Tent camping near Pollock, Idaho centers around the Snake and Salmon River corridors at elevations ranging from 1,700 to 7,900 feet. The area contains portions of both the Payette and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, with camping options that vary dramatically between river valleys and alpine settings. Most tent sites in the region are primitive with limited or no amenities, requiring campers to bring portable waste systems at many locations.
What to do
Fishing the Salmon River: Island Bar Recreation Site provides direct river access for anglers targeting steelhead and salmon during seasonal runs. "Lover camping on the river here! You can sleep right on the beach or up in the trees. Wake up to amazing views of the river, you can put your boat in upstream and float down to your site," notes Erin M.
Alpine lake swimming: Seven Devils Campground offers access to an alpine lake within a short walking distance. "There are pit toilets, no trash, no water. We loved the loneliness and the spacious sites in a little fir wood close to a 0.2 trail to the wonderful clear little lake next by," explains Kirsten I.
Mountain biking: The area near Brundage Reservoir Camping Area connects to extensive trail networks. "We went here for mountain biking (if you go, check out Groupon for the lift) this campground was awesome because it was so close to Brundage resort, and the ski lift up," reports Franklin R.
What campers like
Riverside beaches: Camping directly on sandy beaches is possible at several locations along the Salmon River. "This beautiful spot on the Salmon River is easy to get to. Great for fishing, swimming and kayaking. There are snakes and spiders as this is a desert zone so be careful," warns Jessica C. about Island Bar Recreation Site.
Mountain panoramas: Saddle Creek Campground offers expansive views from elevated sites. "One of the most stunning views I've had at a campground. Seven sites, several of them are quite close together and good for a group but maybe not strangers," shares Andrew S.
Seasonal wildflowers: Spring and early summer camping in the higher elevations reveals colorful wildflower displays. "Older seasonally maintained campground with pit toilet, picnic tables, and fire pits. Fabulous views, wildflowers, but windy so not planning on a campfire this evening," notes Cheryl M. about Saddle Creek Campground.
What you should know
Challenging access roads: Many campgrounds require navigating rough forest service roads. "Hidden gem. Great spot. 10 free sites first come first serve. Vaulted toilets BYOT (bring your own toilet paper). Hidden lake within short walk," reports Zanna H. about Seven Devils Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Campers should prepare for encounters with various wildlife species. "Watch out for black bears, rattlesnakes, mountain goats in the area," warns Celine K. about the Seven Devils area.
Weather variability: Higher elevation sites can experience significant wind and temperature fluctuations. "Got pretty gusty at night and several of the sites are fairly exposed so plan accordingly," cautions Andrew S. about Saddle Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Shorter hikes: For families with children, Granite Lake provides accessible tent camping with manageable trails. "Awesome place for tent camping and hiking lots of trails to explore but not a great place if you need a RV to go camping," suggests Christopher R. about Granite Lake Camping Area.
River swimming spots: Lower elevation campgrounds offer safer swimming options for children during summer months. "Too hot in the summer to be anywhere else. Exhausted after boating, so slept away most of the rest of the time," mentions Tanny M. about Spring Bar Campground.
Toilet availability: Some sites have maintained vault toilets while others require portable systems. "Clean toilet when we went, we were the only campers and only had a couple visitors on their way up to Hat Point to see the view and use the toilet," notes Andrew S. about Saddle Creek.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Pollock have significant limitations for larger vehicles. "I would not take an RV," warns Zanna H. about Seven Devils Campground due to the narrow access roads.
Alternative parking: Lucile Recreation Site offers more accessible parking for those with larger vehicles. "Not much for camping. Popular place to go rafting," notes Courtney R., indicating the site functions better as a day-use area for RV owners who want to access the river.
Road conditions: Many forest roads become impassable for larger vehicles after rain. "Trailers not allowed on the 1 lane road with turnouts from the Joseph, OR site. Road is better up too," cautions Cheryl M. about access to Saddle Creek Campground.
