Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Cobalt? Camping with your horse in Cobalt just got easier. With our help, you'll find the best Idaho equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Hogan Cabin is a small cabin located on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in western Montana. The cabin was built in the 1920s to provide field quarters for trail crews, smoke chasers, timber cruisers and grazing inspectors that worked in the area. It is a great retreat for snow lovers in the winter, as the cabin provides access to a variety of snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Summer and fall months give guests plenty of daylight and moderate temperatures to explore the surrounding meadows, peaks and valleys, as well as fish in plentiful mountain streams. The cabin is only accessible by motorized vehicle during the summer months and until snow closes the road. Guests may have to snowmobile, hike or ski up to six miles, depending on conditions. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
The surrounding hills and valleys are popular for hiking and backpacking in the summer and fall, and for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter. The cabin sits along the famous Lewis and Clark Trail, which led frontier explorers through the area in the early 1800s. The entire length of the trail covers 4,600 miles, showcasing some of the most beautiful and rugged areas of America. Hunting and fishing are also popular in the area. Mountain creeks and streams run near the cabin, and wildlife is abundant in the surrounding forest. It is also a popular place to watch for various bird species.
The cabin is situated on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail at an elevation of about 7,300 feet. It is at the southwestern end of the Anaconda Mountains, near the Sapphire Range, in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The Anacondas are home to abundant wildlife, including mountain lions, elk, deer, moose and bears (learn more about bear safety).
$45 / night
This campground is located off highway 43 located on a relatively flat ground supporting a dense stand of pole-sized lodgepole pine.
Horse Prairie Cabin is a fairly large, two-room cabin situated on the edge of beautiful Horse Prairie in the southwestern corner of Montana. Forest service work crews used the cabin for lodging in the past. The cabin is available year-round and provides access to abundant hiking, biking, skiing and snowmobiling trails. It is equipped with a variety of amenities, providing guests with a somewhat comfortable and adventurous experience in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The cabin is accessible by vehicle, depending on conditions. Excessive snowfall may require skis, snowmobiles or hiking for up to six miles of the route. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Hikers and mountain bikers can access some great trails in the area. To the west of the cabin, Coyote Creek Road provides access to excellent cross-country skiing. Coyote Creek Road runs approximately seven miles to the top of the Big Hole Divide, climbing about 1,500 feet. The prairie and surrounding area is also open to unlimited snowmobile access during the winter (learn about avalanche danger). Fishing is available in nearby creeks, and anglers might see rainbow and brook trout, as well as mountain whitefish. The waterways drain into the Big Hole River, a blue-ribbon trout stream at the southern end of the forest.
Hikers and mountain bikers can access some great trails in the area. To the west of the cabin, Coyote Creek Road provides access to excellent cross-country skiing. Coyote Creek Road runs approximately seven miles to the top of the Big Hole Divide, climbing about 1,500 feet. The prairie and surrounding area is also open to unlimited snowmobile access during the winter (learn about avalanche danger). Fishing is available in nearby creeks, and anglers might see rainbow and brook trout, as well as mountain whitefish. The waterways drain into the Big Hole River, a blue-ribbon trout stream at the southern end of the forest.
The cabin is located on a hillside in a sunny, open prairie on the southern edge of the Beaverhead Mountains. The range straddles the Continental Divide in Montana and Idaho. The view from the cabin overlooks the grassy meadows of Horse Prairie. There is abundant wildlife in the area, including elk, moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, lynx, marten, deer and black bears (learn more about bear safety).
$55 / night
Ranger
Simple campground along Salmon River--beautiful setting, with maybe 5 spaces, not all of which are marked well but do have picnic tables to indicate. Also a vault toilet at loop campground. Buggy, even with river flowing and slight wind. Free, which is nice. Can hear US93 traffic, but not bad considering neighbor ran generator which drowned out some noise.
TravelerPulled over mid day to spend the afternoon and night. We took the second to last spot on the river side. Arrived at noon on a Tuesday, departed at 8am next day and were the only campers. Very easy river access from site, but water is moving quickly. 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. 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.
Guide
We were the only ones there, each spot is super private, there aren’t many spots. Ours was right on the river and we could easily go down and swim from our site. Fully dispersed no services, no cell signal (verizon). Only con is that it is close enough to hwy 93 that you can see and hear cars going by, but it’s not a super busy road.
TravelerLanded 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. Minimal sound from the road.
TravelerWe travel in a 23 foot camper van. Plenty of room for our rig. Great views! Very little Verizon service. There are three spots to camp here. One right in the river (difficult to find a level spot on the river). We had the first pull through spot and was perfect.
TravelerIt’s just a pull off. Not much for flat spots or anything else. You will need to have everything you need with you.
TravelerAmazing drive-in BLM campsite right on the Salmon River. Primitive site; no water/bathroom. Great stargazing.
TravelerSite: moderately clean and private. Spaced apart about 3 sites alongside the river access. Trees for hammocking and shade. Relatively even for van parking. Not buggy at all. Can see one person's cabin up the road but that's it. 360 views of mountains, placed at the bottom of a canyon.
Water: 1 minute walk to the river from all sites. No faucet for potable water, bring your own or filter from the river.
Noise: A bit of noise from US93, not that busy of a road but close enough to hear what passes except if you're sleeping in a van, ours muted that out nicely.
People: saw about 5 people total in an overnight stay. Nobody bugged us. Mostly just turning around. 1 camper next to us the following morning.
Activities: perfect view of the big dipper between the canyon view made for a beautiful night of star gazing by the fire ring. Plenty of fishing access and space to walk around the river. Beautiful place to adventure and be, would be a great spot for multiple nights. Space for people to bring their family or friends. Far away from cities and towns that it's not too busy.
LegendLess than a dozen sites along a pretty bend in the Salmon River. The sites have picnic tables and grills and rock fire pits under a nice shady stand of cottonwoods. 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. Clean vault toilet. Not much more you can ask for for free.
Traveler
May creek is a wonderful campground... it’s in a gorgeous cabin and it’s easy to find. The campsites have fire pits and picnic tables. It’s not that far from the highway which is nice if your looking to explore the area. It’s peaceful and quiet, and not busy.
Ranger
Spent 3 nights at Hogan Cabin, MT last summer (Aug 2018). I loved the isolation of the location. Up at 7200ft you get a little winded hiking around, but the incredible scenery is worth it. Found a primitive A-frame structure in the woods about a mile from the cabin. Saw several deer and elk feeding in the field near the cabin, as well as a moose in the marsh along the creek.
The cabin itself is nothing to jump up and down about. With only 2 sets of bunk beds, my wife and I put the bedding on the floor and made a full sized bed. There's no running water so be sure to bring plenty.
There's an vault toilet in the outhouse.
There is also a HUGE fire pit with swinging grill for cooking.
Idaho offers a fantastic experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with stunning landscapes and well-suited facilities for equestrian adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cobalt, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cobalt, ID is Camp Creek BLM Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cobalt, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Cobalt, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
