Primitive camping near Macks Inn, Idaho offers sites at elevations between 6,400 and 7,500 feet in the Targhee National Forest. Summer temperatures range from 40°F at night to 85°F during peak daytime hours, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. The area sits on volcanic soils that drain quickly but can become deeply rutted when wet.
What to do
Fishing access points: Henry's Lake is a prime fishing destination with multiple access points for shore fishing. At Henry Flats Dispersed Spot, campers report "beautiful open space" with "stunning" lake access just steps from campsites. As one visitor noted, "There were 2 small RVs already there when I got there; and a truck had pulled in sometime overnight when I woke up. The lake is gorgeous."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings provide excellent wildlife spotting opportunities, particularly for moose. At Bootjack Dispersed Camping, campers regularly see wildlife: "We had a moose every morning walk thru." The area is also known for elk sightings with one camper at Targhee Creek mentioning, "We did see come bears and elk from our site which was fun!"
Hiking trails: Several trailheads connect to extensive trail systems within 15 minutes of most camping areas. At West Fork Denny Creek, there's "a nice creek, accessible sites" where "the stream next to us was so nice and loud!" The area provides quick access to longer trails with one camper adding the site is "only ~15 mins outside west Yellowstone."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Despite being popular free camping areas, many locations offer good separation between campers. At West Yellowstone Dispersed, visitors appreciate that it's "tucked back into beautiful land" with "plenty of spots" along the road. One camper described it as having a "great meadow space" while another noted it offers a "large open meadow at 7270 ft. elevation."
Reliable cell service: Most dispersed camping areas maintain surprisingly good connectivity. At Fish Creek Dispersed Camp, campers report "some cell phone reception" even in more remote sites. This makes these locations practical for those needing to stay connected, with one Bootjack camper reporting "3 bars LTE Verizon. We went more north on bootjack road before going into the wooded area west."
Natural waterways: Many campsites feature streams or lake access. At Henry Flats, visitors enjoy "a beautiful spot with a gorgeous lake view. Mountains on all sides of you." One camper was particularly impressed: "I've been on a 2 month road trip around the West and this has been one of my favorite dispersed camping sites."
What you should know
Insect conditions: Bugs can be intense at certain locations and times. At Targhee Creek, one camper reported "the flies were unbearable despite using spray of all kinds. Night time was enjoyable when they went away but it was hard to enjoy while being attacked in the eyes and face." Similarly, at Fish Creek, campers warn "we were swarmed with mosquitos and left after the first night."
Weather variability: High elevation means significant temperature fluctuations and storm potential. At Henry Flats, campers note it "was quite buggy when we first got here, but as soon as the sun started setting, they died down and the temperature dropped significantly." Targhee Creek visitors caution about mud: "It was incredibly muddy and had lots of standing water" after rain.
Limited facilities: These are truly primitive camping areas without developed amenities. Even the vault toilets at Henry Flats are basic but functional, with one camper noting they were "probably the cleanest vault toilets I've ever used." Prepare to be self-sufficient as most areas have "no restroom facilities" and visitors must "pack in all necessary supplies."
Tips for camping with families
Safer swimming spots: For families with children, Henry's Lake offers gentler water access than creek areas. At Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed, campers find "a nice spot right by the boat launch" where the shoreline gradually slopes, though one visitor cautions: "the lake was swarming with non-bitting midges. They were quite literally everywhere and you could hear them flying, but they left us alone."
Road conditions: Access roads can challenge family vehicles without high clearance. West Fork Denny Creek has a "typical forest road bumpy drive in, but not terrible" while Targhee Creek has "a rugged 2-track" that's "quite rough with many potholes" but still manageable as "I did fine in my small two-wheel drive SUV."
Wildlife safety: Store food properly and maintain safe distances from animals. At Bootjack Dispersed Camping, campers regularly see wildlife: "There will be traffic. Had a few joy riders on a Friday night, but everyone else great. If you park by the creek, you will have fisherman coming down to fish."
Tips from RVers
Level parking spots: Several areas provide naturally level spots suitable for larger rigs. Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed has "6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 45 feet" according to visitors. Another RVer confirmed you can find "spacious, out site had a fire ring and boots of trees."
Turn-around access: Check for adequate turning space before committing to narrow forest roads. At Bootjack, one RVer advises: "Snow plow turnaround at the end of Bootjack Dr, so you can get turned around on that road." Another camper with a large rig noted: "With the size of r rig 36 foot Solltude I had to back up the road about 200 feet."
Seasonal accessibility: Early and late season visits require extra planning for RVs. During spring at Red Rock Pass, "there were 5 camper vans and two cars" with relatively easy access, but conditions change rapidly, and some areas become inaccessible after snow or heavy rain.
