Best Equestrian Camping near Payette National Forest

I really liked this campsite. It would be a great spot if you are planning on camping with horses as it has hitching rails. It is a historical site that has been used off and on for the past century. Wether come from McCall via Lick Creek Road, or fr the east down the Salmon River, it is beautiful! Be sure to hike the Secesh river trail which starts across the Secesh River from the campground. I found huckleberries and wild strawberries along the trail at the beginning of July. It cost $10 to park here.

Great 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.

Dope off grid, dusty, pretty, dusty, epic drive and views along salmon river to hidden gem Secesh river. Flat sites. Good spot for riding base.

campsites with picnic tables and fire pits. Bathroom with no running water. Bears are known to visit but we didn’t see any signs. The creek is gorgeous , not deep . The trail head is close to camp. The trails are fairly easy and maintained. Lovely place .

After an hour of driving over a very bumpy and gravely road, you arrive at a serene camp ground. Its right next to a creek and is connected to some hiking loops. Very calm and quiet area.

Stayed here for a night completely alone. Once again some really great trout fishing here. Absolutely no shade for the sun. We were here in October so shade was not too important. But if we were here in the dead of summer probably would have been a deal breaker. Right on the river though so could easily use that as a nice pool.

There was one pit toilet and nothing more. Perfect.

I stayed one night, I took a cabin instead of a campsite because of the nearby fires. The area was very clean and well maintained. The pool was wonderful to soak in. I arrived there on a Sunday afternoon, there was A LOT of traffic going down the mountain as I was going up, obviously it had been quite crowded on the weekend! However, it was nice and quiet for the rest of my stay.

Nice area to camp. Sparse trees. Swimming in the creek as well as pool. If you’re needing cell reception it’s spotty at best. Camping spaces are clean.

Didn’t think we would find a spot for the weekend since we left so late. Drove up to silver creek expecting that if we couldn’t get in we would boondock on the other side of which boasts acres and acres of opportunity all around to boondock. However we were able to secure a spot. It can get a little busy (kids riding bikes, playing) and the campsites can be close together depending on what side you’re on, but it’s absolutely beautiful and very accommodating. We brought our side by side and drove the trails every day for hours all day! Had Picnics on the river rapids and soaked in the hot springs (you will drive by on your way to the grounds. Unfortunately the one at the campsite is closed and for sale. Be bear and wolf aware!

As stated in description it's rustic. Not much to it but it did offer a sheltered place to build a fire/get warm and weather a bad storm. In the summer, the long rough road into it is not for everyone. Scenery is good and very quiet. If you want remote with the bare basics, this is the place.

Camp is decent with a few spots for smaller RV or campers - pit toilet - trees surround - high clearance vehicle recommended - steep in places

You can explore a few miles on the roads by UTV or by pickup while exploring the Salmon River drainage or the Snake River drainage. Traveling to Pittsburgh Landing and Kirkwood from here is considered a short day ride.

Steep terrain surrounds the area

Unit 18

A lot of cattle ranching in the summer and mostly hunters In the fall.

Forest service maps are recommended for travel since a lot just circle back to start, mostly on road, little access for off road travel.