Best Tent Camping near Cobalt, ID
Tent camping opportunities near Cobalt in central Idaho range from riverside primitive sites to more developed campgrounds in the surrounding Salmon National Forest. Camp Creek BLM Camping and Waddington Creek Primitive Campsite offer tent sites alongside the Salmon River, while Wallace Lake Campground provides a more established option for tent campers approximately 20 miles northwest of Cobalt in the mountainous terrain.
Most primitive tent sites in the Cobalt area lack amenities, requiring campers to be fully self-sufficient. Camp Creek and Waddington Creek sites have no drinking water, toilets, or trash service, making them suitable for experienced campers prepared for backcountry conditions. Road access varies significantly, with Waddington Creek requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate the steep, narrow access road. Wallace Lake Campground offers more facilities with toilets, trash service, and drinking water during its operational season from Memorial Day through September. Tent campers should check seasonal closures, as many sites at higher elevations remain inaccessible until summer.
The primitive riverside tent sites provide immediate access to the Salmon River with fishing and swimming opportunities. Sites at Camp Creek are well-spaced for privacy, though some road noise from Highway 93 may be noticeable. Tent areas typically accommodate standard camping setups with room for hammocks between trees. Deep Creek and Iron Lake campgrounds serve as gateways to hiking trails in the surrounding national forest. Bobcat Gulch offers basic tent camping with vault toilets and river access about 30 miles north of Cobalt. A camper described Camp Creek as having "each spot super private" with sites "right on the river" where they "could easily go down and swim from our site."
