Are you an equestrian lover who prefers a more rustic experience when you visit Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests? It's easy to find Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. Find Idaho equestrian campgrounds with ease on The Dyrt.
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
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.
This facility is no longer reservable.
Weitas Campground is a very popular, no fee campground that’s located about 35 miles northeast of Pierce, just off Forest Service road [FSR] 250. Much of the campground’s appeal comes from its location along the shady banks of Weitas Creek, just south of the North Fork of the Clearwater River (you cross a bridge to reach the campground.) There are only six campsites, so Weitas Campground tends to fill quickly during the height of the summer recreation season. Trail #20 runs south, and then east, out of the campground, providing miles of first-class bank fishing opportunities. The trail eventually junctions with FSR 500, the Lolo Motorway.
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 trailhead, located at the junction of Isabella Landing and FS Road 700, offers access to trail 297, the North Fork Downriver Trail. The 7 mile mainline trail takes visitors into one of our Research Natural Areas, home of many rare plants, and through beautiful fern populations under old growth cedar trees. The trail ends at the lovely Salmon Creek. Motocyclists are allowed on this trail, but ATVs are not.
Home to yet another one of our glorious wooden suspension pack bridges, at the junction of FS Road 250 and the Fourth of July packbridge, the Fourth of July Trailhead offers a few dispersed campsites and many breathtaking views. Visitors traveling the Windy Ridge Trail will experience beautiful scenery and views into the 1910 Great Burn areas and the Lolo Motorway. The Idaho Centennial Trail also shares a portion of the trail between trails 531 and 634.
$14 / night
Accessed by FS Road 297, this wide, ATV friendly trail provides access to Fish Lake. The dispersed campsites are only reached via the trail on stock, on foot or ATV transport.
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.
Ranger
More of a primitive type of campground, although there are vault toilets. Plenty of spaces along the river; however there is a river take out that may be used to back trailers up to, so the flat spots across from it may not be ideal.
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...
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.
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.
Traveler
Great backcountry airstrip. Easy to catch cutthroat and solitude.
GuideThis campsite offers access to great fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
RangerAwesome place tucked away along the river with plenty of sites to see and wildlife to view
Ranger
Great shaded area with trails along weitas creek for fishing and hiking and very peaceful place to stay
Ranger
This camp is great for those who are into trail riding the horses and has a great trailhead for an awesome adventure
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
Ranger
Located along the clearwater river at the mouth of Kelly creek great scenery in this rugged river canyon
Guideit is free witch is amazing thank you. But it would like a tidy up. Only 2 of the sites are in my opinion any good one ones to the left and right of the bridge. I dear not go in the vault toilets. Great location for fishing access. Did get little busy before dark and not many trees so you had dust going threw your camp but it was free.
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is Wilderness Gateway with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, with real photos and reviews from campers.
