Wide open prairie dropping down to the edge of Palisades Reservoir sets the tone at Indian Creek, a free Targhee National Forest campground outside Irwin, Idaho. Sites spread across a flat, exposed landscape with fire rings positioned throughout, some reaching close enough to the water's edge that campers can walk in for a swim or slide a kayak directly off the bank. The reservoir view is broad and unobstructed, with open sightlines across the water toward the surrounding ridgelines.
Highway noise is a consistent reality here. The campground sits in a low point flanked by road grades on both sides, and as David M. notes, "you can hear trucks, engine braking and engines roaring" during the day. Sites closest to the road carry the most noise, while spots further down toward the water provide some separation. The campground draws a mix of tent campers and RVs, including rigs up to 50 feet with electric and water hookups available. Pit toilets are on-site, though the number and condition have varied across different seasons in camper reports.
Fishing and watercraft access draw many visitors. The reservoir has a dirt boat ramp, though driftwood buildup and fluctuating water levels can make trailer launches unreliable. Paddlers and swimmers generally find direct water access workable. Crowd levels shift noticeably by day of week and season. Weekends in July bring heavy use, while early September sees only a handful of campers. Verizon cell coverage has been reported as inconsistent, so satellite internet users may have better luck. Mud near the water is a genuine concern after rain, and several campers have needed assistance getting unstuck from soft ground close to the shoreline.
The access road, formerly paved and now gravel with scattered ruts, is manageable for most vehicles when dry. Drivers towing large trailers should use caution and stick to the established track. Reservations are available, though the free sites along the reservoir operate on a max-stay basis of three to five nights. A gas station with a dump station and trash bins sits nearby down the road, a practical detail for longer stays. Campers planning a longer stretch in the region can find places to camp near Targhee National Forest across a range of settings and amenity levels.
Those wanting a more developed or sheltered setup might consider Blowout Campground Bureau Of Land Management just to the north, or Indian Creek Road Dispersed Targhee NF for a more spread-out, primitive experience along the same corridor.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsIndian Creek is located in Idaho near Alpine
Coordinates
43.24732204 N
111.10484728 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 8/5/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 8/5/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/5/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 8/5/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 18 usersLast on 8/5/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/5/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Indian Creek needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 6 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 1 hr 49 min from Pocatello, ID
- 2 hrs 42 min from Logan, UT
- 3 hrs 17 min from Ogden, UT






























