Established Camping
Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground
About
USDA Forest Service
Boise National Forest
Overview
Bad Bear Campground is located 48 miles northeast of Boise, Idaho, in a scenic Ponderosa pine forest along Highway 21 at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant. Historic Idaho City is just 11 miles south. Mores Creek runs adjacent to the site, offering whitefish and rainbow trout fishing. Highway 21, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, snakes along Mores Creek to Mores Creek Summit, Gold Fork, and Banner Ridge with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forest.
Recreation
Numerous trail opportunities are in the area, offering hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATVing. In winter, the area becomes a playground for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.
Facilities
This campground contains 6 sites that can accommodate up to 6 people each. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided. The site is in an open area with shade. Vault toilets are provided. Parking spurs are paved. Due to its proximity to the highway, some noise from passing traffic is to be expected. No trash service.
Nearby Attractions
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
LegendNice 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.
- (10) View All
TravelerNice 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.
Location
Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground is located in Idaho
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