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Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Big Bayhorse

5 Reviews

About

National Forest

Salmon-Challis National Forest

A beautiful high mountain lake is the setting for this out-of-the-way campground. Plenty of fishing in lakes and streams. Good hiking and ATV trail access. Campsite facilities include picnic tables and fire rings with cooking grills. Within the campground, there are vault toilets and a day-use picnic area. On Bayhorse Lake campers will find a boat launch and two boat docks for use by non-motorized watercraft.

This dirt road is narrow and steep and while trailers are allowed, caution is advised; best fit for trailers and motorhomes less than 32 feet long. No drinking water is on-site, and please pack out your trash.

Fee Info

No fee at this time

Reservation Info

No reservations taken

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Location

Big Bayhorse is located in Idaho

Directions

From Stanley: The Bayhorse Road (Forest road #051) takes off Highway 75, 19 miles downriver from the Yankee Fork Work Center Office. It passes the old Bayhorse mining town and continues upward and onward to Big and Little Bayhorse Lakes. This dirt road is narrow and steep. From Challis: approximately six miles east on Highway 75, turn right onto Forest Road #051 (at sign), and continue upward and onward 7 miles to Big Bayhorse Lake. This dirt road is narrow and steep.

Coordinates

44.41100066 N
114.40000082 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Kevin C.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2023

Weekend trip with the new camper

This place is absolutely gorgeous. The road can be a bit sketchy in spots but all in all not completely difficult. I did it with my Tacoma pulling a tiny camper but when I arrived at the lake, there were much larger vehicles than mine already there.

The vault bathrooms were clean, and I met one of the rangers while I was there who was super friendly.

This area is open range, and there are cattle roaming the grassland next to the lake. Watch your step on the paths around the site. Haha.

Month of VisitSeptember

(7) View All

Beth B.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Worth the drive!

This place was recommended by our camp host in lower Idaho. We made the drive up in our F-350 diesel and it felt sketchy in a few places. Took about 45 min. When we got to the top and saw others had towed their trailers up we were in shock. On a Thursday evening at 8:30 pm there was one site left… we were shocked how many were there. By Friday morning several had left and we learned a large wedding had taken place.. Saturday morning even fewer campers were there. Easily could find a spot on a weekend (unless a random wedding is happening!) Very quiet and the sky view at night was amazing… clear view of the Milky Way! Fishing was perfect for young boys that need to catch something frequently to keep them engaged. Caught 6 trout in the first hour. Wish we had our kayaks because the docks filled fast.

No one seemed cautious of bears, and we didn’t see signs but were told they have been seen before. We left early only because we didn’t have enough water. Bring plenty for drinking and other daily uses!

Will definitely be coming back!

Sitefurthest back in the loop

Month of VisitAugust

Annie C.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2021

Quiet and pretty

Up a long, windy, rocky, dirt road 8 miles you will find a sweet little lake (Big Bayhorse Lake) and a small campground. Try and get a site at the top, even tho it puts you closer to the vault toilet. The top sites are the most level. But if you don’t plan on pitching a tent, the lower sites are pull thru and you almost get a view of the lake. Bring your own water and plan on packing out your trash. The forest service comes up once a week or so to clean the bathrooms. On your way up be sure to stop at the Bayhorse State Park Ghosttown. Really well preserved and they are doing more work to continue to preserve the old mining town.

Month of VisitAugust

(10) View All

Jamie M.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2021

Road to campsite difficult

We only made it partially up the steep narrow road before our truck started to over heat.

Month of VisitJuly

Derek S.

Scout

Reviewed Apr. 27, 2020

Beautiful Alpine Lake

No overnight camping near the dock but the sites when you first drive in are excellent too. Beautiful lake with fishing. Great spot for a day trip too.