Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Salmon-Challis National Forest
Challis Hot Springs accommodates pets at all tent and RV sites with green lawns along the Salmon River. Campsites provide full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections for RV travelers with dogs. The campground offers clean showers, toilets, and picnic tables at each site, allowing dogs to remain comfortably with their owners. Most campgrounds around Salmon-Challis National Forest enforce standard leash policies, with Big Bayhorse Campground, Indian Springs, and Mosquito Flat Reservoir all permitting pets throughout their facilities. Challis Hot Springs maintains two natural hot pools of different temperatures, allowing campers to relax after hiking with dogs. Round Valley RV Park provides additional pet-friendly camping with spacious, well-maintained gravel sites within walking distance of town amenities. The Dyrt includes reviews of campgrounds near Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho.
The access road to Indian Springs presents challenges for larger vehicles, requiring high clearance and potentially chainsaw work to clear deadfall when arriving with pets. Franklin Basin Winter Trail Campsite offers free dispersed camping with excellent mountain views and adequate spacing between campsites, though bugs become problematic mid-summer for both humans and pets. Sites at Big Bayhorse Campground adjacent to Bayhorse Lake provide a peaceful setting for fishing with dogs, though the steep, narrow 8-mile access road requires caution when towing. Stanley Lake Campground offers tent and RV sites with drinking water and toilets available, making it convenient for extended stays with pets. Mill Creek Campground features nine first-come sites backing to either creek or trees, with clean vault toilets and a working water pump available for campers and their animals.
