Bumblebee Meadow Campground
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Reviewed Aug. 14, 2020

Official dispersed camping in meadow near creek.

This is a official dispersed camping campground- though that seems an oxymoron to me. It is down a dirt track off Hwy 209, near the official Bumblebee campground. 

A short ways down the track you encounter the information board. There find a map of the campground and regulations. This is a no-fee campground with maximum stay of 14 days. Near the board is a porta-potty. Probably seasonal. Gravel tracks lead to the 7 designated sites. The 7 designated sites are well dispersed. We did not survey the camp ground but did see that most had RV or large tents. 

Vehicles and ORVs are restricted to these gravel tracks only and not allowed to drive off them. This rule is stated on the information board, but careful reading is needed.  My impression is that this meadow got heavy dispersed camping use in the past and the USFS redeveloped it and restricted where people can camp.

Near the information board there are three unofficial sites where the meadow has been cut down and a fire pit built. You cannot drive into these sites or park a trailer in them but you can pitch a tent and camp there. Cars can be parked by the information board, about 100 yards away. It is not obvious that you can’t park in these sites but I’m sure this is the case. The ranger came through several times in the evening. She told a group in one of the other sites they could be fined several hundred dollars for parking in the meadow. She waved at us, camping with out car, and then told someone who had parked a camping trailer to pack up and move on. So, they are serious about cars on designated roads only. 

We camped there on a Friday in late July, arriving about 5pm and were fortunate to find one empty meadow site. Through the evening we saw many vehicles drive through looking for sites. This was the time of COVID when camping vacations were very popular. However, I think that camping in this valley is very popular and most sites occupied during the summer, especially weekends. 

For myself, I would not come here as a destination. The meadow sites had little privacy (neighbors shared their music with us). The designated sites are more private but do not look particularly beautiful. The road is near by and gets a medium amount of traffic.

My impression is that people come here to float the Coeur d'Alene River.

Month of VisitAugust