Established Camping
Targhee National Forest Calamity Campground
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
During 2024 Calamity Campground is closed to RVs and all trailers. The road to access the Calamity Campground is closed due to the road continuing to sluff away. A temporary road has been opened to access the campground, however this road is narrow and steep, thus it is closed to trailers. The Calamity Campground will still be open for tent camping on a "First Come First Served" basis. There will not be a camp host or trash service. All trash must be packed out by the individual.
About
USDA Forest Service
Caribou-Targhee National Forest
Overview
Calamity Campground is located along the Snake River drainage at the north end of beautiful Palisades Reservoir at an elevation of 5,700 feet, just 55 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Visitors enjoy boating, water skiing, fishing and canoeing.
Recreation
Palisades Reservoir offers excellent boating, water skiing, swimming and canoeing. Lake and shore fishing are very popular here as well, with wild and stocked cutthroat trout as the predominate species. Kokanee salmon, brown and Mackinaw trout can also be found. A boat ramp and large parking area are located on-site. The Palisades Creek Trail begins nearby, leading hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders to beautiful Upper Palisades Lake and expansive views of Swan Valley.
Facilities
The campground offers several campsites on three loops. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Some sites have a few stairs from the parking spur to the site pad. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided, but there is no electricity. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on a hillside above Palisades Reservoir, affording scenic views from many sites. A mixed forest of lodgepole pine, spruce, fir, aspen and maple trees partially shade the campground. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Nearby Attractions
Big Elk Creek Trail, for hiking, biking and horseback riding, begins at nearby Big Elk Campground and meanders up a beautiful canyon brimming with wildflowers, towering trees and views of the surrounding mountains. Swan Valley and the Snake River offer more great fishing and boating opportunities, as well as rafting, canoeing and numerous trails for hiking, biking, horseback and ATV riding. Fall Creek Falls is 20 miles away, and the Fall Creek area has hundreds of miles of such trails.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Nice and clean campground. Close to a lake
Met a few of my jeep friends here to camp for the weekend. It was easy to find on the gps. The campground was nice and clean. I was able to reserve a site online and my site was ready with my name on it when I arrived. The campground host was super friendly. I was able to have my dog with me at the site. He enjoyed playing in the water. Site has a bear box that was fully functional, picinic table, a fire ring and a place to put your camp stove on which I thought was a nice additon. They were in the process of remodeling a few sites. Would recommend this campground.
Great Spot
The camp spots are well maintained and its easy to get to. The road in is very winding but is completely paved now.
Seems like it’s more established for trailer camping but we did tent camping and it was great. I would camp here again.
Beautiful
The campsite is well maintained and has amazing scenery. I felt that even with how close the sites could be, there was still privacy and trees to separate us from the neighbors.The road coming in is 4-5 miles of curve filled dirt road at various grades making it a challenge. The camp host mentioned they would be paving the road next summer.
Location
Targhee National Forest Calamity Campground is located in Idaho
Directions
From Idaho Falls, Idaho, travel on Hwy. 26 for approximately 50 miles. Turn right off of Hwy. 26, (just before ascending grade to top of dam) and go __ mile, turn right and cross the river following signs to the campground. Distance is approximately 5 miles.
Address
TARGHEE
ID
Coordinates
43.3277778 N
111.215 W