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Best Tent Camping near Salmon, ID

156 Reviews

Primitive tent camping options dot the landscape surrounding Salmon, Idaho, with several sites located along the Salmon River offering natural beauty and seclusion. Camp Creek BLM Camping provides riverside tent sites with fire rings approximately 10 miles north of town, while Waddington Creek Primitive Campsite offers a more secluded tent camping experience with steep access down to the water. Bobcat Gulch, a dispersed camping area in the nearby national forest land, rounds out the primitive options with basic sites that accommodate tent campers.

Most tent sites near Salmon lack amenities, requiring self-sufficiency from campers. Camp Creek and Waddington Creek have no drinking water, toilets, or trash service, making water filtration equipment and waste disposal plans essential. Sites typically feature natural, uneven terrain with minimal site development beyond fire rings. One camper described Waddington Creek as having "a steep and narrow road down—perfect for a small 4x vehicle," highlighting access challenges common to primitive sites. Cell service varies dramatically between locations, with some riverside campsites unexpectedly offering connectivity while others remain completely off-grid.

Tent camping in this region provides direct access to the Salmon River for swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities. According to one visitor, "We were the only ones there, each spot is super private. Ours was right on the river and we could easily go down and swim from our site." Sites typically offer some tree cover for hammocks and shade, though proximity to Highway 93 means some road noise may be audible at certain locations. The primitive nature of these campgrounds means fewer neighbors and more wildlife viewing opportunities, with seasonal considerations affecting campsite conditions. During fall, tent campers experience vibrant foliage along riverbanks while spring brings higher water levels. Winter access becomes limited due to snow accumulation at higher elevations.

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Best Tent Sites Near Salmon, Idaho (48)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Salmon, ID

5 Photos of 48 Salmon Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Salmon, ID

156 Reviews of 48 Salmon Campgrounds

  • Todd M.
    Oct. 10, 2020

    Grasshopper Campground and Picnic Area

    Grasshopper Campground Ko

    This is a nice smaller forest service campground adjacent to grasshopper creek. A great spot to stay if exploring the Pioneer Mountains.

    There are 7-8 spaces, most suitable for a trailer or van. We were tent camping as were others. There are vault toilets and the ubiquitous forest service green potable water pumps/drinking fountains.

    There are no dumpsters so have to pack trash out. There are campground hosts but they don’t have firewood for sale, so either need to bring or be prepared to do quite a bit of hunting for wood. The area around the campground is picked pretty clean of good firewood.

    This is bear country and there are food storage boxes located throughout the campground for shared use. I expect the presence of bears is also why they don’t have any dumpsters on site.

    The campground sits at approximately 7000 feet and by late summer gets near freezing temps overnight. Bring your fall/winter sleeping bag if tent camping here in late August or late Spring!

    Just a few minutes up the road from the campground is Elkhorn Hot Springs where you can pay a few bucks to use the rustic pool and hot springs.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2021

    Shoup Bridge Campground — Salmon Field Office (Blm)

    Small campgound on Salmon river and highway

    Shoup Bridge  Campground is a small Campground surrounding cottonwood trees along the banks of the Salmon River. It is also right along the Highway.  We found this a pleasant campground to stay in, plenty of flat ground for our tents and only $5 a night.  A few sites are quite small, but still room for a tent. This was our Scouts jumping off point for a backpacking trip the next day.  While next to the highway we expected a lot of noise during the night, but that was not our experience, the only real road noise we had was in the early morning with worked out as it helped wake us up.  Each site has a picnic table and metal fire ring.  Water is available and the area has a vault toilet and trash cans.  Campground has a boat launch.

  • m
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Twin Lakes

    Beautiful, Serene, Off the beaten path

    It is a very off the beaten path, tucked away in the woods, true getaway from the busy city life. Travel south on 278 from Wisdom, MT and take the chance on an 18 mile gravel road to find a place only you see in pictures and read about in magazines. Drive through open cattle ranges and find a beautiful campground nestled up to 2 small lakes connected by a shallow channel. Clear water to see the bottom where it's shallow enough. No motorized boats allowed, so bring your own kayak or canoe and a fishing pole or two to enjoy the refreshing waters at the bottom of the mountains. Even in July, you can see snow atop the mountains on the Montana-Idaho border.

    • Large, open water front spaces to set up "shop"
    • Site 10 had room for 3 tents, 3 SUVs, 1 picnic table + extra side table, fire ring/grill, canoe, chairs around fire and shoreline, laundry lines
    • Not crowded (maybe 5 sites taken when we were there)
    • Bathrooms are clean (but no locks or hand sanitzer...at least the one I used)
    • Water available
    • One bear storage container at front entrance
    • Must pack up and take out your own trash (no bear proof trash cans)
    • Fire rings with grills available
  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2024

    Watts Bridge Campground

    Okay site on Salmon River--HOT in July

    Simple 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.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2021

    Crazy Creek Campground

    Quiet but smokey

    Only 3 miles off the main drag, I’m not sure why more people weren’t camping here. While there are only about 8 sites only 2(including mine) were taken. Maybe it was the smoke from distant first fires. Anyway, great little campground! Right next to the creek, with another small branch cutting through the middle of the campground, the only thing I could hear was the water and later a fire spotter plane overhead. The vault toilet was super clean and serviced recently. Sites were of different sizes(the parking pad curbs had lengths listed on them), and of differing amounts of levelness. I had site 2 and had to go to a fairly low spot to find a level place to pitch my tent, not a problem during a drought, but it would have been wet if it had rained. Saw a doe and fawn on the way out in the morning.

  • Colleen H.
    Jul. 22, 2018

    West Cameahwait Campground

    Great views, shade structures, and V clean outhouse

    This campground is easily accessibale of the I-15 just outside of Dillon located on the Clark Canyon Resouvoir. It offers picnic tables, fire rings at each established site, trash cans, and very clean and not smell restrooms. There are also about five spots that have shade structures which we were grateful for in the July MT heat.

    You can a panoramic view of the lake, access to beach front, and tons of different kinds of birds to watch. These sites are well maintained and free for 14 days.

  • R W.
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Grasshopper Campground and Picnic Area

    Came back!

    Awesome campground, the camp host is friendly and making rounds to ensure the bathrooms are stocked and that everyone is enjoying their time. We camped at number 5 last time, and we just got done camping at number 15 for the weekend. Crystal park is not thst far and the Wise river is right after it. Also vheck out Elkhorn hotsprings th a ts the next turn for a natural spring nad suana. Can't wait to camp here again. The picture below will show you our camp set up sadly Teo fridns had to take off earlier before photos. We easily fit 4 tents and had 2 dogs with us. The site provides shared food storages, also vualt toilets, and drinkable water at the faucets through out the camp ground. It was 25 a night for 3 vehicles so we spent 50 in total. Another perk if you need or forgot something go to Ma's store it has a bit of everything. It's just on the other side of the lodge in Grasshopper.

  • R W.
    Aug. 7, 2023

    Grasshopper Campground and Picnic Area

    Very nice

    The campground is very nice, it was clean and had 2 water taps available. You can hear the creek at night, which is a huge plus for me. They have mutiple food storages available that are shared. There wasn't any firewood that was easy to find. I recommend bringing your own or running to Ma's County Market. For kiln dried wood, it doesn't last long, but you can cook with it.. The cost was 15.00 USD a night with 5 dollars more per vehicle. Site 5 could park 4 vehicles easy. The rest can only fit 2. Bigger parites can go to the group campground in the front. Number five could park about six cars easy. Also you could pitch about 7 to 9 tents on it.

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 23, 2025

    Sam Billings Memorial Campground

    The best in SW Montana

    12 sites with good tables and fire rings. This is a well maintained NFS campground. 3 vault toilets that are kept clean. Sites #1 & #2 get the most sun, are the largest, and can accommodate any size RV. The remaining sites vary in size. #2 can easily hold 5 full size trucks side by side, or three medium size trailers/5th wheels with their tow vehicles. It also has 3 large tables, plenty of open ground for tents, and is ideal for large groups and families. Toilets are located across from site 3, between 5/6, across from 12. #7 is low ground camping you walk down to with minimal shade and perfect for hot weather days.

    The exit is at site 12, one way travel thru the campground. Across the street from the exit is the entry to sites 1-4 horse camping. Small sites with table, fire ring, and enough room for a small tent. There are 3 large metal structures with 3 chains each for horses and 2 horizontal tie out bars. No room to park horse trailers on that pull thru. One trailer spot across from site 4 by the “stock water trail” sign, the rest can park 50 yards down the road at the trail head/turn around. There are 2 additional tie out areas here for horses and plenty of room for horse trailers and several other vehicles.

    Be sure to read the notice above the envelope box before you pay. From weather dependent dates chosen by the Rangers there is no cost from late Oct to late May. Otherwise it is $10 per night, $5 with golden or access passes.

    No cell service, only 1 mile to the paved road, Ranger station is only about 1/2 mile down that paved road. The Rangers are proactive in sharing any important information such as severe weather, bear activity, or any other notable activity.

    Details: Ranger station on the main road less than a mike from the entrance. They show up once a week Ravialli county sheriff is who to call on weekends and holidays, they will respond Be bear aware in season Equestrian specific campsites Trailhead next to the CG So much firewood laying around There are some karens that have been “coming here my whole life” and think they own the place; avoid Only three site requires walking access, the rest are drive right in to. Only a few sites so if its great weather or holiday show up mid week or even a week ahead if you can Free stays out of season, otherwise it’s a daily fee, pay at the entrance sign

Guide to Salmon

Primitive camping areas along the Salmon River provide opportunities for tent camping in remote settings with minimal amenities. The terrain around Salmon, Idaho features a mix of BLM land and national forest sites at elevations ranging from 3,900 to 5,000 feet, creating varied camping environments. Most dispersed sites remain accessible from late April through October, with road conditions deteriorating during spring runoff periods.

What to do

Fishing access points: Camp Creek BLM Camping positions campers directly on the Salmon River. As Noah M. notes, this location offers an "amazing drive-in BLM campsite right on the Salmon River" with excellent fishing opportunities throughout the summer months.

Explore historic sites: Visit nearby Dugout Dick's homestead from Waddington Creek Primitive Campsite. According to Annie C., "go a couple hundred yards north and cross the river on the one lane bridge to come back down river to check out Duggout Dick's hermit house and orchard... you can see the interpretive signs about Duggout Duck and his interesting life."

Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution around Salmon creates exceptional night sky viewing. Noah M. found Camp Creek BLM Camping offered "great stargazing," while other campers report similar experiences throughout the area's primitive sites.

What campers like

River proximity: Multiple campsites offer immediate water access. At Waddington Creek Primitive Campsite, Liv M. appreciated that it's "a huge site... Super nice being next to a river, road wasn't a problem with loud traffic. Good hammock trees."

Seclusion factor: Most primitive sites around Salmon provide privacy between campsites. At Bobcat Gulch, Evan H. reported finding "4 open spots at 8:30pm" even on a Saturday night, noting it was "pretty quiet" despite being "rather close to the highway."

Hammock-friendly sites: Many riverside locations feature suitable trees for hammock camping. Kristy A. found Camp Creek BLM Camping offered "trees for hammocking and shade. Relatively even for van parking. Not buggy at all."

What you should know

Steep access roads: Several campsites require navigating challenging terrain. At Waddington Creek Primitive Campsite, Jibran B. described "the road down is steep and narrow—perfect for a small 4x vehicle. It's also very short."

Cell service variability: Connectivity fluctuates dramatically between locations. Some riverside sites surprisingly offer connectivity, with Jibran B. finding "9 bars of service" at Waddington Creek, while other sites remain completely off-grid.

Limited developed sites: Most areas feature minimal infrastructure. Frank W. describes Waddington Creek as a "nice off grid site" but cautions it has a "very steep grand off highway to one site. Not recommended if you are pulling any type of camper."

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Wallace Lake Campground offers encounters with local fauna. Tanny M. recounts: "We piddled around in a raft around the lake and did some fishing. Saw quite a bit of wildlife. We had a great camping spot right by the water."

Site selection priorities: For families with young children, seek riverside sites with gradual water access. Andrea C. found at Camp Creek BLM Camping: "There are three spots to camp here. One right in the river (difficult to find a level spot on the river). We had the first pull through spot and was perfect."

Pack essential supplies: With no services available at most sites, families must bring all necessary items. Eric D. emphasizes about Camp Creek: "It's just a pull off. Not much for flat spots or anything else. You will need to have everything you need with you."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas around Salmon accommodate smaller rigs only. Andrea C. shares: "We travel in a 23 foot camper van. Plenty of room for our rig" at Camp Creek BLM Camping, indicating this size works well for primitive sites.

Leveling challenges: Many riverside locations feature uneven terrain. Multiple RVers note difficulty finding level parking at several primitive sites, with one mentioning it was "difficult to find a level spot on the river" at Camp Creek.

Access considerations: Narrow roads and steep descents limit RV access to certain sites. Frank W. specifically cautions about Waddington Creek: "Not recommended if you are pulling any type of camper" due to the steep grade from the highway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Salmon, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Salmon, ID is Camp Creek BLM Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Salmon, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 48 tent camping locations near Salmon, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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