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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.
"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"
"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."
"Near the lake. No water, has vault toilets. Roads can be slick."
"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."
"Cute campsite with an old dragline excavator next to it. Access to the river, nice little fire ring"
"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"
"It is completely primitive camping pack it in pack it out Bring Your Own water. But for a few nights it would be a superb hideout in the quiet of nature. 10-day limit two bars Verizon."
"Beautiful little site on BLM land right next to the Salmon river. Fairly easy access, one lane bridge off Highway 93 and a short drive on dirt road to the site."
"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."
"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."
GuideOn 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!
LegendIf 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.
GuideWe 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.
GuideVery remote campsite far away from the highway. Dirt roads all the way and two gates that must be opened and closed to get through to BLM land. Beautiful scenic, but remote.
TravelerGPS coordinates show for Eagle, ID but the drycamping spot isn’t remotely close to Eagle. It’s near Challis, ID.
GuideConvenient 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.
GuideThe 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.
Scoutthis 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
LegendWe 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.
Primitive camping near Challis, Idaho offers riverside and mountain terrain opportunities with seasonal variations throughout the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests. Challis sits at 5,253 feet elevation in the Salmon River Valley, creating a high desert climate with cold winters and warm, dry summers. Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly in afternoons, especially in July and August when temperatures typically range from 50-85°F.
Fishing access: Salmon River provides multiple fishing spots near Deer Gulch, where campers have direct river access. "This is a nice and convenient place to stop. Right along the Salmon river. RT. 93 is close so some traffic noise. Vault toilets. No dump or water. Lots of sites to the left and right after crossing the bridge," notes Eric G.
Mountain biking: The area near Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed offers gravel trails for mountain biking enthusiasts. "Directly across the street there is a nice gravel mountain bike trail that leads past the ranger station," shares Amy K., highlighting the convenient trail access.
Wildlife viewing: Remote dispersed sites offer chances to see diverse wildlife. "Saw mama moose and twin babies. Despite July heat we had 77 degree days and cool breezes," reports Cia S. about their experience at Winged Fork Pl Dispersed.
River proximity: Campers consistently rate riverside spots highly at Deadman Hole. "Simple. Stayed here for two nights. The first night I have the whole area to myself. The second night there was two other campers. Doesn't seem to be super popular or high in demand," notes Ben H., mentioning the typically uncrowded nature of the site.
Spacious sites: Many dispersed areas offer ample space between campsites. "Lots of room for our dogs to run by site without bothering others," writes Sharon W. about her experience at Deer Gulch, highlighting the generous spacing.
Connectivity options: Cell service varies dramatically between sites. "I had full bars with Verizon (the cell tower was within line of sight) but my friend with t-mobile had no service whatsoever," reports Ted T. about Deer Gulch, providing useful information for those needing to stay connected.
Bridge access challenges: Some sites require crossing bridges that may limit larger vehicles. "The first bridge is closed, and the second bridge is pretty narrow. I have a 16 foot camper, and didn't feel comfortable crossing it," warns Kenny R. about Salmon Creek Camp.
Road conditions: Forest roads require careful navigation. At Indian Springs, "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," advises Mackenzie F.
Weather planning: Weather changes quickly at higher elevations. Mosquito Flat Reservoir is only open May through September due to severe winter conditions, and summer temperatures can fluctuate 30+ degrees between day and night.
Riverside activities: Families enjoy water access for cooling off during hot summer days. "The river is very shallow and the bank is quite muddy -- our little dog sank up to her belly," notes Laura M. about Deadman Hole, providing helpful information about water conditions.
Timing your arrival: Securing prime spots requires planning. "Got here on a Friday (8/26) around 7:30 pm. There were already some folks out here, but there were still some spaces," shares Martina S. about Decker Flats Dispersed, indicating Friday evenings still offer opportunities for finding spots.
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. "Though this campground sits along the highway it is easier to tolerate noise when its free!" mentions Laura M. about Deadman Hole, highlighting practical expectations for families sensitive to noise.
RV access points: Careful navigation is essential for larger rigs. At Deer Gulch, Kenny R. reports: "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."
Campsite selection: Finding level spots can be challenging. "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," notes Sharon W. about her experience at Deer Gulch.
Services availability: Most primitive camping near Challis lacks hookups. "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," shares Ray & Terri F. about Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping, emphasizing the importance of scouting locations before arrival with larger RVs.
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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