Salmon-Challis National Forest, ID is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Salmon-Challis National Forest and user-submitted reviews.
"Near the lake. No water, has vault toilets. Roads can be slick."
"Really cool massive boulders are in and around the campground, and even though it is along the pass and near a beautiful gorge, you really can’t see anything beyond the campground due to the terrain."
"NO cell service whatsoever here either(AT&T)
Location works for exploring the local areas up and down the fork"
"I did it with my Tacoma pulling a tiny camper but when I arrived at the lake, there were much larger vehicles than mine already there."
"This place was recommended by our camp host in lower Idaho. We made the drive up in our F-350 diesel and it felt sketchy in a few places. Took about 45 min."
"My top sites of choice are sites 2 and 3 because of the shade and proximity to the creek. Site 3 is closer to the vault toilet and the working water pump."
$29 - $43 / night
"Sure there are a bazillion to choose from along the highway, but I wanted to soak in the highly reviewed waters. I was NOT disappointed!!!"
"; showers; camp store with ice; WiFi; wildlife(two mountain goats lead me in on the road); walking trail; shade trees(no hammocks allowed). And it is next to the Snake river. Seriously??"
"**Plenty of paths down to Salmon river level to fish or nap. **
Limited unlocked bathrooms toilet paper in early spring.
**Goose poop and ants everywhere around camp sites. **"
"Located on the banks of the salmon river beautiful spot just outside of town. Several sites located right on the river."
LegendCamped in site #15 on Sept 27, 2024. Paid $10 with senior pass. Nothing remarkable about the campground itself, but the trails leading out of the campground are really good. There is access to the Salmon River at the end of the campground road for bank/fly fishing; caught a nice rainbow trout. Sites along the river appear larger than those backing up to the hill. The river side sites are open sky, good for solar recharging and Starlink. The sites across the road have partial shade. There were a few pull-thrus; otherwise, back-ins. Campground is popular for OHV enthusiasts and hikers. Most sites are close to the dusty campground road. Vault toilet was not quite clean, although it was at the end of the summer season. There is a hand water pump. Site 15 is a small, almost level site with a pea gravel surface; it appeared to have a tent pad at the rear. This site has a table and metal fire ring. There is road noise from highway 75 across the river. It was very busy here during our stay, probably because forest service campgrounds west of Stanley were closed due to wildfires. There were a lot of drive-bys on the campground road. Nearby travel trailers with large noisy families kind of ruined the ambiance of this small campground; did not respect quiet hours. Campground probably okay for an overnight stay, fly fishing on the Salmon River or for accessing the trailheads. Overall, I did not enjoy camping here. I did, however, enjoyed hiking and fishing here. I am not likely to camp here again.
RangerSimple campground along Salmon River--beautiful setting, with maybe 5 spaces, not all of which are marked well but do have picnic tables to indicate. Also a vault toilet at loop campground. Buggy, even with river flowing and slight wind. Free, which is nice. Can hear US93 traffic, but not bad considering neighbor ran generator which drowned out some noise.
GuideI enjoyed my 2 night stay here. I pitched a tent however it was quite windy due to it being an open area so just stake your tent down well. I had a spot right beside the salmon river and was able to access this campsite via my Honda Accord vehicle.
TravelerMy husband and I came to this spot with our 28ft trailer, luckily we were able to squeeze in. Lots of spots to choose from too. The campsites were clean and very peaceful place to camp for a few nights.
GuideThis was a great stay. I found a place to pitch a tent right beside the river. There seemed to be plenty of spots some vacant at times. It was close to Highway 75 but did get some traffic noise but the river drowned most of it out. Would stay here again!
TravelerSite 5, probably the best. Clean, cheap, safe, right on the river. 5 miles from downtown.Sure,it’s close to the road, but it’s not that bad. I probably wouldn’t make it a 5 day vacation site,but I’m sure people do. I’d stay here again
GuideStayed here for two nights. The first night I have the whole area to myself. The second night there was two other campers. Doesn't seem to be super popular or high in demand. So finding a spot shouldn't be a problem. There was about six or more parking/camping areas. No Wi-Fi or Verizon signal. There is a toilet available. Access to the river as well.
GuideClean bathrooms and showers, good space. Didn't see a store of any kind. Tiny view of mountains. They charge an extra amount for choosing your spot, but it makes no difference really as the place is quite small.
TravelerWe stayed at this campground initially because it was right at the trailhead for the hike to Goat Lake. We got there around 5 and there were still plenty of sites available. It was pretty buggy, but it’s right next to a creek, so that’s what you expect. It was quiet and the sound of the creek made it easy to sleep after a long day.
Camping near Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the water, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful scenery, plenty of activities, and well-maintained campgrounds, it’s a perfect getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Salmon-Challis National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 166 campgrounds and RV parks near Salmon-Challis National Forest and 23 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Salmon-Challis National Forest is Mosquito Flat Reservoir with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Salmon-Challis National Forest.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Salmon-Challis National Forest that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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