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Established Camping

Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground is situated near Idaho City, surrounded by forested terrain. Temperatures range from 20°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Visitors can explore the nearby Kirkham Hot Springs and the historic Idaho City area.

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Location

Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Directions

From the Idaho City Ranger Station, drive north on Highway 21 for almost 10 miles, then turn left at the sign for Bad Bear Campground. Bad Bear Campground is located at milepost 48, just beyond Ten Mile Campground.

Address

P.O. Box 129
Idaho city, ID 83631

Coordinates

43.9086111 N
115.6963889 W

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Connectivity

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    Good Coverage

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups

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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2020

Nice Campground

This is a large camping and day use area.  Most of the campsites are across Highway 21 (not on the river side).  There is a picnic area/day use area on the river side with its own restroom, so you don't have to cross the road back to camp if you need one.  The campsites are spacious with lots of room to park.  It is right on Highway 21 so there is a little road noise.  That said, there is not a lot of traffic so it's not really a big deal.

  • Review photo of Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground by Amy S., October 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground by Amy S., October 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground by Amy S., October 31, 2020
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Reviewed Jul. 7, 2019

Nice little campground. Small sites.

Bad Bear is a nice little campsite outside of Idaho City. The sites are good size with adequate privacy. There is lots of tree cover for shade during those warm summer days, and a babbling brook at the back of the campground. Each site had a picnic table, fire ring, and there is a well for water and a vault toilet. We enjoyed our stay here, mostly because there wasn't anyone else camping in the campground when we were there in mid-July! Score! We grabbed the big site, but the other sites seemed a bit small. Would recommend for a easy campsite close to Idaho City and just a quick little jaunt from Boise.

Site003
Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Bad Bear Campground?

Bad Bear Campground features spacious sites with good privacy and plenty of shade from tree cover - particularly welcome during warm summer days. The campground is divided with sites on both sides of Highway 21, with some campsites across from the river area. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, and the campground has water available from a well. There's also a dedicated day-use picnic area on the river side with its own restroom facilities, eliminating the need to cross back to camp. The peaceful brook at the back of the campground adds to the natural ambiance.

Are there photos of Bad Bear Campground available online?

Photos of Bad Bear Campground are typically available through the U.S. Forest Service website, recreation.gov, and various camping platforms. These images usually showcase the campground's spacious sites, abundant tree cover providing shade, picnic areas, and the nearby brook. For the most current and comprehensive visual representation, check the official Boise National Forest website or contact the ranger district directly.

Where is Bad Bear Campground located in Idaho?

Bad Bear Campground is located just outside of Idaho City in the Boise National Forest. The campground sits alongside Highway 21 with portions of the campground on both sides of the road. A peaceful babbling brook flows at the back of the campground, providing a tranquil natural setting. Its proximity to Idaho City makes it a convenient base for exploring the surrounding forest areas while still being accessible from Boise.