Best Dispersed Camping near Macks Inn, ID

Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Macks Inn, Idaho, with several free primitive sites on public lands. Targhee Creek offers established sites with rock fire rings approximately 20 miles west of Yellowstone National Park. Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed provides multiple pull-outs along dirt roads with vault toilets. Bootjack Dispersed Camping features numerous sites in meadows and along creek edges. According to reviews, "Targhee Creek has a rugged 2-track with established camp spots on both sides" and some sites even include bear boxes.

Most dispersed sites in this area lack amenities such as drinking water, trash collection, or restroom facilities. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally; always check current regulations before starting any campfire. Roads to these sites vary in quality and often deteriorate the further you travel from main highways. Several campers noted that "roads can get pretty rutted the further in you go" and become "a bit mushy in spots" after rain.

The standard stay limit for dispersed camping on these public lands is 14 days within a 30-day period. Cell service is generally available in the area, with Verizon and AT&T reported to have good coverage at many sites. Wildlife is common; proper food storage is essential as bears frequent the region. Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly near creeks and in early summer. Weather conditions change rapidly at these elevations (6,400-7,000 feet); prepare for temperature swings between day and night, and occasional summer storms with hail or heavy rain.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Macks Inn, Idaho (69)

    1. Targhee Creek

    28 Reviews
    West Yellowstone, ID
    12 miles
    Website

    "This site is about 20 miles west of Yellowstone in Idaho. Great spot with easy access. Beautiful views and the blue mountains in the distance at sunset make this site a crowd pleaser."

    "Great dispersed camp area . Rugged 2 track with established ( flat clearing with rock fire ring) camp spots on both sides."

    2. Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Island Park, ID
    9 miles

    "There’s no official spots since it’s dispersed but several pull outs along the dirt road. There are 2 clean vault toilets that were stocked. Free to stay but no amenities other than toilet."

    "We got into Henry’s Lake Dispersed area around 6pm on a Saturday night. We stayed to the left of when the road splits, because that’s where the pit toilets were."

    3. Bootjack - Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Island Park, ID
    6 miles

    "A good amount of dispersed areas here. All the areas in the open meadow area closer by the road was occupied. We choose a dead end road and had the area all to ourselves."

    "A lot of boondocking opportunities in that area. Must of the spots in the open meadow area were full. Therefore, we went with this spot up a dead end road."

    4. Henry Flats Dispersed Spot

    11 Reviews
    Island Park, ID
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 524-7500

    "Location is stunning, off the main road, and feels safe. Additionally it is stunning! The lake is incredible, however it was VERY windy while we were there."

    "Up the road a couple of miles is the Henry Lake Lodge which has a store but I did not check to see if they sold firewood."

    5. Bootjack Dispersed Camping

    6 Reviews
    Island Park, ID
    5 miles

    "Island Park, ID

    44.5781, -111.341

    Dept Fish & Wildlife 

    14 day limit (doesn't seem to be enforced, but seems to be more seasonal campers, not permanent) Grass Spaces for even big rigs."

    "Very close to West Yellowstone, about 25 minutes away. Close to Hwy 20. Lots of camping sites that are in the trees or out in the open. Dirt road has ruts, but many large rigs were camped here."

    6. Fish Creek Dispersed Camp

    4 Reviews
    Macks Inn, ID
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 524-7500

    "Free dispersed camping location about 45 minutes from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Open camping area to set up."

    "Good views if you get a spot close to the the creek. Easy to get to and the road was in good condition. Some cell phone reception. Some flies. Some noise from the road close by but not an issue."

    7. Island Park Dam

    2 Reviews
    Macks Inn, ID
    5 miles

    "Free to stay up to 14 days. Busy on weekends."

    "Large graveled parking area next to Island Park Reservoir. Parking, pit toilets. Level & no road noise. Room for several vehicles. Still two feet of snow in April"

    8. West Fork Denny Creek

    6 Reviews
    West Yellowstone, MT
    14 miles
    Website

    "Typical forest road bumpy drive in, but not terrible. Not as much shade or privacy as I expected unless you get lucky in 2 of the spots. Quiet and only ~15 mins outside west Yellowstone."

    "Nice creek, accessible sites *road has some pot holes, but you can get there by car. 

    There seems to be only 4 official sites here and the are trying to restore the area near the creek."

    9. West Yellowstone Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    West Yellowstone, MT
    13 miles

    "There is an established firing at this location as well as a small field that is open and the camp is surrounded by trees."

    "Amazing location just ~5 mins from the West entrance but tucked back into beautiful land. There are no views but a great meadow space. Continue down the road and there were plenty of spots!"

    10. Red Rock Pass

    1 Review
    Island Park, ID
    7 miles

    "There was 5 camper vans and two cars. Us being in a car, we easily found a spot. Can be a tad noisy with atvs driving down the road. There was even fire pits but it did say no fires."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Macks Inn, ID

215 Reviews of 69 Macks Inn Campgrounds


  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 16, 2019

    6100N Dispersed Camping Area

    Large flat camping area

    Disperse campsite 6100N is located a short distance off of forest road 100. This camping area is a nice large flat grassy area to camp in, perfect for tents. Camping area sits along the Upper Ruby River. One large rock fire ring is available. Fir and Juniper trees surround this camping area. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6621 feet

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 16, 2019

    Coal Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    Flat camping area next to Coal Creek

    Coal Creek Disperse Camping Area is a large flat grassy parking area just barely off the main road. Site has a large rock fire ring with plenty of flat areas to set up a tent or park a camper. Site is right next to Coal Creek. Being so close to the road you will have no privacy, but the remoteness of the area should mean little to no traffic at night. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 7000 feet

  • E
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    Beautiful view

    Absolutely stunning spot. The mountain views from camp were unreal — especially at sunrise. Super peaceful, with minimal noise. No amenities, so pack in everything you need and leave no trace. Would 100% come back for the views alone. One of the best dispersed sites I’ve stayed at.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 4, 2020

    Cow Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    Dispersed camping with great views

    Cow Creek Disperse camping area is a large fairly flat grassy area just off the road. Area is in the wide open on a high spot above the Ruby River meaning less bugs as you are unprotected from any breeze that may be blowing. The site has great views of the surrounding mountains and of the Ruby River below. Site has on large rock fire ring. Plenty of room to fit a large group at this location, with no problem finding flat spots for your tents. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site(so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6428 feet.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 17, 2019

    6100M Dispersed Camping Area

    Disperse camping on the shore of the Ruby River

    Dispersed Camping Area 6100M is a large camping area a short distance off forest road 100 with five established sites. Three of the sites are in the open and two are tucked in the trees along the edge of the Ruby River. The tree sites are very nice, sitting among large fir trees. Rock fire rings can be found at all sites, one of the treed sites along the river has a metal fire barrel. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6567 feet

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 16, 2019

    6100X Dispersed Camping Area

    Just a grass camping area next to a creek

    Dispersed Camping Area 6100X is not much to talk about. The location is just barely off the road in a bumpy grassy area along Forest Service route 100. This camping area is wide open, not much of a site, but does have a small rock fire ring. I would suggest not using the fire ring as small sage brush is growing along the edge of the ring, would build a new ring if you wanted a fire. While the ground is a little bumpy you should have no problem find a level enough spot for a tent and a camper should be no problem at all. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 7024 feet.

  • Kyleen
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Targhee Creek

    Dispersed camping in meadow near creek

    This site is about 20 miles west of Yellowstone in Idaho. Great spot with easy access. Beautiful views and the blue mountains in the distance at sunset make this site a crowd pleaser. Gravel roads on the way in get a little more rough the further in you go and down towards the creek. About 8+ sites off gravel road including a group site. There are also a few dirt roads closer to entrance that may lead to more but we didn’t go up since they were a little closer to the road. The traffic was a bit loud at times but as the night went on and the traffic died down and this was a beautiful area overlooking a meadow. Unfortunately, a few people have forgot the importance of leave no trace and therefore be careful of the toilet paper scattered throughout this site.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 20, 2019

    6100J Dispersed Camping Area

    Disperse camp with a Outhouse!!!

    A Outhouse!!!. Dispersed Camping Area 6100J is a large camping area a short distance off forest road 100 with four to six established sites depending on how you look at it. But the best thing of all is just across FS road 100 is a vault toilet. The camping area sits between FS 100 and the Ruby River, unfortunately none of the sites are along the river. I said 4-6 sites as a few of the rock fire rings are very close to another fire ring, could fit to groups of campers at these sites, but why would you want to be so close to someone else while disperse camping. Good size fire rings at nice flat locations with plenty of room to set up camp. The vault toilet did not have any paper in it when I visited, but it was after the usual camping season and the middle of hunting season. The site also has 3 tie up rails for horses at the entrance to the camping area. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site(except for the vault toilet) so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6472 feet

  • m
    Jun. 8, 2021

    Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    Perfect dispersed camping

    Perfect dispersed camping. Note it is a windy dirt road, so a pickup or camper van can make it, but don't try a Class A or Class C RV. Our 20 footer made it fine. Also wouldn't want to drive it if rain forecasted as I bet the dirt turns to impassible mud real fast.

    The spots themselves are wonderful, some very open, some tucked away along the rocks, all very spread out from each other. Super quiet. I can't believe how quiet it was.

    If you want to feel like you are camping on a mountain in the middle of no where, this is it.


Guide to Macks Inn

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Macks Inn, Idaho, where nature meets tranquility. This area offers a variety of spots for campers looking to escape into the wilderness without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Macks Inn, Idaho

  • Many dispersed camping spots, like Targhee Creek, allow for campfires, making it perfect for cozy evenings under the stars.
  • Be prepared for rough roads; some areas, such as Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed, may require a vehicle that can handle uneven terrain.
  • Always check for cell service availability; for instance, campers at Henry Flats Dispersed Spot have reported good reception, which is great for staying connected.

Enjoy fishing and wildlife watching while free camping near Macks Inn

  • The Henry's Fork Rivercamp is a fantastic spot for fishing enthusiasts, offering easy access to the river and scenic views.
  • Wildlife is abundant in the area; visitors at Bootjack Dispersed Camping have spotted moose and elk during their stay.
  • Birdwatchers will appreciate the diverse avian population around Henry's Lake Boat Ramp, where you can enjoy beautiful lakeside views.

Dispersed campers should check out Henry's Lake for stunning views

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Macks Inn, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Macks Inn, ID is Targhee Creek with a 4.6-star rating from 28 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Macks Inn, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 69 dispersed camping locations near Macks Inn, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.