Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Riggins? Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. Search horse campsites and discover top-rated spots, as reviewed by other campers.
The Windy Saddle Trailhead is the main access point into the Hells Canyon Wilderness from Idaho. Located on the saddle going to Seven Devils basin or up to Heaven's Gate Lookout the area offers a great view of the Seven Devil mountain range and Hells Canyon area. This site provides access to Seven Devils Trail #124 and Sheep Creek Trail #53 which enter Hells Canyon Wilderness. Windy Saddle Horse Camp
The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) straddles both sides of the Snake River in Oregon and Idaho. This Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho section includes all developed recreation sites and trails that are all located away from the Wild and Scenic Snake River in the Idaho uplands. All other upland sites and all trails in the Hells Canyon NRA - Snake River, or Hells Canyon NRA - Oregonare found in those recreation area sections. Popular recreation areas include the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Seven Devil mountain range), Black Lake, Heavens Gate Lookout, Windy Saddle, and Seven Devils recreation area. Local Idaho communities that have a variety of services (i.e. fuel, lodging, stores and/or restaurants) are Riggins, Grangeville, Whitebird, Council, and Cambridge. These communities are within one hour of this area.
This area has four campsites with fire rings, hitching rails, and no feed bunks provided.
Ruby Meadows is a popular trailhead for ATVs, motorcycles and mountain bikes, located southeast of Warren Wagon Road in the Burgdorf area. There is a dispersed camping area with a toilet. The camping area is shaded by tall timber. The trail system connects users with Loon Lake area via the Willow Basket Creek Trail #141 . Directions: Travel north from McCall 30 miles and turn right on Forest Road 364 into the Ruby Meadows dispersed camping area.
This campground is a 5 unit campground open for recreational users with stock. Hitchrails at all the units are available to tether stock. Campsites are adjacent to the Secesh River. Trail access to #080 trail. No hook-ups.
$10 / night
Kennally Creek Campground is situated in a serene setting among mature forest along the banks of Kennally Creek. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app ht tps://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
The North Fork Kennally Creek Trail #102, East Fork Kennally Creek Trail #099, and the Needles Summit Trail #101 depart immediately from the campground with additional trail access just a few miles down the road.
$15 / night
Buck Park Cabin is located on Cuddy Mountain, in the Payette National Forest of central Idaho. Guests enjoy the remote area for its hunting opportunities and abundance of hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails. The cabin sits at an elevation of 7,280 feet within Buck Park, a scenic meadow surrounded by a dense conifer forest. Rush Lake, Hornet and Lower Hornet reservoirs are nearby. This very rustic cabin can accommodate a maximum of three people. Metal cots are provided, but guests must bring their own sleeping bags. A wood stove is provided for heat and cooking. No plumbing or electricity is available. A vault toilet is located outside. Guests must bring water, food, bedding and firewood. High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing Buck Park Cabin. Further, access to Buck Park Cabin will be challenging if snow has fallen (more likely after mid-October).
The cabin sits near small Rush Lake, which offers fishing opportunities. Hornet and Lower Hornet lakes are a short distance away. Hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and off-road enthusiasts will find several motorized and non-motorized trails in the surrounding area. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety message.
The cabin sits at an elevation of 7,280 feet within Buck Park, a scenic meadow surrounded by a dense conifer forest. Rush Lake, Hornet and Lower Hornet reservoirs are nearby. The Payette National Forest encompasses some of Idaho's most beautiful and diverse country. Located in west-central Idaho, north of Boise, the 2.3-million-acre forest extends 100 miles west to east, from Hells Canyon to the Middle Fork Salmon River, and 70 miles north to south, from the Salmon River to the Weiser River.
$50 / night
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.
Guide
I recommend this section of Wallowa-Whitman NF Rd 46 (4600) between Thomason Meadow Guard Station and Buckhorn Lookout because it is grazed less than surrounding areas, and thus has more plant diversity--i.e. great WILDFLOWER BLOOM in the spring. At 5000 feet, June to early July is a peak bloom time.
This is the top of the Imnaha River breaks, and you can see fully down into the BEAUTIFUL canyonlands of the Imnaha and Snake. Birdwatching was good for us out here too, especially raptors. One of the trailheads to the historic Nez Perce Nee -Me-Poo Trail is near this "Camp-1" dispersed spot.*
*One of our maps calls the marked spot "FSR 46 Camp-1," but the dispersed camp sites are all along NF Rd 46 from here north to Buckhorn.
The drive up to this area is well-maintained gravel, and an SUV with decent tires can do it. (We did it with a truck hauling a toy-hauler trailer). Bring all the water and supplies and tools you need--this area is REMOTE.
Take Crow Creek Rd off of Hwy 82 (btwn Enterprise and Joseph). All is paved until your intersection with Zumwalt Road, where you veer R to stay on Zumwalt (aka Zumwalt-Buckhorn Rd). It's gravel after that intersection.
Follow signs to Zumwalt Prairie or Buckhorn Lookout.
Crossing over Zumwalt Prairie is a GORGEOUS drive. The Nature Conservancy has their Zumwalt Prairie Preserve here, and it's a great side trip from the camp spot.
This section of NF-46 road is extremely quiet. Only the occasional ranch vehicle travels through. In fall this is a popular camp area for hunters.
I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because of zero water, zero data, the ecosystem/soil that has been abused in the past (not wilderness), the 50-minute drive to WiFi/ restaurant/ water refill/ black water dump. But if I was comparing primitive camping to primitive camping, this would be a 5 of 5.
I would go back here (in late spring or early fall) in a heartbeat.
TravelerGreat little campsite. There are actually two campgrounds across the road from each other. The newer one is a wide open area while the older one is not conducive to larger 5th wheels.
I camped at the older one with my little 1960 Rolls Royal camper. Fun trails all around to explore and I've heard you can pan in the creek.
It is reported the 2022 fire pretty well wiped out the area so camper beware...
TravelerGreat 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.
Guide
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.
Traveler
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.
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.
Guide
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.
LegendI 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.
TravelerCamp 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.
Guide
Arrived late on a Saturday night originally intending to camp at the 7 devils campground but there were no available sites so decided to go back to windy saddle. We were the only campers at windy saddle and were able to get a perfect site at the head of the trail over looking hell’s canyon and Heaven’s gate. Had an absolutely gorgeous view of the devils peaks easy access to trails, devils lake, Heaven’s gate trail. One of the best camping trips I have ever had. There is a vault toilet but no other amenities which was ok for our stay. I am definitely going to be coming back to camp at windy saddle again.
Travelercampsites 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 .
Traveler17 mile drive from roadway. Not recommended for any type of trailer; road can be difficult and is pinched in portions to single lane (substantial change in altitude from valley floor). Great hiking, fire lookout manned during portions of the year, vaulted toilets, check with ranger station on road condition before mid June.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Riggins, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Riggins, ID is Windy Saddle Trailhead Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Riggins, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
