Dispersed camping opportunities near Pollock, Idaho provide budget-friendly alternatives to established campgrounds with direct water access. This mountainous region sits where the Little Salmon River joins the main Salmon River, with elevations ranging from 1,800 to over 7,000 feet in the nearby Seven Devils mountains. Most dispersed sites are available from late spring through early fall, with high mountain areas often snow-covered until July.
What to do
Fishing access points: Little Salmon River Pullout Dispersed offers free camping directly alongside productive fishing waters. According to Christian L., "This is right on Little Salmon River" with "gravel surface" sites that accommodate multiple vehicles while maintaining separation from Highway 95.
Mountain lake paddling: Hazard Lake provides an excellent mountain lake destination for small watercraft. Callie B. notes it's "fairly small but many campers kayak or paddle board on it. Lots of fishing as well." The lake supports brook trout fishing in a high-elevation setting.
Alpine hiking: The Seven Devils mountains contain numerous day hikes with alpine views. At Windy Saddle Trailhead Campground, Max L. found they had "easy access to trails, Devils Lake, Heaven's Gate trail" and enjoyed "an absolutely gorgeous view of the Devils peaks."
River swimming: Shorts Bar Recreation Area provides direct river access for cooling off. Shay S. reports the area is "sooo pretty by the river" though notes it can get "busy" during peak season with long-term campers occupying prime spots.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Canyon Pines RV Resort offers premium riverfront sites. Ben E. recommends: "If you have a smaller camper, find a spot next to the river!" for a "very relaxing and quiet spot."
Lake proximity: Hazard Lake campsites provide immediate access to a mountain lake. Christopher R. appreciates the "high elevation lakes for fishing" while Gene S. calls it a "great canoe lake" with space for "tents and small RV's only."
Mountaintop views: Campgrounds near Seven Devils provide panoramic vistas. Zanna H. describes Seven Devils Campground as a "hidden gem" with "great lookout spots" and notes there's a "hidden lake within short walk" of the campsites.
Beach camping: Island Bar Recreation Site allows campers to sleep directly on river beaches. Erin M. explains: "You can sleep right on the beach or up in the trees" and "wake up to amazing views of the river." She adds that "there's cliffs for jumping off and hikes can be found along the way."
What you should know
Road conditions: The mountain access roads require careful driving. Zanna H. warns about Seven Devils Campground: "Driving is single car, narrow, bumpy dirt roads. Be prepared to back up a ways when you encounter another vehicle. Also look out for mountain cows, they like to be in the road."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites lack facilities. At Papoose Campground, Zach O. describes finding "just a leveled packed gravel pad" with "no amenities" and "no water found anywhere close."
Seasonal water testing: Water systems may not be operational early season. Jamie H. discovered at Hazard Lake "the water pump was out of order due to the test for purity was not processed yet" and advises bringing "extra rolls of toilet paper because the outhouses were not resupplied over the weekend."
Wildlife awareness: The area supports diverse wildlife. Celine K. advises visitors to "watch out for black bears, rattlesnakes, mountain goats in the area" while camping or hiking in the Seven Devils region.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Small mountain lakes provide safer swimming than fast-moving rivers. Callie B. notes Hazard Lake has "decent amount of campsites on the side of Hazard Lake" and though "fairly small" works well for families with kayaks or paddleboards.
Campsite selection: Arrive early to secure preferred spots. Callie B. reports "I got in at 4pm on a Friday and there were only 2 spots left" at Hazard Lake, noting "there are several sites that don't really have water views."
Tent camping verification: Confirm tent policies before booking. Angie A. cautions about Riverside RV Park: "They do not have any tent spots. She was OK with our motorhome and one tent but the minute I said we had two kids and two small tents...she would not be renting to us."
River safety: River access points may have steep drop-offs. Julie notes that at Riverside RV Park, "The river is several feet down with no fence so not the best space if you have young kids."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Canyon Pines offers full-service sites. Nancy C. found "level gravel sites were surrounded by lush grass. Each site had a nice picnic table and fire pit."
Site sizing: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. Ron L. describes Canyon Pines RV Resort as having "sites gravel, but level and well maintained" that work well for most recreational vehicles.
Internet connectivity: Cell service is limited but some campgrounds offer alternatives. Nancy C. notes at Canyon Pines "there is no cell service, but wifi is available. NO streaming and intermittent for browsing."
Camp store access: Some RV parks provide on-site supplies. Nancy C. appreciated that Canyon Pines has "a camp store that has just about everything you might need including a good selection of wine and beer."
