Fishing and riverside camping draw visitors to FR-146, a dirt road that runs 4.5 miles into Sawtooth National Forest before reaching a trailer turnaround. The area has 12 designated dispersed sites, numbered and spread across the road corridor, with some riverfront positions available. Site 2C, the furthest of three spots in area two, sits directly next to the water. No fee applies, but pets are not permitted. Road access opens in mid-May when rangers unlock FR-146, so early-season visitors should confirm the gate status before making the drive. Campers looking for free camping near Sawtooth National Forest will find this corridor notably uncrowded, with Murdock Creek roughly 1.5 miles south as the nearest neighboring campground.
Description
This dispersed campground area is north of Caribou developed campground on the left side of North Fork road. It is situated alongside the North Fork of the Big Wood River.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCougar Dispersed Camping Area is located in Idaho near Ketchum
Coordinates
43.827548 N
114.420642 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/29/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
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 Cougar Dispersed Camping Area needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 50 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 2 hrs 42 min from Boise, ID
- 2 hrs 49 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 3 hrs 4 min from Pocatello, ID
