Camper submitted image from Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site - 1

View Photos

Camper submitted image from Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site - 4
People
Unlock Planning Tools in App
pro

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

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.

Suggest an Edit

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

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

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.


2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

50%
38%
13%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 10, 2025

Gorgeous peaceful mountain stop!

Incredible Mountain View’s. Several pull outs on gravel road. Not a problem with 24’ Class C. There are other trials for ATVs but plenty of nice spots for RVs or tents!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site by Jessica B., September 10, 2025
  • Review photo of Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site by Jessica B., September 10, 2025
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2025

Quiet parking lot tucked in rolling hills conveniently located

A short dirt road that’s well maintained leads up to a rock/gravel parking lot. As another reviewer said, the right is for camping, while the left is day use only. There’s a very clean toilet well stocked with toilet paper. A friendly ranger stopped by to say hi, otherwise there was no one around camping or using the site. There’s a cute little stream that runs below the site as well.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site by Aly D., June 13, 2025
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

Where is Black Rock Canyon located in Idaho?

Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site is located near Pocatello, Idaho. It's situated on BLM land and accessible via a well-maintained dirt road that leads to a gravel parking lot. The recreation site is surrounded by small mountains offering beautiful views. It's positioned close enough to hear distant highway sounds but remains relatively peaceful. The exact location features a parking area with designated camping on the right side.

What recreation activities are available at Black Rock Canyon?

Blackrock Canyon offers several outdoor recreation opportunities. The area is popular for ATV and dirt bike riding, particularly during summer months when trail traffic increases. Hiking trails are available nearby for exploration. The site is also excellent for stargazing due to dark night skies with unobstructed views. Additionally, visitors can enjoy the scenic mountain landscapes and general outdoor relaxation in this natural setting.

Is free camping available near Black Rock Canyon and Pocatello?

Yes, free camping is available at Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site near Pocatello. This is BLM land that permits dispersed camping at no cost. The designated camping area is on the right side of the gravel parking lot (the left side is for day use only). The site includes basic amenities like vault toilets that are generally well-maintained and stocked with toilet paper. Remember that while camping is free, visitors should follow proper dispersed camping etiquette and BLM regulations.

How far is Black Rock Canyon from Lava Hot Springs?

Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site is approximately 30-35 miles from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. The drive typically takes about 35-40 minutes depending on traffic and road conditions. This makes Blackrock Canyon a reasonable option for those wanting to visit Lava Hot Springs during the day while having a free camping option nearby. For the most accurate directions, use the coordinates for the recreation site rather than relying solely on app navigation, as some visitors have reported coordinate discrepancies.