Looking for a place to camp near Elk City with your horse? Finding a place to camp in Idaho with your horse is easier than ever. With our help, you'll find the best Idaho equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Wilderness Gateway Campground provides direct access to the Wild and Scenic Lochsa River. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including world famous whitewater rafting. Hiking and horseback riding trails abound in the nearby Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area, which is the 3rd-largest in the lower 48 United States. This large and unique campground offers respite for a variety of campers, including those with horses, horse trailers and RVs.
The Lochsa River is world famous for its exciting whitewater rafting opportunities. Visitors do not need a permit to float the Lochsa, but technical expertise is a must. The river is also a destination fly fishing experience for cutthroat and rainbow trout, chinook salmon and steelhead. There are a number of river access points near the campground, along Highway 12. Highway 12, also known as the Lewis and Clark Highway, winds along the narrow river canyon through evergreen trees and large rock outcroppings. Visitors to the area enjoy the scenic drive and historic sites along the way. Elk, deer, moose, bear, cougar and mountain goats make the steep canyon country their home, as well as other wildlife. A variety of birds are also active in the area. Boulder Creek cascades down into the campground on its descent from the neighboring 1.5-million acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area. Several trails head into the wilderness from the campground, including the 15-mile Lochsa Peak Trail and the 27-mile Boulder Creek Trail. A 1-mile birding trail loops around the campground and the half-mile Downriver Trail leads to a scenic river overlook. All trails are open to hiking and the wilderness trails are also open to horseback riding. The Lochsa Historical Ranger Station, a living history visitor center, is located one mile southwest of the campground.
The campground is located in heavily wooded forest in north-central Idaho at an elevation of 2,100 feet. It is adjacent to the Lochsa River. Lochsa is a Nez Perce word meaning "rough water." The 70-mile river and its tributaries have no dams and flow is unregulated from its headwaters near the Powell Ranger Station in the Bitterroots, to Lowell, where it joins the Selway River to form the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River. The Lochsa is one of the world's best for continuous whitewater.
*1 hour from access to the National Historic Lolo Trail Corridor *1 mile from the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station and Visitor Center
For facility specific information, please call (208) 942-3113.
$14 - $280 / night
Situated in a popular big game hunting area, Table Meadows Campground offers two toilets, two stock feeding bunks, a loading ramp, hitching rail and six camp pads. The West Fork of the American River flows through the campground.
Currently the forest is open to dispersed camping in most areas. Limited motorized access for dispersed camping or parking may be allowed from the centerline of designated roads (300 feet) and designated trails (100 feet).
Camping in dispersed sites is limited to a total of 18 days use. Camps must be moved to a minimum of 5 miles from the original site to qualify for a new 18-day limit; camps cannot be returned to the original sites within 45 days [36 CFR 261.58(a)].
A few rules may be posted in campgrounds or at popular dispersed sites. The rules are meant to protect the site and the environment and to help you enjoy your camping trip.
This facility is no longer reservable.
Sleeping up to four guests, equipped with woodstove and propane heater, this historic lookout was originally constructed in 1931, and the timbered structure visitors see today was constructed in 1953. Weitas Butte Lookout is positioned along the the famous and historic Lolo Motorway just 3 miles north of Rocky Ridge Lake. It's remote and peaceful location along the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and its sweeping vistas of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness makes this lookout an ideal location to spend a unique night or two.
Ruby Meadows is a popular trailhead for ATVs, motorcycles and mountain bikes, located southeast of Warren Wagon Road in the Burgdorf area. There is a dispersed camping area with a toilet. The camping area is shaded by tall timber. The trail system connects users with Loon Lake area via the Willow Basket Creek Trail #141 . Directions: Travel north from McCall 30 miles and turn right on Forest Road 364 into the Ruby Meadows dispersed camping area.
The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) straddles both sides of the Snake River in Oregon and Idaho. This Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho section includes all developed recreation sites and trails that are all located away from the Wild and Scenic Snake River in the Idaho uplands. All other upland sites and all trails in the Hells Canyon NRA - Snake River, or Hells Canyon NRA - Oregonare found in those recreation area sections. Popular recreation areas include the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Seven Devil mountain range), Black Lake, Heavens Gate Lookout, Windy Saddle, and Seven Devils recreation area. Local Idaho communities that have a variety of services (i.e. fuel, lodging, stores and/or restaurants) are Riggins, Grangeville, Whitebird, Council, and Cambridge. These communities are within one hour of this area.
The Bear Creek Pass Trailhead has numerous trails to access that all lead into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The most heavily used is the #613 trail which leads to the bear lakes and accesses trail #128 to Fish Lake. Facilities include a vault toilet, hitching rails, and dispersed camping.
Ranger
Great sites big enough to back a trailer in. Sites are close but feel secluded with trees and ferns. Running water was a bonus, after rafting for a week it felt luxurious!
TravelerGreat little campsite with the roar of the river.
Found it by accident a few years back. It sits above the Lochsa River, just north and west of the Wilderness Gateway Campground.
Both campgrounds are great, but this one is a little more rustic and provides easier access from the highway for camp trailers and stock trailers.
Have to look carefully because it is easy to miss: not well marked...
TravelerGreat little campsite. There are actually two campgrounds across the road from each other. The newer one is a wide open area while the older one is not conducive to larger 5th wheels.
I camped at the older one with my little 1960 Rolls Royal camper. Fun trails all around to explore and I've heard you can pan in the creek.
It is reported the 2022 fire pretty well wiped out the area so camper beware...
TravelerGreat little campground, until the fire went through. Most of it survived, but fire damage is present adjacent to the road and along the trails.
It can sometimes be crowded with ATV and motorbikes, but most the time they are courteous and polite.
I enjoyed panning in the creeks around the area because there are neat dark red and purple garnet to be had. Only found a speck or two of gold, so I am glad I was looking for garnet and not gold.
Traveled from N. Idaho and Montana to here multiple times over the year - definitely worth the trip, especially since they paved the road.
RangerLots of places and plenty of room for horses.
GuideVery large campground. The C sites are right along the river and C10 has a gorgeous view of the whole river valley. The equine camp was amazing. The campground was petty deserted when we were there in early August. Water had not been tested so was not considered potable and you can tell it doesn’t get a lot of attention from the local park office.
ScoutWe arrived on Wednesday with a reservation and stayed through Sunday morning. The drive from Orofino was a long and winding road along the river and oh so beautiful. The campground was clean, had flush toilets and drinking water, plus a dump station. There were plenty of open spots all weekend. Lying in the river was refreshing and recharged our inner batteries. Can’t wait to go back.
TravelerWe used to pull horse trailers in there all the time - 20 years ago
We won’t be pulling anything in there again. Gained some plumbing experience due to large “pot holes” that can swallow trailer tires whole.
Forest service has forgotten about the road and let it fall into dismal shape. Would be best if traveled without a trailer and with 4x4.
Campsites are there but grasses have overgrown most of the site.
Assume that road is in poor shape and sites are best for tents.
TravelerBear Creek Pass Campground is semi-official dispersed camping at Bear Creek Pass, the location of two trail heads. I surveyed the site during a hike but did not stay over night.
There are two trail heads, about 1/2 mile apart. Between is a turn off for the“campground” which is little more than a pull out and a turn around. I didn’t see tent sites off the road. A little further on is a large parking area with vault toilet. A little beyond that a small parking area near the second trail head. Between these two is the one place that did look like a camp site. There was one fire ring and vegetation had been pressed down.
There are facilities for horses: several hitching posts and a loading ramp. These don’t look like they have been used for a while. We did see signs that horses were up here recently but the area is little impacted by horse use.
The area is in open pine forest with meadows. There is a stream flowing near by.
I would certainly sleep in my vehicle over night here or set up a tent. You can overnight here before starting on a hike from one of the trail heads. However, this site has little to recommend itself as a destination for an extended stay or overflow if nearby Schumaker is full.
ScoutWe spent a week here this last summer. Awesome place for hikes and hot springs. Also dog friendly Everywhere we went. Beautiful area wit tons of trees.
Traveler17 mile drive from roadway. Not recommended for any type of trailer; road can be difficult and is pinched in portions to single lane (substantial change in altitude from valley floor). Great hiking, fire lookout manned during portions of the year, vaulted toilets, check with ranger station on road condition before mid June.
RangerAwesome small camp great for those who don't like camping in larger camps with multiple sites
Ranger
I loved the views from this small cabin and the historic value is priceless. Road to this place is not recomended for low clearance vehicles it is a very rugged road and allows for a great experience in the wild most years you won't get there very early in the year because of snow
RangerGreat place for campers of all walks of life has trails to Stanley hot springs and has about everything you could ask for.
Ranger
Great spot to camp at the historic fire lookout tower. The tower is locked up but it's a great spot to stay the night
RangerGreat place very secluded for a real camping experience
RangerThis large, wooded CG offers separate electric and no hookup loops, with a total of 91 spacious clean sites. The Lachsa River runs along the campground. Sites are $14 and $20 and are more than worth it!
Idaho offers a stunning backdrop for horse camping enthusiasts, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to both equestrian needs and outdoor adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Elk City, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Elk City, ID is Nez Perce National Forest Five Mile Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Elk City, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Elk City, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
