Free and drive-in accessible, Deer Gulch sits just off Highway 93 along the Salmon River in central Idaho, managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at no cost. Getting in requires crossing a narrow bridge, which reviewers note can be tight for wider rigs, though a 30-foot fifth wheel has made it through. No reservations are needed. Just pull across and choose a spot.
The campground spreads out on both sides of the bridge, with more solitude to the left. Sites vary between grassy, shaded areas and open unshaded ground, which works well for satellite setups like Starlink. Metal fire rings are scattered throughout, and vault toilets are on-site and consistently reported as clean and well-stocked. Cell coverage is carrier-dependent: Verizon users have logged full bars, while T-Mobile has shown no signal at all. Highway 93 runs close enough to produce some road noise, though most reviewers describe it as minor. River access is easy and direct, and Jessica R. notes the vault bathroom had "the best kept one I've ever experienced," complete with a mural on the walls.
Dogs have room to run, alcohol is permitted, and there is no fee or hookup infrastructure, so this functions best as an overnight stop or short stay rather than a base camp. Campers passing through the May, Idaho corridor and looking at places to camp around May will find Deer Gulch among the more accessible pull-off options in the stretch. Cottonwood Recreation Site a couple miles southwest provides an alternative for those wanting a different setup along the same route.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsDeer Gulch is located in Idaho near May
Coordinates
44.70145676032411 N
114.04414472423258 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/9/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/9/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
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 Deer Gulch needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 32 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 2 hrs 47 min from Pocatello, ID
- 3 hrs 29 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 4 hrs 10 min from Boise, ID
