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The mountainous terrain surrounding Gibbonsville, Idaho features primarily dispersed camping options, with Bobcat Gulch serving as one of the more established sites in the immediate area. Located along the Salmon River, Bobcat Gulch offers approximately nine primitive sites with designated fire rings and a single accessible pit toilet. Most camping in this region consists of dispersed sites on Forest Service and BLM lands, accommodating both tent and RV camping with varying levels of accessibility. The Continental Divide Trail passes through nearby areas, providing backpackers with remote camping opportunities at higher elevations, including hike-in options at locations like Flower Lake and Upper Seymour Lake across the Montana border.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many sites requiring travel on rough forest roads. As one camper noted at Lost Horse Dispersed Campground, "The last 2.3 miles of the drive was on a fairly rough, but very manageable, forest road. Mostly washboard and a few holes." Weather conditions can change rapidly at higher elevations, particularly in spring and fall. A visitor to Flower Lake reported experiencing "a blizzard that lasted all of the second day and night" during a September trip. Bear safety precautions are essential throughout the area, with multiple reviewers emphasizing the need for bear spray and proper food storage. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most sites, requiring advance planning.
Waterfront camping represents a common feature across many sites, with creekside and riverside locations receiving positive reviews. At Bobcat Gulch, a camper observed that "most sites back up to the river which is pretty nice," though noting highway noise as a drawback. Traffic and crowding vary significantly by location and season, with some popular areas experiencing heavy use. A visitor to Lost Horse Dispersed Campground reported counting "50 cars passing by before we stopped counting" on a Friday night. Campers seeking solitude may need to venture further from main roads or hike to more remote locations. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, though proper waste disposal remains an ongoing concern at some heavily used dispersed sites.
"No water/power completely dry. Bathroom but primitive. No trash."
"There were so many trucks, trailers, camper vans, etc… looked like a nice spot, but since there wasn’t much room anywhere, we decided to head further down the road."
"Found this spot on our way to hike the Baker, Middle, & Gem Lake Trail. There's just one proper dispersed site on this long switchback dirt road, but it's quite the spot if you can grab it!"
"Being only a very short distance from the main road, the dirt access road is smooth though it has scattered potholes and is through a country residential area."
"Beautiful site, nice turn around space, we have a 21 ft trailer. Has a couple fire rings and close to creek. Clear sky view in center and surrounded by tall pines"
"This is my favorite area for dispersed camping in the area. Lost Horse creek is beautiful. Can get a little tight with campers in peak season."
"Wonderful location near the river. Not too many people"
"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."
"Would recommend 4 wheel drive. Might dry out later in the season."
"It's about 7 miles to Upper Seymour Lake (also very beautiful, and with dispersed camping), which isn't too strenuous, but then you have to cut over a pass to get to Flower Lake."
GuideBit of a long drive up the mountain to get absolutely zero view. One large site and a small site tucked further in. Large opening has creek sound in background, not level in any spots but nice and open and no one up here.
GuideBeautiful site, nice turn around space, we have a 21 ft trailer. Has a couple fire rings and close to creek. Clear sky view in center and surrounded by tall pines
RangerBeing only a very short distance from the main road, the dirt access road is smooth though it has scattered potholes and is through a country residential area. Once you pass the private properties, you enter into the forest and drive fairly close to a creek. There are numerous pull outs along the road with a few of them only a few steps away from the creek. Verizon is one bar. It is primitive camping at its best, no services but a fabulous place to spend a night or two. The road had more traffic on it than I expected, but there were no problems. The sites were all clean, and a few had fire pits. Just passed the second (actual) cattle guard which is where the private property seems to end, you'll find a cluster of sites that are well isolated - I went beyond that to a very nice pull out as I wanted to be a little further from the private property.
RangerWe stopped here after trying Bobcat Gulch, which was completely full! So, we drove a little further and found this spot. We pulled in late after 10:00 PM and we were the only ones there, but woke to a couple other trucks that had pulled in. Nice spacious area with a fire pit and picnic table. There is a vault toilet available to use (which was fairly clean and definitely the most artistically decorated!) and one trash can. There’s a pavilion with a viewfinder(?) to try and scope out some wildlife. The boat ramp was fairly busy in the morning. Really decent overnight stop!
LegendFound this spot on our way to hike the Baker, Middle, & Gem Lake Trail. There's just one proper dispersed site on this long switchback dirt road, but it's quite the spot if you can grab it! The views are amazing, but unfortunately it's right off the road at a switchback. There's only enough room for a standard vehicle or a camper van. Much of this road has no cell service, but this campsite did have a good AT&T signal. No amenities, so as always, clean up after yourself and keep Montana beautiful.
GuideCamp is easy to get to. Gravel road for about 2 miles but it's pretty smooth. The view is gorgeous. Trees, mountains, and a nice sized river that cuts through.
Good size sites and fire pits as well
ScoutA ton of dispersed sites right near the creek, but poorly taken care of by campers. We encountered more trash here than we’ve ever seen camping before. I mean, full trash bags left behind that were of course then scavenged by wildlife and spread all over. We also found human poop and used toilet paper in multiple spots, even though there IS a toilet provided here! We found tampons too…it was seriously disgusting…and obviously a popular spot for burning pallets because we found handfuls of nails scattered around, so be mindful of your tires!! This area just seems to attract a different kind of camping crowd, one that doesn’t respect the land or keeping it clean and better than you found it. It was pretty unfortunate because it really is a pretty and overall peaceful area.
GuideFrom the highway 93 turn it is 4.6 miles to where we camped. The last 2.3 miles of the drive was on a fairly rough, but very manageable, forest road. (Mostly washboard and a few holes) It was 11.8 miles from our camp to Darby, and about 13 miles to the Yellowstone Ranch.
We grabbed a nice big spot right next to Lost Horse Creek late Friday afternoon. Another RV came into the area later in the evening and crowded us a little bit but we still had plenty of room to spread out. The road in is BUSY. We have camped at a number of dispersed locations over the years and this was BY FAR the busiest forest road we have seen. On Friday night we counted 50 cars passing by before we stopped counting. We drove west down the road a ways Saturday and saw a handful of other sites, but not enough to justify the traffic. We found out that “Twin Lakes” is about 20 miles down the rough forest road from our campsite. We didn’t venture that far as we could only go about 8-10 MPH max in our truck on the washboard road. Maybe we should have tried because it seemed to be quite the attraction given the traffic. This place will do in a pinch but if you are looking for a quiet dispersed camping area kept driving. This is not for you!
GuideThis is my favorite area for dispersed camping in the area. Lost Horse creek is beautiful. Can get a little tight with campers in peak season.
Primitive camping near Gibbonsville, Idaho centers around the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and Salmon-Challis National Forest regions, with elevations ranging from 4,600 feet in river valleys to over 9,000 feet at mountain peaks. Weather patterns fluctuate drastically between seasons, with July-August offering consistent warm conditions while spring and fall campers should prepare for frost even during summer months. Forest Service roads throughout the area require careful navigation and typically open by late May, depending on snowmelt conditions.
Trail access to Continental Divide: Lost Horse Dispersed Campground serves as an excellent basecamp for hikers looking to access sections of the CDT. A camper noted, "This is my favorite area for dispersed camping in the area. Lost Horse creek is beautiful."
Creek fishing opportunities: Seasonal fishing spots abound in the region's creeks and rivers, particularly during early summer when water levels stabilize. Multiple accessible fishing spots exist along the creek banks, suitable for casual anglers with basic gear. According to one visitor at Salmon Creek Camp on Loening Road, "Deer Gulch 20 minutes further down is decent... Plenty of open space, though."
Mountain biking routes: Several logging roads and unmarked trails provide opportunities for intermediate to advanced mountain bikers seeking technical terrain. Most routes require substantial elevation changes and navigation skills. Riders should check with the North Fork Ranger District office for current trail conditions and closures.
Secluded creek sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy offered at creek-adjacent camping spots throughout the region. At Upper Seymour Lake Dispersed Camping, one visitor observed, "The area is BEAUTIFUL. The lake is stunning, and sits nestled right up against some pretty dramatic mountains. Lots of trees and dispersed camping sites throughout."
Free camping options: Most dispersed sites in the area have no fees and operate on a first-come basis. At Bobcat Gulch, a camper reported, "FREE and pretty quiet for the Saturday night I stayed - 4 open spots at 8:30pm."
Dark night skies: The minimal light pollution throughout the region creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. Summer nights typically offer clear viewing conditions between 10pm-3am, with the Milky Way clearly visible during new moon periods.
Bridge conditions affect access: Several camping areas require crossing bridges with specific weight and width limitations. A camper at Salmon Creek noted, "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."
Campsite maintenance concerns: Some areas experience trash issues from inconsiderate campers. At Lost Horse Dispersed Campground, one visitor reported, "We encountered more trash here than we've ever seen camping before. I mean, full trash bags left behind that were of course then scavenged by wildlife and spread all over."
Varying traffic levels: Road traffic can significantly impact camping experience, particularly during summer weekends and hunting seasons. A Lost Horse camper observed, "The road in is BUSY. We have camped at a number of dispersed locations over the years and this was BY FAR the busiest forest road we have seen."
Sites with established fire rings: Families should prioritize spots with established fire rings to minimize safety concerns. Look for areas where previous use indicates a safe fire zone. One camper at Bobcat Gulch mentioned, "Pretty small and basic campground. I counted what I think was 9 sites? There are no numbered sites, just designated fire rings to indicate the different sites."
Creek sound considerations: While water features enhance camping experiences, rapidly flowing creeks can present safety concerns for young children and may require constant supervision. Sites set back 30-50 feet from water provide both convenience and safety margin.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring comprehensive packing even for summer trips. At Flower Lake Dispersed Camping, a visitor shared, "Definitely check the weather before going in. We were expecting snow that day, but this was more than we were imagining. It was COLD. Intense wind."
Road width limitations: Most forest roads narrow significantly after main turnoffs, presenting challenges for units over 25 feet. At Lost Horse Dispersed Campground, one RVer noted, "The last 2.3 miles of the drive was on a fairly rough, but very manageable, forest road. (Mostly washboard and a few holes)."
Level site scarcity: Truly level sites suitable for larger RVs are limited throughout the region. Campers with units exceeding 20 feet should bring leveling blocks and scout potential sites before committing to locations.
Early arrival strategy: Peak season weekends often require Thursday arrival to secure desirable spots. According to campers, Friday afternoon and weekend traffic dramatically increases competition for prime sites near creeks or with mountain views.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gibbonsville, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gibbonsville, ID is Bobcat Gulch with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gibbonsville, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Gibbonsville, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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