Dispersed camping opportunities near Salmon-Challis National Forest provide alternatives to established campgrounds. The forest covers over 4.3 million acres across central Idaho, with elevations ranging from 2,700 to over 12,000 feet at the summit of Borah Peak. Weather conditions vary dramatically throughout the year, with summer temperatures typically reaching the 70s-80s°F during day and dropping into the 40s at night.
What to do
Hiking and trail access: Casino Creek Campground serves as an excellent base for trail exploration. "There are plenty of trails for various activities for this place: Hiking, Biking, Horseback riding, ATV use, and Fishing," notes Laura M. in her Casino Creek Campground review. The campground features multiple trailheads directly from camp.
Fishing opportunities: Stanley Lake Campground provides access to productive fishing waters. One camper reported, "Good fishing" at Stanley Lake Campground, while another visitor to Blind Creek mentioned seeing "beavers catching fish, deer, chipmunks eating wild currants and rainbow trout."
Hot springs soaking: Campgrounds near natural hot springs allow for relaxation after outdoor activities. A visitor at Challis Hot Springs noted, "This place has it ALLLLL... hot springs pools(2!); showers; camp store with ice; WiFi; wildlife(two mountain goats lead me in on the road); walking trail; shade trees."
What campers like
Mountain views: Franklin Basin Winter Trail Campsite offers excellent vistas. "Every spot we've camped at has a great view," says Elsa G. in her review of Franklin Basin Winter Trail Campsite. The dispersed sites provide adequate spacing for privacy.
River access: Blind Creek Campground sits along the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River. "We stayed at a group site with 4 adults and 7 kids and had plenty of room. Easily accessible off of paved road," reports Abbey B. about her stay at Blind Creek Campground. The campground's five sites offer riverside camping with natural water sources.
Solitude options: Less-visited campgrounds provide peaceful alternatives to popular areas. "If you're looking to stay away from the crowds of Redfish Lake, grab a spot at Inlet campground! While this isn't always the easiest—no reservations, first come, first serve—it always ends up being my favorite place to camp in the Stanley area," shares Amy C. about Stanley Lake.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds present challenges for certain vehicles. At Big Bayhorse Campground, "The road can be a bit sketchy in spots but all in all not completely difficult. I did it with my Tacoma pulling a tiny camper," explains Kevin C. Another reviewer warned, "We only made it partially up the steep narrow road before our truck started to over heat."
Seasonal considerations: Insect activity increases during peak summer months. "Bugs get very bad mid-summer here," warns a camper about Franklin Basin. Similarly, fall brings changing conditions, with Casino Creek operating from "May to Labor Day" and Blind Creek open "June 1 to October 15."
Reservation systems: Many dog friendly campgrounds in Salmon-Challis National Forest operate on first-come, first-served basis. Mill Creek Campground has "9 first come sites with about half backing to the creek and the other half to the trees on the lollipop loop," according to Annie C. Arriving early, especially on weekends, improves chances of securing a site.
Tips for camping with families
Safety considerations: Pet-friendly sites throughout Salmon-Challis National Forest require animal supervision. "Store food appropriately as there are no bear boxes and bears do come to this area," advises Laura M. about Casino Creek Campground. This applies to both human food and pet supplies.
Water access: Campgrounds with lake or stream access provide recreation for families with children and dogs. At Stanley Lake, one camper noted, "Great lake views and easy, well maintained road access," while another mentioned it's "Perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming."
Amenities for extended stays: Round Valley RV Park offers facilities that support longer family camping trips with pets. "It is close to town but no noise from the highway. It was walking distance to grocery store and gas station," reports Joshua P. The park provides "Many large and well spaced pull through sites, all on gravel" according to Christine.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers should research specific sites before arrival at pet-friendly campgrounds. At Mill Creek, Annie C. suggests, "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."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies throughout Salmon-Challis National Forest campgrounds. "Zero cell reception ATT, Verizon, or TMobile" at Casino Creek Campground, while at Challis Hot Springs, "AT&T coverage was good, with 3 bars of LTE and speeds up to 15 MB/s" according to Ray & Terri F.
Hookup availability: RV services differ between established and dispersed campgrounds. Round Valley RV Park provides "Water, sewer and electric all good. Easy in and out. Access the OHV trails from here," notes Christine, making it a solid option for RVers with dogs needing full hookups.
