individual campsites plus multiple large undeveloped camping areas south of the middle access; four reservable group sites of varying capacities (see group site description).

Sites PrivacyVaries — developed sites located along the creek; large undeveloped areas offer more dispersed/less-developed camping.

Total Campsites25 campsites

Recommended CampsitesUse caution near eroded areas and washouts; group organizers should plan for sanitation (portable toilets) when reserving large-capacity group sites.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Groups

Four group sites available for reservation at $35/night (reservations must be made 7 days in advance by calling 208-524-7500 or in person at 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401). Group Site 1: accommodates 20–30 people, ~4 trailers plus multiple vehicles, has a steel fire ring, picnic table, adjacent to a restroom. Group Site 2: accommodates 30–40 people, ~6 trailers plus multiple vehicles, has a steel fire ring, picnic table, adjacent to a restroom. Group Site 3: accommodates 100+ people with many trailers/vehicles, close to a restroom, no steel fire ring or picnic tables. Group Site 4: accommodates 100+ people with many trailers/vehicles, no steel fire rings or picnic tables
large groups are advised to rent additional portable toilets or use facilities in their camper.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutApproximately 25 campsites are located along Birch Creek, with additional large undeveloped camping areas south of the middle access. Group sites are adjacent to restrooms (Sites 1 and 2) or close to restrooms (Site 3).

Reservation PlatformsGroup site reservations must be made 7 days in advance by calling the Upper Snake Field Office at 208-524-7500 or in person at 1405 Hollipark Drive, Idaho Falls, ID 83401.

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Provides direct access to Birch Creek for fishing and serves as a base camp for recreation in Caribou-Targhee National Forest; the main entrance includes an interpretive stop on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.

Fishing

Easy access for anglers with abundant brook and rainbow trout and some brown trout; suitable for amateur anglers and fly-fishing experts.

Cultural and Educational Programs

A stop on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail at the main entrance features interpretive panels that explain aspects of the area's history.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Many individual sites and some group sites include fire rings (group Sites 1 and 2 have steel fire rings); no general fire restriction or prohibition is specified in the provided information.

Hazards

General hazardsFlood damage has washed out roads and created eroded gaps as deep as 3½ feet; site conditions have significantly changed following the flooding.

Active alertsThe Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office warns that an intense precipitation event flooded the campground and washed out roads; visitors should remain cautious.

Weather at Birch Creek Campground

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 52%

Wind: 9.9 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Proximity to water featuresCampground is located along Birch Creek and provides easy access for fishing.

Campground Map

Birch Creek Campground

Driving directionsFrom Leadore, go south on ID-28 about 50 miles. From Idaho Falls, take I-15 north to ID-33 west. Drive through town of Mud Lake and take ID-28 north about 29 miles. Campground will be on the left.

Accessible via ID-28; from Idaho Falls use I-15 north to ID-33 west, through Mud Lake, then ID-28 north.

Nearby places

Leadore — about 50 miles (per directions). Mud Lake — on route

ID-28 north about 29 miles (per directions). Idaho Falls — directions provided via I-15 and ID-33.

Reviews from booking and map sources

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0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Birch Creek Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers describe Birch Creek Campground (Birch Creek Recreation Area) as a free, dispersed-style camping area along a dirt road by the creek. Opinions are mixed: one reviewer appreciates the free camping, while another notes the lack of amenities and shade and describes it as primarily suited to RVs along a linear dirt road.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Campers appreciate that it is a free place to camp and that it offers dispersed-style sites along Birch Creek. The presence of BLM-installed pit toilets in several spots is also noted as a...

Common Concerns

A reviewer mentions there are no picnic tables and little shade, which may reduce comfort for tent campers or daytime use. The area is described as a long linear dirt road with mostly RV sites, which...

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Expect very basic, dispersed-style camping with few amenities: bring your own seating, tables, and shade if needed. Plan for RV or vehicle-based camping, as the area is described as mostly RV sites...

Camper Quotes

"Good place to camp for free" "Long linear dirt road paralleling Birch Creek. BLM has installed pit toilets in several places. Seems to be mostly RV sites in a dispersed camping style. No picnic...