164 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Challis area in Idaho has several camping options that cater to different preferences. You can camp at Challis Hot Springs just three miles from town and use their natural hot pools. Bayhorse Recreation Site sits nine miles from Challis and puts you near old mining sites worth checking out. Round Valley RV Park is close to town, only a mile away, making it easy to grab supplies. Campers who like fishing head to Watts Bridge Campground, nine miles out, where the sites are far apart and the night sky is clear. Deadman Hole, 12 miles from Challis, stays quieter than other spots and has tables with covers near the river. The road to Big Bayhorse gets rough in spots, so trucks and high-clearance vehicles do better there. Salmon River Campground is farther at 37 miles from town but has good fishing and trails nearby. Some of these places need four-wheel drive to reach, particularly after rain or during spring thaw when mud becomes an issue. Most people camp here from late spring through early fall when the weather works best. Summer days get hot, so bring extra water and look for shady sites when possible.
"located about 7 miles from Challis it has great lawn areas for tents, and shaded RV sites along the Salmon River. Playground. Showers."
"showers; camp store with ice; WiFi; wildlife(two mountain goats lead me in on the road); walking trail; shade trees(no hammocks allowed). And it is next to the Snake river. Seriously??"
from $29 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Close to the highway, but noise at night is minimal. No cell reception of any kind. Starlink works."
"Next to highway."
"On a motorcycle trip through Idaho and this place met my needs. It is close to town but no noise from the highway. It was walking distance to grocery store and gas station."
"Stopped here on my road trip around Idaho. Very clean very open great views of the mountains around the valley. Clean restrooms nice showers."
"We walked to the other side of the bridge and let our dogs jump in where the water was calmer. Overall really clean and well maintained space."
"I did it with my Tacoma pulling a tiny camper but when I arrived at the lake, there were much larger vehicles than mine already there."
"This place was recommended by our camp host in lower Idaho. We made the drive up in our F-350 diesel and it felt sketchy in a few places. Took about 45 min."
"Pros: *Views for miles *Steps from the Salmon River *Boat launch for rafting,kayaking,fishing *Covered picnic table *Generous spacing between sites *Serious star gazing opportunities
- Easy drive to Challis"
"Though this campground sits along the highway it is easier to tolerate noise when its free!
The campground loop is gravel and has “pull next to” (bump out?)"
"Just off the highway with good signage right on the Salmon River. 15 fcfs sites. No reservations 2 of those are tent sites, 2 are pull thrus."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Just off the main highway, and only a narrow bridge as an obstacle. There is currently a 30’ish foot big fifth wheel here, so I guess it can handle the weight."
"Fire rings, bathrooms near by. We have a 26 ft TT and this was perfect right off highway. Only stayed one day due to it being a little warm and we were heading up north."
ScoutFor what it's worth, this entire summer trip i had zero issues until I came here and had my camp chair stolen. Also, don't think you're booking a hot springs resort. They drain the hot pools at 8pm. The camp sites are slay incredibly stuffed together
ScoutIts like a regular campground! Minus bathroom. I stayed right on the river. When we came at 6 there were only a couple of spots left.
GuideOnly issue is a giant mud puddle to get back here. Would recommend 4 wheel drive. Might dry out later in the season.
TravelerNice area. Flat spaces good shade. Right near the river and very quiet. Enjoyed our stop over for the night.
TravelerJuly 3. Couldn’t make it. Road wasn’t passable for my truck. Trees and snow.
GuideReally nice sites. Lots of room. Two middle sites are pull through and could handle large RV. Very clean and the Salmon river was nice. Dump station works and water at sites. Lots of trees and shade.
GuideThis spot was great to spend a night passing through. We found some shade (though there isn’t much) and rinsed off in the river after a warm day. It is right along 93 but the cars pass so seldomly it wasn’t a disturbance at all. The vault bathroom was the best kept one I’ve ever experienced and had a lovely mural painted on the walls.
ScoutA great find. Very nice individual full bathrooms, washer and dryer, and coffee pot. I'll be looking to stay here next year.
GuideCame late, it was difficult to navigate to the river with all the varying roads/paths. Parked at a pull over along the rushing river. Two vault toilets.
Challis, Idaho sits at an elevation of 5,253 feet in the Salmon River Valley, surrounded by the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Summer temperatures often climb above 90°F during the day but drop significantly at night, creating challenging conditions for unprepared campers. Campsites near Challis, Idaho range from riverside locations to high mountain lakes, with most sites situated between 5,000-8,000 feet elevation.
Fishing in high mountain lakes: At Big Bayhorse, the fishing is particularly good for families. "Fishing was perfect for young boys that need to catch something frequently to keep them engaged. Caught 6 trout in the first hour," reports Beth B.
Visit the Bayhorse Ghost Town: Located on the road to Big Bayhorse Lake, this historical site makes for an interesting day trip. "Be sure to stop at the Bayhorse State Park Ghosttown. Really well preserved and they are doing more work to continue to preserve the old mining town," advises Annie C.
Explore on mountain bikes: The area offers numerous trails and country roads for cycling. At Challis Hot Springs, Karla B. suggests to "bring your mountain bike or running shoes for a relaxing ride or run on the country access roads."
Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, the night skies are exceptional. Nancy C. describes Deadman Hole as offering "serious star gazing opportunities," while Beth B. notes that at Big Bayhorse "the sky view at night was amazing... clear view of the Milky Way!"
Hot springs access: Challis Hot Springs is highly rated for its natural hot pools. "This place is a true gem. Getting to experience hot springs without hiking to them is so nice," writes Luann. Another camper notes there are "two different hot pools from Hot springs" available to visitors.
Spacious campsites: Many camping spots near Challis offer good separation between sites. At Watts Bridge Campground, "The sites have picnic tables and grills and rock fire pits under a nice shady stand of cottonwoods," according to Annie C.
River proximity: Several campgrounds provide easy river access. At Deer Gulch, Ted T. notes there's a "Great view of the mountains and plenty of sites" right along the river, and Eric G. adds it's "a nice and convenient place to stop. Right along the Salmon river."
Clean facilities: Despite being remote, many campgrounds maintain good standards. At Cottonwood Recreation Site, a camper describes it as "a little gem with easy paved access and paved throughout. Just off the highway with good signage right on the Salmon River."
Road conditions: Access to some campsites requires careful driving. The road to Big Bayhorse Lake can be challenging as Beth B. describes: "We made the drive up in our F-350 diesel and it felt sketchy in a few places. Took about 45 min. When we got to the top and saw others had towed their trailers up we were in shock."
Water availability: Bring extra water for remote sites. "We left early only because we didn't have enough water. Bring plenty for drinking and other daily uses!" advises Beth B. about camping at Big Bayhorse.
Cell reception: Connectivity varies greatly between camping areas. At Deadman Hole, Laura M. reports: "Zero cell reception ATT, verizon or TMobile. The WeBoost was able to give us bars of LTE but still was not very usable."
Highway noise: Campgrounds near the main roads can be noisy. Ted T. notes at Deer Gulch, "93 is close so there is some mild highway noise but nothing unbearable," while Laura M. says about Deadman Hole: "Though this campground sits along the highway it is easier to tolerate noise when its free!"
Look for covered picnic tables: At Deadman Hole, covered tables provide shade during hot days. Nancy C. mentions the campground offers a "covered picnic table" among its amenities, which proves valuable with children.
Consider sites with playground access: Round Valley RV Park offers easy access to town amenities. Joshua P. notes, "It was walking distance to grocery store and gas station," making it convenient for families needing to restock supplies.
Find camping with shallow water access: For safer water play with children, choose sites with gentle river entry. At Watts Bridge, Sonya shares: "We walked to the other side of the bridge and let our dogs jump in where the water was calmer."
Watch for cottonwood fluff: During certain seasons, cottonwood trees shed extensively. Sonya warns about Watts Bridge: "The only thing that will prevent us from coming back is the cottonwood tree droppings. They're everywhere and very sticky, so if you have long haired dogs, it's a nightmare to get them out."
Check bridge clearance: Some camping areas have narrow access points. At Deer Gulch, Kenny R. advises: "Just off the main highway, and only a narrow bridge as an obstacle. There is currently a 30'ish foot big fifth wheel here, so I guess it can handle the weight. Just watch your sides if you are pulling a camper."
Look for pull-through sites: These make setup easier with larger rigs. At Cottonwood Recreation Site, Anne E. notes that of the 15 first-come, first-served sites, "2 of those are tent sites, 2 are pull thrus. The rest are back in with 7 of those being on the rivers edge."
Consider staying at established RV parks for hookups: When needing full services, Round Valley RV Park offers "Many large and well spaced pull through sites, all on gravel. Very little shade. Water, sewer and electric all good. Easy in and out," according to Christine.
Be cautious with sprinkler systems: Some campgrounds have irrigation that can surprise you. As Mack T. warns about Bayhorse Recreation Site: "There is a sprinkler system that randomly comes on all over the campground so be cautious of that. It scared the living crap out of us in the middle of the night."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp at Challis Hot Springs?
Yes, camping is available at Challis Hot Springs, located about 7 miles from the town of Challis. This private hot springs facility offers a variety of camping options including tent sites on great lawn areas and shaded RV sites with electric and water hookups along the Salmon River. The property features two hot springs pools – a large one at approximately 97°F and a smaller one at 107°F. Additional amenities include a playground, boat ramp, volleyball net, walking trails, a camp store with ice, WiFi, and shower facilities. The grounds are family-friendly with plenty of space for recreation, though hammocks are not permitted on the trees.
Is there RV camping available in Challis, Idaho?
Round Valley RV Park offers convenient RV camping within walking distance of Challis amenities, including grocery stores and gas stations. It provides reasonable rates with power and water hookups and is positioned away from highway noise despite its in-town location. Challis Hot Springs is another excellent option located about 7 miles from town, offering RV sites with electric and water hookups along the Salmon River. The campground features shaded spots, WiFi access, and the bonus of two hot springs pools. For those seeking public land camping, several campgrounds around Challis can accommodate RVs, but check site specifics as hookup availability varies.
Where are the best campgrounds near Challis, Idaho?
Challis offers several exceptional camping options. Bayhorse Recreation Site is a clean, well-maintained BLM campground with tables, fire pits, and grills at each spacious site. Located along the Salmon River, it's only 10 minutes from town with a boat ramp and some sites offering direct river access. Deadman Hole provides spectacular views, generous spacing between sites, and is steps from the Salmon River with a boat launch for rafting, kayaking, and fishing. While it lacks shade, it offers serious stargazing opportunities and easy access to Challis for supplies. Other notable options include Thatcher Creek Campground (5 sites with vault toilets and a water pump) and dispersed camping at Winged Fork Place for those seeking solitude.
What is the Custer Motorway and can you camp along it?
The Custer Motorway is a historic backcountry route near Challis that follows the path of an old mining road through the Yankee Fork area of the Salmon River country. Yes, camping is available along this scenic byway. Pole Flat Campground is located near but not directly on the Custer Motorway road, offering 10 nicely spaced sites arranged around a loop with minimal traffic noise. For those seeking more remote options, Blind Creek Campground is situated in the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, about 20 minutes from Stanley. This area provides a quieter alternative to the more popular Stanley Basin campgrounds and doesn't require advance reservations.
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