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Nature

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site, near Pocatello, Idaho, is a unique spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the frills of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a gravel parking lot surrounded by stunning mountain views, making it a great place to set up for a night under the stars.

Visitors have noted the presence of vault toilets nearby, which adds a bit of convenience. While there’s no drinking water or electric hookups, the site allows campfires, so you can enjoy a cozy evening by the flames. As one camper mentioned, “Nice spot in a gravel parking lot surrounded by small mountains with toilets nearby.”

The area is popular for ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts, especially during the summer months, so expect some activity. However, many campers have enjoyed the peacefulness of the nights, with one noting, “Beautiful views. Very dark at night and quiet.”

If you’re up for a little adventure, the surrounding landscape is perfect for exploring. Just be mindful of the road conditions, as some reviewers mentioned it can be a bit washboard and hilly. Whether you’re passing through or planning a longer stay, Blackrock Canyon offers a straightforward camping experience with plenty of natural beauty to enjoy.

Description

Bureau of Land Management

The Blackrock Canyon is associated with the Chinese Peak – Blackrock Rock Trail System, providing non-motorized and motorized users over 40 miles of trails to utilize for OHV, equestrian, mountain biking and hiking. This site is equipped with sheltered picnic tables, fire rings, vaulted restrooms and 2 trailhead parking lots. Additionally, there is an ATV loading/unloading ramp at the lower lot. Site and trail rules and regulations are posted at the trailheads. The site is closed to shooting year around.

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Location

Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Directions

To reach the trailheads, take Interstate 15 south of Pocatello, Idaho, to the Portneuf Area exit. Go left and then turn on Blackrock Canyon Road to the trailheads.

Coordinates

42.81468213 N
112.33070867 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site needs a permit.


Reviews

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6 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 12, 2024

Great Quick Stop

Good spot to stop for a night. Big gravel parking lot and some hiking trails nearby. Close to the highway.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site by Tara , October 12, 2024
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2023

Great Spot!

Nice spot in a gravel parking lot surrounded by small mountains with toilets nearby. Park on the right as camping is prohibited on the left.

As others have mentioned, dirt bikes and four wheelers are driving by at night & you can just barely hear the cars from the highway. I’m sure I’ll sleep juuuuust fine 😌

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2022

New Changes to this area??

Blackrock Canyon BLM Pocatello, ID 8/4/22 DO NOT trust APP coordinates 42.8145, -112.3307 : Campendium 6/20/22 42.8146,-112.3307 : The Dyrt 6/30/22, 42.8142, -112.3306 : FREE Roam / 2019 These coordinates all lead to a reasonably level, fenced dirt parking lot on the left with a vault toilet and concrete walkway going across the road to a covered picnic/stream area. We were very excited. This is NOT the BLM camping area.... or rather more likely, 'no longer' is? There are 3 new looking signs stating Day Use Only, No Overnight Camping. However there is still a signboard by the toilet with the typical BLM rules/regs & 14 day limit? What's a gal to do? So I called the BLM office listed on the sign to clear up the conflicting sign info. Yep, the aforementioned parking lot is NOT FOR OVERNIGHTCAMPING - again, signs are shiney, no weathering, so this may be a new development? We were told there are 2 BLM camping areas. #1 is ACROSS from the aforementioned parking lot... big DEEPLY graveled area on the right as you come in that steeply slopes down to the picnic table area (our autolevel just laughed at us no matter what we did or where we positioned). #2 is about 1/4m further up where the road loops back on itself, and also has a vault toilet (no concrete walkway). This is a medium parking area inside the loop. Looked doable until we noticed the berm hiding under the grass. At 34' backed in, we'd have either lost the under carriage spare tire, or had our big butt sitting on the ground. So this too was a big nope for us. There is a pullout on the way to the 2nd area, but currently has a 'road closed' sign on it, and another pull out just before the 1st parking area. We could have squeezed into this one, but by this point we were wore out & the thought of all the dust ... just nope. We moved on. This is a GORGEOUS area, if you're a smaller footprint, and can get level. Verizon & ATT both usable but not very strong. Road in is a little washboard and hilly, but doable. I15 underpass ... we're 13'8" on truck & cleared both with no issues. Definitely recommend dropping your rig in the parking lot and scouting out this area 1st.

SiteNone
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2022

Just a Side of road overnight

Roads get narrow with up & down that was too much for my off-road trailer (16in clearance) so stayed on side of road. Quiet, clear unobstructed view of sky for my Starlink.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site by Colin C., June 30, 2022
Reviewed May. 20, 2022

Beautiful Views

Beautiful views. Very dark at night and quiet. Road coming in is not bad at all.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Nov. 24, 2021

Good stop over

This is BLM land. Black canyon is also used for ATVs during the summer months so there is that type of traffic i and users present. We are visiting just before Thanksgiving in November and it's quite quiet here I will add more detail after staying a couple of nights.

Month of VisitNovember

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site?

    Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site is located at 4758 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.