Poverty Flat

Star0
2 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$10/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

April 15, 2025 - Oct...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens null site

Get Directions
Poverty Flat
$10.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Campsites cost $10 per night for both walk-in tent sites and standard non-electric sites.
Standard Site Fee$10.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$10.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$20.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
nullnull

What Campers Say

N/A

Limited Reviews

Based on 2 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

hikingsites

"User reviews for Poverty Flat offer a positive outlook on the campground, highlighting its natural beauty, accessibility, and essential amenities. Key themes include the scenic riverside location, well-maintained facilities, and recreational opportunities."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at Poverty Flat

$10/night

Campsite fees

Standard Site

Basic tent/RV spot

$10/night

Cancellation: No refunds, modifications, or cancellations are allowed with the Scan and Pay system.

Prices verified November 27, 2025

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


Best Time to Camp at Poverty Flat

While winter's grip holds tight to nearby Lick Creek Pass until July, Poverty Flat awakens earlier to spring's gentle touch. From mid-July through October, the campground truly shines, offering pristine camping conditions under clear mountain skies. Spring visitors are rewarded with moderate temperatures and accessible trails, making it an ideal basecamp for early-season explorations when higher elevations remain snow-locked.

Spring (Mar-May)

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

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

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
  • Peak Season: April 15, 2025 - October 31, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: April 15, 2025 - October 31, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: null

About Poverty Flat

Discover your riverside retreat at Poverty Flat Campground, where the melodic waters of the South Fork Salmon River create nature's perfect soundtrack. This intimate, paved campground welcomes adventurers with 10 thoughtfully spaced sites, including 4 secluded walk-in tent spots perfect for those seeking a more immersive wilderness experience. Operating on a first-come, first-served basis, this hidden gem invites spontaneous escapes—simply arrive, claim your spot, and use the convenient Recreation.gov app's Scan and Pay system to complete your stay.
Poverty Flat Campground caters to a range of camping preferences with 10 campsites, including 4 walk-in tent sites and standard non-electric sites. It is suitable for both tent and self-contained RV camping. However, there are no group or cabin accommodations available.
Historical Significancenull
Weather and SeasonsWhile winter's grip holds tight to nearby Lick Creek Pass until July, Poverty Flat awakens earlier to spring's gentle touch. From mid-July through October, the campground truly shines, offering pristine camping conditions under clear mountain skies. Spring visitors are rewarded with moderate temperatures and accessible trails, making it an ideal basecamp for early-season explorations when higher elevations remain snow-locked.
Elevationnull
Natural Features and SceneryEmbrace the raw beauty of Idaho's backcountry at Poverty Flat, where towering alpine forests frame your riverside sanctuary. The South Fork Salmon River flows past your doorstep, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the rugged peaks that define this corner of the Payette National Forest. As one of the area's first snow-free destinations each spring, the campground offers front-row seats to nature's annual awakening—watch wildflowers paint the meadows while snowmelt streams cascade down distant mountainsides.
Geological RegionCarved into the heart of the Payette National Forest, Poverty Flat occupies a privileged position along the South Fork Salmon River corridor. This dramatic landscape showcases Idaho's geological artistry, where ancient forces sculpted rugged terrain into today's alpine wonderland. Thanks to its strategic location, the campground emerges from winter's blanket earlier than its high-country neighbors, offering eager campers an early-season gateway to the region's spectacular backcountry.
Advertisement

Campsite details

Sites SizeThe campground features 10 campsites, including 4 walk-in tent sites. The remaining sites are standard; sizes are not specified.
Total Campsites10 campsites
Recommended Campsitesnull

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Null
Check-out
Null
Guests Allowed Per Site
Null
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutIncludes 10 campsites, 4 of which are walk-in tent sites.
Open and Closed SeasonApril 15, 2025 - October 31, 2025.
Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov mobile app, Scan and Pay feature.
Walk-in AvailabilityAll campsites are first-come, first-served.
Cancellation PolicyNo refunds, modifications, or cancellations are allowed with the Scan and Pay system.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Poverty Flat offers a range of outdoor recreational activities catering to hikers, anglers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and water sport enthusiasts. As the trailhead for a vast trail system, visitors can explore numerous loop hikes of varying lengths and difficulties. The South Fork Salmon River serves as a popular fishing destination, but users must note that it is catch-and-release only. Floating enthusiasts can also use the campground as a take-out point from Goat Creek. Nearby attractions, such as hot springs, provide additional leisure opportunities.
Hiking
The campground is the trailhead for an extensive trail system, offering loop hikes of varying lengths and levels of difficulty. Trails are open to hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and trail bikes.
Fishing
Fishing is permitted in the South Fork Salmon River. However, it is catch-and-release only, as highlighted by user Trevor V: "If you want to eat fish, bring your own, because it is catch and release up here." The river is popular for its fishing opportunities.
Biking
Mountain biking is allowed on the trail system connected to the campground, offering challenging terrains and scenic routes.
Boating
The campground serves as a take-out point for those floating the South Fork Salmon River from Goat Creek. Specifics about boating types or docking facilities are not available.
Advertisement

Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed
  • Campfires are permitted within designated fire rings only.
  • Quiet hours are null

Hazards

General hazardsNarrow road access with blind corners may pose a hazard while driving. Wildlife encounters possible due to the remote forest location.
Active alertsnull

Weather at Poverty Flat

40
°F
Dec 7
Sunday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%

Strong wind, exercise caution

Humidity: 79%

High humidity, may feel muggy

Wind: 11.7 mph

Strong wind, exercise caution

Overcast

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast

Emergency Services

null

Good to know

Peak season datesApril 15, 2025 - October 31, 2025.
Trash and recyclingVisitors must pack out all their trash as no disposal services are available. This pack-in/pack-out policy is strictly enforced.
Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to the South Fork Salmon River, a notable fishing destination.
Common complaintsNarrow, one-lane road leading to the campground could make access difficult—a concern mentioned by official sources.
Hostnull

Campground Map

Driving directionsFrom McCall, go 30 miles northeast on Forest Road 48 (Lick Creek Road), then 13 miles south on FR 674 (South Fork Road). The South Fork corridor is about 30 miles from Cascade along the Warm Lake Highway. Usually by July, Lick Creek Pass (Road #48) is snow-free, providing a faster access from McCall (35 miles) to the South Fork corridor. Please follow posted speed limits and drive carefully, the South Fork Road is a paved, narrow, one-lane road with two-way traffic and many blind corners.
The South Fork Road is paved but narrow with two-way traffic and many blind corners. The southern-most 7 miles are on the Boise National Forest. Snow can block access until July.
Nearby places
McCall, 35 miles northeast
Cascade, 30 miles.
Nearby supplies
null

Reviews from booking and map sources

0.0
2 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Poverty Flat has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Poverty Flat offer a positive outlook on the campground, highlighting its natural beauty, accessibility, and essential amenities. Key themes include the scenic riverside location, well-maintained facilities, and recreational opportunities.
Review Summaries
Based on 2 reviews

What Campers Love

The campground is praised for its paved standard and walk-in sites, proximity to the South Fork Salmon River, and recreational activities such as hiking and fishing. User Trevor V noted: "It is a...
Show more
Based on 2 reviews

Common Concerns

No complaints were explicitly mentioned in the provided user reviews; however, the emphasis on packing out all trash and the lack of hookups may be drawbacks for some campers.
Based on 2 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors are advised to download the Recreation.gov app before arriving due to limited cell service and to bring their own firewood and trash disposal bags. Additionally, checking out the nearby hot...
Show more
Based on 2 reviews

Seasonal Insights

As the area is among the first to be snow-free in spring, it is a popular destination during this season. No specific reviews addressed seasonal experiences, but its accessibility during snow-free...
Show more
Based on 2 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. Trevor V: "It is a beautiful campground right off the river with plenty of room for campers and tents alike." 2. Allison Braley: "Love this campground! Its about 13 miles down the southfork road....
Show more
Based on 2 reviews

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5


Last updated November 27, 2025
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Campgrounds
Poverty Flat