Bear Creek Dispersed Campground, near Mackay, Idaho, is a fantastic spot for those who crave a little solitude in the great outdoors. Tucked away in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, this area offers a true escape with stunning views of the Sawtooth Mountains and plenty of wildflowers to brighten your stay.

This location is all about the natural experience, with no developed sites or amenities like electric hookups or showers. Visitors have noted the beauty of the nearby creek and the peacefulness of the surroundings, making it a perfect place to unwind. One camper shared, “The road goes for quite a while and you can get to some beautiful creek/forest spots with 4WD.” 

While there are no trash services or drinking water, the campground does have vault toilets, which can be a lifesaver. Just keep in mind that facilities may not always be available, as some campers mentioned that port-a-potties were removed during their stay. 

For those looking to explore, the area is great for hiking, ATV riding, and fishing in pristine alpine settings. Just be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife, as black bears roam the region. Whether you're setting up a tent or parking your RV, Bear Creek offers a rugged and beautiful backdrop for your next adventure.

Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.

Bear Creek Dispersed Campground

Mackay is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Mackay is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Mackay, ID. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

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The Best Camping Near Mackay, Idaho

This is an amazing secluded spot deep into the Sawtooth Mountains of Central Idaho.  We've been coming here for years and my fathers been coming here since the 60's.  Not much has changed except for better upkeep of the roads and the occasional vault toilet that are scattered across the area.  The campground is free to stay at and has a dispersed feeling to it.  There are no developed rings or tables but you can tell where people usually set up camp.  For the most part this is an RV campsite mostly because of how the spots are arranged.  You could put a tent in here if you wanted but there are way better spots just up the road out of the RV'ers reaches.  These forests are pretty wild still so definitely keep an eye out for black bears.  We haven't seen any Grizzly in this area but they are definitely in the Salmon/Challis area which isn't too far away.  Also if you're from Idaho this is a good spot to ride around on your motorcycle or ATV and get some pristine alpine fishing in!

Amazing Scenery and Solitude!!!

Found a couple sites that were cool didnt take any pics this time.

Nice and warm

We enjoyed the nearby creek and beautiful wildflowers that were blooming. Port-a-potties were there when we first set up camp but they were later taken by forest staff which left us without a toilet.

Beautiful camping

The road first takes you through a canyon with a few dispersed spots with tables and fire pits. Saw one vault toilet too. As you continue to this spot, there’s lots of places to pull off and camp. The road goes for quite a while and you can get to some beautiful creek/forest spots with 4WD. Lots of wildflowers :) 

Photos of Bear Creek Dispersed Campground

Real photos from real campers