Map showing campground location near Stanley, Idaho

Camper submitted image from Upper O'Brien Campground

Upper O'Brien Campground

Accessible via a dirt road that crosses a bridge, Upper O'Brien Campground sits above the Salmon River in Challis National Forest. The Forest Service manages this small loop campground from June through Labor Day, charging $18 per night for sites that vary in size and shade coverage. Sites include fire pits and picnic tables, though fire restrictions may apply during dry conditions.

Vault toilets and a water pump serve the campground, along with trash service and dumpster access. The powdery dirt creates dusty conditions, and highway noise carries from the nearby road, though it diminishes in the evening hours. River sounds provide a natural backdrop. Campers can walk easily to the Salmon River for fishing access, and dirt roads extend past the Lower O'Brien Campground for hiking and biking. Cell service remains unavailable across major carriers, and pets are not permitted.

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Location

Public Campground

Upper O'Brien Campground is located in Idaho

Coordinates

44.2585 N
114.6975 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Trash
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol

Contact

General Info

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Drive Time

2 hrs 52 min from Idaho Falls, ID
3 hrs 8 min from Pocatello, ID
3 hrs 18 min from Boise, ID
3 hrs 45 min from Twin Falls, ID

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out of 5

2 Reviews

Laura M.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2022

Good View of the River

Take the dirt road down the hill and across the bridge to get to the upper area of this campground. The lower section was closed when we went.

The campground was an open area with lots of shade, not very private but still nice as it sits above the Salmon River. The lower part is closer to the water but from here the walk is easy and close. Each site had fire pit, and picnic table. The sites vary in size and degree of levelness. It was quite dusty with powder-like dirt. There are pit toilets and dumpsters but no recycling. Fires are not allowed at this time due to fire restrictions. We were the only ones here!

Of course there is the highway noise which dies down later in the day but you also get to hear the river. Hiking and biking along the dirt roads down past the Lower portion of this campground.

$18/night

Zero cell reception ATT, Verizon or TMobile

Art S.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

A welcoming place with a view of the river

As I drove in to the campground a woman flagged me down. After a hello, she pointed out the sites with shade. ‘Take a look at site 5.’ Some of the sites have more sun and some have more room. It’s a small campground so drive around the loop. Vault toilets are clean and there is a water pump

This campground is right along a river that is popular with rafters and fishers. We also took a drive to see the Custer Museum. It’s quite a few miles down a gravel road - take your time and enjoy the scenery. You also pass the drudging museum. Stop in to find out what that means. This is a nice campground in the east of the Sawtooth Mountain area.

Month of VisitJuly