Equestrian camping near Challis, Idaho offers riders direct trail access in a terrain ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation. The area sits within the Salmon-Challis National Forest, which encompasses over 4.3 million acres of diverse landscapes. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F, with nights cooling significantly even during July and August.
What to do
Salmon River fishing: Access prime fishing spots at Deadman Hole, where the water is shallow enough for wading. "Steps from the Salmon River...Boat launch for rafting, kayaking, fishing...Easy drive to Challis for supplies," notes Nancy C.
Hiking from camp: Camp Creek BLM Camping provides immediate river access and mountain views. One camper reports, "1 minute walk to the river from all sites. No faucet for potable water, bring your own or filter from the river."
Hot springs visits: Several natural hot springs are accessible near equestrian camping areas, offering soaking opportunities after trail rides. "Close to natural hot springs and away from the main tourist area," according to Aleisha R., who stayed at Casino Creek Campground.
What campers like
Free camping options: Decker Flats Dispersed provides no-cost camping along the Salmon River. "Primitive campsites along the Salmon River. 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," explains Heather.
Privacy between sites: Many horse campers appreciate spacing at Watts Bridge Campground, where sites are arranged for better separation. "Less than a dozen sites along a pretty bend in the Salmon River...under a nice shady stand of cottonwoods," reports Annie C.
River sounds for sleeping: Waterside sites mask road noise and provide natural white noise. "Landed the spot on the far right side of the campsite, right on the river. Absolutely beautiful with all the leaves changing. Nothing like falling asleep to the sound of the river," shares Mariana H. about Watts Bridge.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most equestrian campgrounds near Challis have no reliable connectivity. At Deadman Hole, one camper noted, "Zero cell reception ATT, Verizon or TMobile. The WeBoost was able to give us bars of LTE but still was not very usable."
Seasonal water availability: Many campgrounds shut off water in fall. East Fork charges "$10/night, $5/night when the water gets shut off generally around October," according to Laura M.
Dust considerations: Horse trailers and OHV users create dust on unpaved campground roads. "Most sites are positioned close to the dusty campground road, which may be a consideration for those camping with horses," Fred S. observed at Casino Creek Campground.
Weather extremes: Even summer nights can be cold at higher elevations. "Come prepared for cold nights even in the summer. Water will be just as cold unless its August but it's refreshing and extremely clear," advises Miles G.
Tips for camping with families
Look for flat tent sites: Some equestrian areas have limited level ground for setting up tents. Taylor W. notes about Mormon Bend, "Not all spots have trees, so be careful if you have pets. They did have three campsites for people with horses to camp."
Choose sites away from traffic: For families with horses and children, sites further from main roads provide safety. "Try and get either the first or last spots as they have easy river access; the rest of the spots have little tunnels through the underbrush to get to the river," recommends Annie C. about Watts Bridge.
Consider swimming spots: Pettit Lake Campground offers clear water for swimming, though it can be cold. "Lake is crystal clear and gorgeous. Don't miss this place! Close to lots of great hiking for all levels and experiences," says Heather F.
Tips from RVers
Water access planning: RVers with horses need to plan for both human and animal water needs. At Deadman Hole, Steve D. notes, "The river is about a four-8 minute walk or so from most campsites. Very clean."
Solar charging considerations: Some sites offer better solar exposure for recharging batteries. Fred S. observed at Casino Creek, "Sites along the river appear larger than those backing up to the hill. The river side sites are open sky, good for solar recharging and Starlink."
Bring leveling blocks: Many horse camping areas have uneven parking pads. "Casino Creek has paved drive throughout the campground with paved parking pads at the sites. There is also a groomed area at each site for tents, which were nice and flat and clean," reports Laura M.
