Looking for a place to camp near White Bird with your horse? Finding a place to stay in Idaho while traveling with your horse has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect site for your Idaho horse camping excursion.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
RangerAwesome small camp great for those who don't like camping in larger camps with multiple sites
Idaho offers a stunning backdrop for horse camping enthusiasts, with diverse landscapes and well-maintained trails that cater to both riders and their equine companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near White Bird, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near White Bird, ID is Hells Canyon National Recreation Area - Idaho with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near White Bird, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near White Bird, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
