Overview Big Eddy Campground is located approximately 15 miles north of Banks, Idaho, just off Highway 55 at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The North Fork Payette River flows next to the highway, where whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities. Big Eddy used to be a water stop for the old steam engines. The foundation of the old water tower can still be seen across the river. Big Eddy Campground is one of 4 campgrounds that lie along State Highway 55, on the North Fork of the Payette River between Banks and Smiths Ferry. Natural Features: The campground is situated is a scenic canyon just above Highway 55. The mountains are forested with a mix of Ponderosa and lodgepole pines and shade is plentiful within most of the campground. Summer days are warm, reaching 80-90 degrees; nights are cooler. Recreation: The North Fork Payette River is a very popular location for whitewater rafting and kayaking. The Payette Whitewater Roundup is held annually in July along different sections of the river. Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.

Big Eddy Campground

## Overview

Cold Springs Campground is one of four campgrounds along Idaho's State Highway 55, next to the North Fork of the Payette River. This area is a popular location for river rafting trips and camping. This campground rests at 3,878 feet.

## Recreation

The North Fork of the Payette River is a very popular location for expert kayaking. Whitewater rafting is nearby on the Main and South Fork sections of the Payette River.   
  
Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.

## Facilities

This campground has five sites situated as a group area, each with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided. Because of its proximity to the highway, some noise from passing traffic is to be expected.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated in a scenic canyon just above Highway 55. The mountains are forested with a mix of ponderosa and lodgepole pines and shade is plentiful within most of the campground. Summer days are warm, reaching 80-90 degrees; nights are cooler. 

## Nearby Attractions

Near the boat and kayak launch of the Payette River.

Cold Springs Campground - Boise Nf (id)

Overview Canyon Campground is located approximately 12 miles north of Banks, Idaho just off Highway 55 at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The North Fork Payette River flows next to the highway, where whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities.The Campground is one of 4 campgrounds that lie along State Highway 55, on the North Fork of the Payette River between Banks and Smiths Ferry. Natural Features: The campground is situated is a scenic canyon just above Highway 55. The mountains are forested with a mix of Ponderosa and lodgepole pines and shade is plentiful within most of the campground. Summer days are warm, reaching 80-90 degrees; nights are cooler. Recreation: The North Fork Payette River is a very popular location for whitewater rafting and kayaking. The Payette Whitewater Roundup is held annually in July along different sections of the river. Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.

Canyon Campground

## Overview

Swinging Bridge Campground is located 10 miles north of Banks, Idaho just off Highway 55 at an elevation of 4,000 feet.   
  
The North Fork Payette River flows next to the highway, where extreme kayaking is a popular activity.

## Recreation

The North Fork of the Payette River is a very popular location for expert kayaking. Whitewater rafting is nearby on the Main and South Fork sections of the Payette River.   
  
Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.

## Facilities

The campground contains single-family sites, each with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided. Roads and parking spurs are paved. Because of its proximity to the highway, some noise from passing traffic is to be expected.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated is a scenic canyon just above Highway 55. The mountains are forested with a mix of Ponderosa and lodgepole pines and shade is plentiful within most of the campground. Summer days are warm, reaching 80-90 degrees; nights are cooler.

Swinging Bridge

## Overview

Eastside Campground is located on the shores of scenic Sagehen Reservoir at an elevation of 4,956 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the non-motorized Sagehen Reservoir Trail. 

## Recreation

Sagehen Reservoir offers great boating, canoeing, and rainbow trout fishing. Boat ramps and docks are located nearby at both Antelope and Sagehen Creek Campgrounds. There is a 15 mph speed limit on the reservoir. Hiking, biking, horse, and ATV trails are abundant in the area. The non-motorized Sagehen Reservoir Trail, a 4-mile loop around the lake, offers great fishing spots, beautiful viewpoints, and wildlife watching opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Sagehen and KYAOTT ATV Trail Systems can be accessed near the reservoir, offering more than 35 miles of trails for ATVs and motorcycles, but hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders can enjoy these trails as well.

## Facilities

The campground is made up of several single sites or serves as one reservable, accessible group site that can accommodate up to 50 people and 10 vehicles. Most of the campsites afford partial lake views. Picnic tables, campfire rings, a vault toilet, and hand-pumped drinking water are provided. A campground host is located at nearby Antelope Campground, where firewood can be purchased.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated in a forest of towering Ponderosa pine, Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, and grand fir. Most sites have plentiful shade. Summer temperatures range from 80 to 90-degree days to cooler nights. A variety of berries and mushrooms can be found throughout the area. Local wildlife includes deer, elk, black bear, goshawk, woodpeckers, and boreal owls.

Eastside

## Overview

Sagehen Creek Campground is located on the shores of the scenic Sagehen Reservoir at an elevation of 4997 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, exploring Joe's Creek Trail, as well as utilizing the non-motorized Sagehen Reservoir Trail. 

## Recreation

Sagehen Reservoir offers great boating, canoeing, and rainbow trout fishing. A boat ramp and dock are located within the campground.There is a 15 mph speed limit on the reservoir. Hiking, biking, horse, and ATV trails are abundant in the area, including Joe's Creek Trail, which begins not far from the campground. The Sagehen Reservoir Trail, a 4-mile loop around the lake, offers great fishing spots, beautiful viewpoints and wildlife watching opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. The Sagehen and KYAOTT ATV Trail Systems can be accessed near the reservoir, offering more than 35 miles of trails for ATVs and motorcycles, but hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders can enjoy these trails as well.

## Facilities

The campground contains several single-family sites, a few of which are accessible, all with picnic tables and campfire rings. Vault toilets and hand-pumped drinking water are provided. Firewood is available for purchase from the host.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated in a forest of towering Ponderosa pine, Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir, and grand fir, which provide plentiful shade in most sites. Some sites afford lake views. Summer temperatures range from 80 to 90-degree days to cooler nights. A variety of berries and mushrooms can be found throughout the area. Local wildlife includes deer, elk, black bear, goshawk, woodpeckers, and boreal owls.

Sagehen Creek

## Overview

Antelope Campground is located on the shores of the scenic Sagehen Reservoir in the Boise National Forest, perched at an elevation of 5031 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the non-motorized Sagehen Reservoir Trail. 

## Recreation

Sagehen Reservoir offers excellent boating, canoeing and rainbow trout fishing. A boat ramp and dock are located within the campground.The speed limit on the reservoir is 15 mph.  
  
Hiking, biking, horse and off-road vehicle trails are abundant in the area. The non-motorized Sagehen Reservoir Trail, a 4-mile loop around the lake, offers great fishing spots, beautiful viewpoints and abundant wildlife watching opportunities.  
  
The Sagehen and KYAOTT ATV Trail Systems can be accessed near the reservoir, offering more than 35 miles of trails for off-road vehicles and motorcycles, but hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders can enjoy these trails as well.

## Facilities

The campground offers a large, tent-only group site that can accommodate up to 30 people, with several picnic tables, a grill and campfire ring. Numerous single-family sites also available, equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings.  
  
  
Vault toilets and hand-pumped drinking water are provided. Roads and some parking spurs throughout the campground are paved; other spurs are gravel. Firewood is available for purchase from the host.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated in a forest of towering Ponderosa pine, Engelmann spruce, Douglas fir and grand fir. Most sites have plentiful shade and some have partial lake views. Summer temperatures range from 80-90 degrees during the day with crisp, cool nights.   
  
  
A variety of berries and mushrooms can be found throughout the area. Local wildlife includes deer, elk, black bear, goshawk, woodpeckers and boreal owls.

Antelope (boise National Forest, Id)

River Pond Campground 

Banks

Overview: Hardscrabble Campground is located approximately 12 miles north of Crouch, Idaho. It is one of 5 campgrounds that lie along the Middle Fork of the Payette River, north of Garden Valley at an elevation of approximately 3,215 feet. The Middle Fork drainage offers excellent trail opportunities. Fishing and hunting are popular activities as well. Natural Features: The campground is situated on the banks of the Middle Fork Payette River among Douglas fir and lodgepole pine trees, which offer partial shade. A few sites offer river views through the dense vegetation on the banks. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the Middle Fork drainage, including deer, elk and red-tailed hawks. Recreation: The Middle Fork Payette River offers good to excellent fishing most of the year. Anglers cast for whitefish and rainbow trout. Many trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback and ATV riding can be found in the area. Check on the Boise National Forest map and the Emmett Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for information about trails and road open to OHV use. The One Spoon Trail, Rattlesnake Trail and 465 ATV Trail are all in the vicinity of the campground. In-season big game hunting for deer, elk and bear is a popular activity in the surrounding mountains.

Hardscrabble Campground

## Overview

Rattlesnake Campground is located 13 miles north of Crouch, Idaho along the Middle Fork Payette River at an elevation of 3621 feet. The Middle Fork drainage offers a variety of excellent trails. Fishing and hunting are popular activities as well. 

## Recreation

The Middle Fork Payette River offers good to excellent fishing most of the year. Anglers cast for whitefish and rainbow trout. Many trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback and ATV riding can be found in the area. The One Spoon Trail, Rattlesnake Trail, and 465 ATV Trail are all in the vicinity of the campground. In-season big game hunting for deer, elk and bear is a popular activity in the surrounding mountains.

## Facilities

The campground can be reserved as one large, accessible group site, which consists of nine single sites and one double site. This group site can accommodate up to 100 people. A two night minimum stay is required on weekends. A three night minimum stay is required on holiday weekends.   
Picnic and utility tables, campfire rings and a picnic shelter are provided. Two accessible vault toilets are also provided. Ten parking spurs are available, each 50-75' in length.   
  
Additional camping is available at nearby Hardscrabble and Trail Creek Campgrounds.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated on the banks of the Middle Fork Payette River among Douglas fir and lodgepole pine trees, which offer partial shade. A few sites offer river views through the dense vegetation on the banks. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the Middle Fork drainage, including deer, elk, and red-tailed hawks.

Rattlesnake

National Forest

my family and i spent 3 1/2 days at the Big Eddy.  the sites are first come first serve. the one we got was right in the middle, next to the bathroom, easy walk to the river.  sites are a decent size for tent or rv, just not so much for both.  there were hosts that came around a couple times to make sure everything was set up as per rules and bathroom was taken care of. very nice people and informative of other sites in the area. the cost was $15/night, which is reasonable.   the only issue i had was tight area for a tent and then parking of my vehicle by my tent trailer.   

Big Eddy Campground

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