s
steve 
Guide
GuideSugarloaf Campground — Lake Cascade State Park
Relaxing stay
Very nice campsite with great view of the water. Sites are semi open but still roomy
Camping near Yellow Pine, ID
187 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Yellow Pine, Idaho sits within the Payette National Forest, offering a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites along waterways. The Yellow Pine Campground provides basic amenities near town, situated alongside a creek with pit toilets but no water. East Fork Cxts-Dispersed Camping Area offers seven free sites overlooking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River. Other nearby options include Buckhorn Bar, Deadman, and Four Mile campgrounds, all managed by the Forest Service with varying levels of amenities. Most sites accommodate tents and small to medium RVs, though narrow forest roads limit access for larger vehicles.
Road conditions vary significantly by season, with many areas inaccessible during winter months. The region typically opens for camping from late May through October, depending on snowmelt and elevation. Summer brings warm days and cool nights at these higher elevations. As one camper noted, "The road is narrow, so I would not suggest a big camper or RV in this area." Most campgrounds have basic pit toilets, and only some offer drinking water. Cell service is limited throughout the area, becoming virtually nonexistent beyond Yellow Pine. Wildfire risk increases in late summer, occasionally causing closures or smoky conditions.
Riverside camping receives consistently positive reviews, with the East Fork sites particularly praised for their water views. According to visitors, Yellow Pine Campground fills quickly during special events like the annual Harmonica Festival but otherwise remains relatively uncrowded. The Yellow Pine area camping options provide peaceful settings with occasional wildlife sightings including deer and various bird species. The area offers good fishing opportunities, particularly for trout in the various forks of the Salmon River. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to scenic viewpoints and backcountry areas. Most sites feature fire rings, though seasonal fire restrictions are common during drier months. The remote setting provides excellent stargazing opportunities on clear nights.
Best Campgrounds near Yellow Pine (187)
1. East Fork Cxts-Dispersed Site Camping Area
"These sites are on the old highway to Yellow Pine. There are 7 of them with two pit toilets. Sites are right on the water overlooking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River."
2. Yellow Pine Campground
"This is the closest campground to Yellow Pine. It is right next to the cemetery. It sits right alongside a creek and has many trees. There is one pit toilet for all of the sites and no water."
3. Ponderosa Campground
"Nice lake close by with boat, wave runner, pontoon boat rentals. Reserve in advance!"
"This place has easy to access bike paths, beach/lake access, and is only a few minutes from town."
from $10 / night
Check Availability4. Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park
"Ponderosa is in beautiful McCall, Idaho. Close to downtown and the lake. Great hiking trails. Good park for a family. The campsites are right next to one another, so not much privacy there."
"Great walking path around and down to the lake as well! Quick 10min ride into town for a nice lake side dinner."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability5. Poverty Flat
"I first found out about poverty flats when I was checking out a near by hot spring, Mile 16. I decided to camp here so I could be close by to the spring."
"Some of the sites you can drive into while others you walk a short ways in. There is access to the river and a hike right from this historical campground."
from $10 / night
Check Availability6. Big Creek — Payette National Forest
"kinda small but great place to set up a base camp for exploring the wilderness next to the camp"
from $10 / night
7. Camp Creek Campground
"I don't know what it is about Idaho that makes me feel like I'm in a Fairy Tail."
from $10 / night
Check Availability8. Payette National Forest Four Mile Campground
"It was nice and quiet And you could hear the river nearby. Spot 3 has a great access trail that takes you down by the creek which flows into the river. There is a rock fire pit down there."
9. Deadman Campground
10. Buckhorn Bar Campground
"The other side is along the edge of the mountain. I loved how these sites were very green and had lots of plants! There is a pit toilet in the canter."
from $15 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 4 hrs 46 min from Boise, ID
- 5 hrs 25 min from Lewiston, ID
- 7 hrs 12 min from Walla Walla, WA
- 7 hrs 42 min from Missoula, MT
Recent Camping Photos near Yellow Pine, ID
67 Photos of 187 Yellow Pine Campgrounds
Hannah C.
Payette National Forest Four Mile Campground
Sheil K.
Poverty Flat
Lisa M.
Secesh Campground — Payette National Forest
Kevin C.
Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area
Imerie T.
Little Payette Lake (Dispersed)
Cindy N.
Northwest Passage Campground — Ponderosa State Park
Imerie T.
Warren Wagon Rd
Cheyenne P.
Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area
William P.
Upper Payette Lake Campground
Corey K.
Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park
Brian C.
Black Bear RV Park
Imerie T.
Brundage Resivour Dispersed Camping
Recent Reviews near Yellow Pine, ID
319 Reviews of 187 Yellow Pine Campgrounds
- AAnthony R.
TravelerBrundage Resivour Dispersed Camping
Cool campsite with a beautiful lake
Spent 2 nights here and it was fun time. Close by the lake so you can swim, fish, etc. Camp sites seemed pretty separated so you can have privacy. Lots of mosquitoes and flies.
David
ScoutCity of Donnelly Campground
Peace & quiet
Clean, spaced out sites , basic site with water views and access and short walk to amenities.
- cchristine D.Scout
Canyon Pines RV Resort
Lovely RV campground right on the river
Very nice hosts. Best RV showers.
- rreed C.Guide
Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park
Best state park
Great camp hosts wonderful to have Full hook ups. Sites not too close to one another great to have the lake so close and have plenty of trails and pads to ride and walk on and enjoy the beauty of nature.
David E.ScoutCity of Donnelly Campground
Swell
I'm planning on camping there next week, so I'll let ya know. The info about hook-ups etc. is wrong as what I've read. Just a swell looking campground at an affordable cost.
I have plenty of solar so I expect to enjoy this campground.
Take Care everyone!
David B.GuideCanyon Pines RV Resort
Solid Campground Not A lot to do
⭐ Overall Rating: 3.5 / 5
The campground is in good overall condition with several nice sites along the river, but there isn’t much to do on the property itself. It works well for an overnight stop, but it’s not a destination campground for longer stays.
🏕️ Campground Grounds & Amenities — 4 / 5
• The grounds are well maintained and clean. • Plenty of trash cans, riverfront spots, and ice/firewood available. • Laundry room and a small book exchange are nice touches. • Children’s play area and a horseshoe pit are available, though the pit only had three horseshoes, which made playing a bit awkward.
🔌 Hookups — 3 / 5
• Power and water worked perfectly. • Cable TV did not work, even though it was advertised. • Dump stations are available and easy to access.
🚻 Restrooms — 3.5 / 5
• Clean facilities with plenty of hot water in the showers. • Men’s room is small for a campground with 50 RV sites:• 1 urinal • 1 toilet • 2 showers
📍 Area & Activities — 3 / 5
• Not much to do on-site beyond the basics. • No hiking trails — just an asphalt driveway. • You’ll need a car to reach any local attractions or activities.
👥 Camp Hosts — 4 / 5
• Great communication before arrival via email and text. • Website was easy to use for booking. • Only negative: the female camp host approached us to tell us our outdoor rug couldn’t be on the grass. The request was reasonable, but the delivery was abrupt — no introduction or greeting. Not rude, but not warm either. A simple “Hi, I’m…” would have gone a long way.
🛏️ Who This Campground Is Best For
• Overnight travelers • Road trippers needing a clean, reliable stop • RVers who want riverfront scenery but don’t need on-site activities
🎯 Bottom Line
We’d stay here again for a one‑night stop, but it’s not ideal for a multi‑day stay unless you plan to spend most of your time off‑site.
- SStacey R.Scout
Yellowjacket Lake
Beautiful, but treacherous drive in
This is a beautiful area with a nicely developed campground. It has seven spacious sites and access to a couple of outhouses. The lake and surrounding mountains are beautiful and the fishing is good. The drive in is long and treacherous for anything much bigger than a jeep. It is bumpy, steep and very narrow with sharp drop offs . Be prepared to remove trees from the roadway in multiple spots. The spot is gorgeous, but we wouldn't do the drive again.
Kiri S.TravelerTrout Landing
Primitive but lovely
These sites are basic but have picnic tables and fire rings, accommodating tents, campers, or smaller RVs. Direct access to the lake with a very small boat launch. Not a great swimming area but great for fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding. Shady sites. Composting toilets. No water or hookups. May have better swimming access points on the other side of the lake where it’s more sandy/rocky.
Guide to Yellow Pine
Dispersed camping options around Yellow Pine, Idaho include numerous sites situated within the Payette National Forest. The area sits at elevations between 4,700 and 8,000 feet, creating distinct camping seasons typically running from late May through mid-October. Many camping areas become accessible after snowmelt clears forest roads, with July and August offering the most reliable access conditions.
What to do
Hiking riverside trails: At Ponderosa Campground, visitors can explore trails directly from camp. "This is a beautiful campground right on the Secesh River and right across the road from a trail that takes you on a hike along the river. I found wild huckleberries and strawberries on this hike in early July," notes Hannah C.
Hot springs access: Poverty Flat Campground serves as a convenient base for hot springs enthusiasts. "It's a short walk, or shorter drive, to one of my favorite hot springs in the state," shares Sheil K., while another visitor mentions, "The drive out is amazing, and there are plenty of hot springs along the way."
Wilderness exploration: Big Creek Campground provides access to significant backcountry areas. "Confinement area for pilots and for those wanting to hike into the FCRNRW which is 2 miles down the road," reports Courtney R., highlighting its role as a gateway to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
What campers like
Riverside sites: East Fork Cxts-Dispersed Site Camping Area consistently receives praise for water proximity. "These sites are on the old highway to Yellow Pine. There are 7 of them with two pit toilets. Sites are right on the water overlooking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River," explains Hannah C.
Solitude during non-event periods: Yellow Pine offers quiet camping most of the year. "I was here on 4th of July weekend and there were still some sites left. I know it fills up for the harmonica festival due to its proximity to town," notes a camper about Yellow Pine Campground.
Forest atmosphere: Buckhorn Bar Campground features distinctive vegetation. "I loved how these sites were very green and had lots of plants! There is a pit toilet in the center," shares Hannah C., highlighting the lush surroundings that characterize this particular camping area.
What you should know
Water considerations: Water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. "There is a water spigot, but it said the water is being tested and it recommends boiling the water before it is used," warns a reviewer about Buckhorn Bar Campground. Many dispersed sites have no potable water.
Road conditions: Most access routes require careful driving. "The road is narrow, so I would not suggest a big camper or RV in this area," cautions Hannah C. about East Fork dispersed sites.
Seasonal considerations: Four Mile Campground and similar sites offer the best availability during weekdays or non-holiday periods. "No one was camping there except me on a July 4th weekend. It was nice and quiet and you could hear the river nearby," reports Hannah C.
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with river access: Four Mile Campground offers family-friendly water features. "Spot 3 has a great access trail that takes you down by the creek which flows into the river. There is a rock fire pit down there," notes Hannah C.
Consider established campgrounds: Ponderosa Campground provides more amenities for family comfort. "This site has water, a pit toilet, and ten sites," says a reviewer, making it one of the best places to camp near Yellow Pine for families needing basic facilities.
Pack complete supplies: Most Yellow Pine area campgrounds have minimal services. "The outhouse hasn't been maintained much, and was out of toilet paper," reports Sheil K. about Poverty Flat, highlighting the need to bring all essentials.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations are significant: Poverty Flat Campground and similar areas have space constraints. "Some of the sites you can drive into while others you walk a short ways in," explains a camper, indicating the need for smaller rigs or trailers.
Consider multi-day stays: Many campers recommend allowing time to explore. "I definitely would recommend poverty flats. It's a great campsite in the middle of nowhere Idaho," shares Sheil K., suggesting the remote location warrants a longer stay.
Assess campgrounds before committing: When camping near Yellow Pine, Idaho, initial scouting helps. "I was unsure about staying at this campground at first because it looked like it wasn't right on the river. However I ended up having the best stay," explains a Four Mile Campground visitor, highlighting how initial impressions can be misleading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots near Yellow Pine, Idaho?
Where are the best camping spots near Yellow Pine, Idaho?
The best camping spots near Yellow Pine include Yellow Pine Campground, which sits alongside a creek with plenty of trees and is the closest campground to town. For those seeking dispersed camping, East Fork Cxts-Dispersed Site Camping Area offers seven sites right on the water overlooking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River. These sites are located on the old highway to Yellow Pine, though the narrow road makes them unsuitable for large RVs. Other good options in the broader area include Ruby Meadows Trailhead for those who enjoy panning in nearby creeks, and Ponderosa Campground for boaters, all within driving distance of Yellow Pine.
What is the best time of year to camp in Yellow Pine, Idaho?
What is the best time of year to camp in Yellow Pine, Idaho?
The best time to camp in Yellow Pine is late spring through early fall (late May to mid-September), when mountain roads are clear and temperatures are moderate. Summer offers ideal conditions, though the 4th of July weekend and during the Harmonica Festival in August can be particularly busy at campgrounds like Yellow Pine Campground. For a nearby alternative during peak season, Warm Lake Campground east of Cascade offers a scenic destination with good hiking trails. Fall brings beautiful colors and fewer crowds, while winter camping is extremely limited due to heavy snowfall and road closures. Always check road conditions before traveling, as mountain weather can change rapidly.
What amenities are available at Yellow Pine campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Yellow Pine campgrounds?
Amenities at Yellow Pine area campgrounds tend to be rustic. Yellow Pine Campground offers basic facilities with one pit toilet and no running water, though it provides shaded sites along a creek. For those willing to travel a bit further, Poverty Flat provides a water spigot and outhouse facilities, making it slightly more accommodating. Most dispersed camping areas near Yellow Pine feature only fire rings and possibly a pit toilet. Campers should plan to be self-sufficient by bringing their own water, toilet paper, and trash bags. Cell service is limited throughout the area. For more amenities, campgrounds near McCall like Peninsula Campground offer water, power hookups, showers, and established tent pads, but require a longer drive from Yellow Pine.
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