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Best Dispersed Camping near Challis, ID

49 Reviews

The Challis area of central Idaho features predominantly dispersed camping options along the Salmon River and surrounding mountain terrain. Deadman Hole Recreation Site provides riverside camping with vault toilets and drinking water, while Deer Gulch offers similar riverside access with basic amenities. Most sites in the region are primitive BLM or Forest Service lands with established fire rings but minimal facilities. Mosquito Flat Reservoir, operating seasonally from May through September, provides lakeside camping opportunities. The surrounding Sawtooth National Forest and Challis National Forest lands contain numerous unmarked dispersed sites accessible via forest roads, particularly along East Fork Road and Highway 93.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the camping areas near Challis. As one camper noted, "On left, out East Fork Rd from Challis. Long ways. Decent dirt road but great drive." Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after spring runoff when washboarding and ruts develop. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent at most sites, with several reviewers mentioning signal boosters providing minimal improvement. Weather patterns change rapidly in this mountainous region, with summer thunderstorms common and early snow possible by late September. The Sawtooth National Forest imposes a 10-day stay limit between May 1 and September 15, with unlimited stays permitted outside that period.

Riverside camping locations receive consistently positive reviews, with the Salmon River access being a primary draw. According to one visitor at Deadman Hole, "Views for miles, steps from the Salmon River, boat launch for rafting, kayaking, fishing." Many sites feature generous spacing between camping areas, though those closer to highways experience road noise. Stargazing opportunities are frequently mentioned as exceptional due to minimal light pollution. Wildlife sightings include elk, deer, and various bird species, though campers should be prepared for insects, particularly mosquitoes in summer months. Fishing access is available at numerous locations, with Big Lost River and Salmon River sites being particularly popular among anglers seeking trout.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Challis, Idaho (25)

    1. Deadman Hole

    4 Reviews
    Clayton, ID
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 879-6200

    "A fire ring, shade cover and picnic table are provided for the five campsites as well as a pit toilet. The river is about a four -8 minute walk or so from most campsites. Very clean"

    "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"

    2. Deer Gulch

    4 Reviews
    May, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 756-2271

    "No dump or water. Lots of sites to the left and right after crossing the bridge."

    "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."

    3. Mosquito Flat Reservoir

    1 Review
    Challis, ID
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 879-4100

    "Near the lake. No water, has vault toilets. Roads can be slick."

    4. Winged Fork Pl Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Clayton, ID
    27 miles

    "On left, out East Fork Rd from Challis. Long ways. Decent dirt road but great drive. Just past private land into National Forest, can see Germainia trailhead from there."

    5. Old Drag campsite

    1 Review
    Stanley, ID
    30 miles

    "Cute campsite with an old dragline excavator next to it. Access to the river, nice little fire ring"

    6. Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping

    7 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 774-3000

    "The roads in to this area, NF-563/Stanley Creek Rd and NF-633/Nip and Tuck Road are in pretty decent shape for all vehicles coming in from the West off of Hwy 21, but be warned, do not come in from the"

    "This stretch of dispersed camping is amazing. Above the town of Stanley and overlooking the Sawtooths."

    7. Indian Springs

    1 Review
    Salmon-Challis National Forest, ID
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 879-4101

    "The campsite is great but getting to it is a challenge, my F-150 was able to do it but anything longer or with less clearance would struggle."

    8. Decker Flats Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    45 miles

    "I wont rattle on about how we were within 2 mins of a hiking trail that leads you to "Hell's Roaring lake", or about the amazing Trout fishing within 10 feet of my tent, or even the stunning sunrises every"

    "There was road noise from the nearby highway but otherwise it was quiet. I saw people fishing so I assume it's good for that. The river is great for rinsing off as well."

    9. Salmon Creek Camp on Loening Road

    2 Reviews
    Salmon, ID
    32 miles

    10. Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    41 miles

    "In this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3."

    "Convenient location to Redfish Lake and Stanley. Road and spots have recently been updated with packed sand like substance. Sites marked with large stones."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Challis, ID

51 Photos of 25 Challis Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Challis, ID

49 Reviews of 25 Challis Campgrounds

  • Cia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 27, 2020

    Winged Fork Pl Dispersed

    Gorgeous site

    On left, out East Fork Rd from Challis. Long ways. Decent dirt road but great drive. Just past private land into National Forest, can see Germainia trailhead from there. Old settlement remains on river. Small metal fire ring Great views and quiet!

  • The Wandering Shores ..The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2022

    Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

    Video Review Now Available

    In this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3. All locations are in the Sawtooth National Forest and there is a 10 day stay limit between May 1- September 15th with an unlimited stay limited outside of that time period. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WWH8Vb49Ow&t=531s

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

    Dispersed with vault toilet

    If you show up to Redfish Lake on a busy weekend and all of the campgrounds are reserved/full, no worries. There is a bunch of free dispersed camping all along highway 75. A quick stop at the Forest Service Office down the road and I had a pretty good map of the forest roads in the area, but more importantly, a tip about free camping a stone’s throw away from Redfish Lake and Sunny Gulch campground. The road in is a bit rough with ruts and rocks, but there are several established sites with fire rings. There was a loop to the right with about 8 such sites and a loop to the right with about 5 sites as well as one that was hidden behind the site I chose that you had to walk in to(it was actually a nicer site than the one I chose, but I was tired and set up before I saw it on my explorations. There was one vault toilet that was not especially clean, but free is free, and if you really wanted to, you could walk less than a quarter mile across to the developed Sunny Gulch campground. There are no picnic tables or grills or tent pads, but definitely stone fire rings at each site so no worries as long as you brought your own camp chair. If you need a shower, head into Redfish Lake to use the public pay showers there.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2021

    Cougar Dispersed Camping Area

    Peaceful Near a Flowing River

    We came here second week of May just after the rangers opened FR-146. We travelled all the way to the end where there is a trailer turn-around. All sites looked nice and we counted 12 designated dispersed sites, #1 was the furthest in. We ended up in 2C(the furthest in of three sites of area #2. The site was next to the river. It was 4.5 miles in on the dirt road and our closest neighbor was back up the road 3.5 miles in camp Murdock, roughly a twenty minute drive. The only animals we saw were ground squirrels. It was so peaceful and a wonderful experience.

  • Rhett B.
    Sep. 27, 2020

    Winged Fork Pl Dispersed

    GPS Coordinates Are Completely Wrong

    GPS coordinates show for Eagle, ID but the drycamping spot isn’t remotely close to Eagle. It’s near Challis, ID.

  • Mark The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

    Convienent location

    Convenient location to Redfish Lake and Stanley. Road and spots have recently been updated with packed sand like substance. Sites marked with large stones. To the far right there is no trailer turn around but a site large enough for a 5th wheel if you back all the way in. Center area has back in and a couple pull thrus. To the left there are 7 back in spots and 1 in the middle that can be a pull thru. The left side is better for solar with larger spots. Potable water and dump at both Redfish Lake and Stanley Ranger station. Both areas are $12 and both a short drive. Dumpsters at both locations. We were her mid September and it was pretty open during the week but filled up on the weekend. Close to 75 so road noise but it calms down at night. 4 rating was because of road noise and generators (including open frame) running nonstop over the weekend. Weather was beautiful (70s) during day and low 30s to high 20s at night. Propane refill in Stanley.

  • Mackenzie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Indian Springs

    Great campsite, hard access

    The campsite is great but getting to it is a challenge, my F-150 was able to do it but anything longer or with less clearance would struggle. There is a ton of deadfall in the area, you need to come with a chainsaw to clear the access road.

  • Taylor C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2023

    Iron Creek Camp on Forest Road 619

    dope spot little sketch

    this camping site is great, super bumpy dirt road takes you to a few hidden plots tucked away by a river. private and easy to crash for the night

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping

    Nice, widely dispersed sites just a few miles NW of Stanley

    We are full-timers and have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and had scouted the area before arriving with the RV. The roads in to this area, NF-563/Stanley Creek Rd and NF-633/Nip and Tuck Road are in pretty decent shape for all vehicles coming in from the West off of Hwy 21, but be warned, do not come in from the East on NF-633/Nip and Tuck Road off of Hwy 75 as just a short distance in, there is deep and narrow wash across the road that will likely ruin the underside of your RV unless you have a very high clearance vehicle. There are many dispersed sites around along the road, but most were taken when we arrived, and only a few facing Stanley have cell service. We found a decent site (44.2382,-114.9692), a little off of the main road, with a great view of the Sawtooth Range and the valley. The site sloped a bit from side to side, but we were able to get mostly level. There were a few flies around during the daytime, but not the biting kind, just annoying. Mosquitos were an issue only in the evenings. There are a number of hiking trails in the surrounding area. AT&T service was fair with 2-3 bars of LTE and speeds up to about 1.5 MB/s. T-Mobile service was good with 3 bars of 4G/LTE and speeds up to about 1.3 MB/s We were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site. Also, there were no OTA channels to be had with our fixed omni antenna.

Guide to Challis

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Challis, Idaho, where nature's tranquility meets the freedom of the great outdoors. With stunning landscapes and a variety of camping options, this area is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Challis, Idaho

  • Make sure to bring your own water and firewood, as places like Deer Gulch do not provide these amenities.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife while camping; many visitors have spotted animals like moose and deer in areas such as Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping.
  • Be prepared for varying road conditions; some access roads can be rough, especially when heading to spots like Iron Creek Camp on Forest Road 619.

Scenic views for dispersed campers

  • Enjoy breathtaking mountain views at Deadman Hole, where the scenery is complemented by the nearby Salmon River.
  • Campers at Mosquito Flat Reservoir can take in stunning lake views while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
  • The area around Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed offers picturesque landscapes, perfect for photography and relaxation.

Top activities while free camping near Challis

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I locate dispersed camping sites on an Idaho camping map?

To locate dispersed camping sites in Idaho, the Forest Service office is an excellent resource. As mentioned by campers visiting Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed, a quick stop at the local Forest Service Office provides detailed maps of forest roads and designated dispersed camping areas. Look for areas marked with dispersed camping symbols on National Forest maps. At Iron Creek Camp on Forest Road 619, information boards and signage clearly mark designated dispersed camping spots. Many areas now have A and B group site designations to help campers identify appropriate locations. When using online maps, search for National Forest lands near your destination, as these typically allow dispersed camping in designated areas.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Challis, Idaho?

Free dispersed camping can be found at Winged Fork Pl Dispersed, located off East Fork Road from Challis. This site offers great views, quiet surroundings, and a small metal fire ring near old settlement remains along the river. Another option is Deer Gulch, which sits conveniently along the Salmon River. It features vault toilets and numerous camping spots on both sides after crossing the bridge. While Deer Gulch has some traffic noise from nearby Route 93, it provides a free, accessible option with basic amenities. Both locations are on public land but require driving on dirt roads, so plan accordingly.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Challis area?

Dispersed camping in the Challis area follows standard National Forest regulations. At Cougar Dispersed Camping Area, camping is restricted to designated sites only, which are clearly marked with numbered signage. Most National Forest dispersed sites in the region have a 10-day stay limit between May 1 and September 30. Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping exemplifies typical rules: camp in established sites only, practice Leave No Trace principles, and use existing fire rings. Vehicles must stay on established roads and sites. No services are provided at dispersed sites, so campers must pack out all trash and waste. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as they change seasonally.

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