Looking for the ultimate pet-friendly camping experience near Yellow Pine? The Dyrt can help you find the best campsites for you and your dog. These scenic and easy-to-reach Yellow Pine campsites are perfect for camping with dogs.
Ponderosa State Park offers every kind of overnight experience imaginable with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins for small or large groups, amid a beyond-scenic mountain setting next to Payette Lake. There’s always more to explore! Learn more about all that Ponderosa State Park offers.
Beautiful Payette Lake surrounds the Peninsula Unit and is the shoreline of the North Beach Unit of the park, located in the heart of one of Idaho’s most popular year-round destinations. Hike and bike on your own or with a guide, listen to a park naturalist in the evening at the amphitheater or walk with them on one of the trails. Children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program in the summer months. Visitors can meander the North Fork of the Payette River in a canoe or kayak (rentals available), Nordic ski on groomed trails, snowshoe on designated trails, or simply sit on the front porch of a park cabin and enjoy the spectacular view.
Whether you enjoy cooking in a Dutch oven at a primitive camp site or an indoor stove in the comfort of a deluxe, lakeview cabin, Ponderosa State Park presents plentiful overnight experiences with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins.
$15 - $40 / night
This campground is located adjacent to the Secesh River and offers beautiful river views. There are eleven camp sites. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app ht tps://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
There is fishing and trail access.
The South Fork of the Salmon River is a highly popular area of the Forest and is one of the earlier areas to be snow-free in the spring. Several campgrounds and dispersed campsites can be found along the South Fork Road (FS Rd #674). The southern-most 7 miles of the South Fork Road are on the Boise National Forest.
$10 / night
45 sites, no hook-ups. Central drinking water. Nice tent living pads. Vault restrooms. Boat Ramp with handling docks. Great birding area. Secluded campground.
At Last Chance Campground, there are 20 single and three double sites situated along Goose Creek in a mature Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir forest. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
This campground boasts many opportunities for recreation. Goose Lake is a short distance away, which features a picnic area, restrooms, and fishing piers. There is excellent fishing in the reservoir, or try your luck in Goose Creek, next to the campground. Popular Goose Creek Trail #533 begins at the campground and leads to Goose Creek Falls and onto Brundage Reservoir. Hiking to Goose Creek Falls is a family-friendly hike that everyone is sure to enjoy. A special treat is to go huckleberry picking in late summer along the trail!
Last Chance Campground is situated among large ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees, which offer a charming forested setting. The campground is situated along Goose Creek, at approximately 4,653 feet.
$15 / night
Located along side the South Fork Salmon River, this paved campground offers 10 campsites, including 4 walk in tent sites.__ This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.__ If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
__The campground serves as take-out for those floating the South Fork of the Salmon River from Goat Creek. Serves as the trailhead for an extensive trail system. Many loop hikes are possible from here, of varying lengths and difficulties. Open to those on foot, horses, mountain bikes, and trail bikes. Fishing in the river.__
__The campground serves as take-out for those floating the South Fork of the Salmon River from Goat Creek. Serves as the trailhead for an extensive trail system. Many loop hikes are possible from here, of varying lengths and difficulties. Open to those on foot, horses, mountain bikes, and trail bikes. Fishing in the river.__
The South Fork of the Salmon River is a highly popular area of the Forest and is one of the earlier areas to be snow-free in the spring. Several campgrounds and dispersed campsites can be found along the South Fork Road (FS Rd #674). The southern-most 7 miles of the South Fork Road are on the Boise National Forest.
$10 / night
This is a dispersed camping area located along the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River. The site is full during the Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival held in late July to early August most years, but otherwise is generally available for use. A good spot if you have stock. There are few amenities, 2 vault restrooms and fire rings mark the dispersed campsites. Some tables are available. Sites are accessed by native surface roads (gravel).
Overview: The Yellow Pine Campground offers 14 sites in a peaceful, remote setting near mountain slopes covered in dense pine forest. Peak season for the campground is typically early June through late September. It can be accessed by most vehicles; however the road is narrow and may be rough in spots. Natural Features: The campground sits in a pretty mountain meadow a stone's throw from scenic Johnson Creek, a tributary of the South Fork Salmon River. Wildlife watchers may see deer, elk, bear and moose. Bald eagles are often spotted soaring overhead. Recreation: The campground is near several trailheads into the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. Check on the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for non-motorized and motorized trails. The area is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety message. The South Fork Salmon River and Johnson Creek offer opportunities for fishing. Berry picking and hunting are popular pastimes in season. Nearby Attractions: The tiny community of Yellow Pine established in 1902 is just north of the campground and offers limited services. The popular Yellow Pine Music & Harmonica Festival is held annually in August.
Located next to the Big Creek airstrip this four unit campground offers a good staging place to access the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. It is popular with pilots camping overnight in Big Creek. The campground is near the Big Creek Work Station.__ The four walk-in campsites are near a small stream, which flows into Big Creek.__ This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.__ If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app ht tps://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Trailhead access to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to the north on FR 371. Fishing in Big Creek.
Trailhead access to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to the north on FR 371. Fishing in Big Creek.
$10 / night
Shoreline Campground is located just across the road from beautiful Warm Lake, at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and viewing local wildlife.
Warm Lake offers great fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. Boating, canoeing and swimming are popular activities. Billy Rice Swim Beach is nearby, offering a day-use site for picnicking and swimming. A boat ramp is located just across the road from the campground. The surrounding area offers great hiking, mountain biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding, and hunting. The WeWuKiye (Wa Wu Kia) Trail No. 252 is popular among hikers and mountain bikers. It was recently built and can be accessed at the campground's entrance. For off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Telephone Ridge Trail No. 112 offers 20 miles of trails for all riding levels, with staging areas within the campground and at Warm Lake Campground just down the road.
Warm Lake offers great fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. Boating, canoeing and swimming are popular activities. Billy Rice Swim Beach is nearby, offering a day-use site for picnicking and swimming. A boat ramp is located just across the road from the campground. The surrounding area offers great hiking, mountain biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding, and hunting. The WeWuKiye (Wa Wu Kia) Trail No. 252 is popular among hikers and mountain bikers. It was recently built and can be accessed at the campground's entrance. For off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Telephone Ridge Trail No. 112 offers 20 miles of trails for all riding levels, with staging areas within the campground and at Warm Lake Campground just down the road.
The campground is situated in a mixed-growth lodgepole pine forest, which offers partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant in the area. A variety of wildlife including bears, deer, elk, fox, grouse, eagles, osprey, grosbeaks, whooping cranes and otters, lives around the lake.
$50 / night
This campground is a 5 unit campground open for recreational users with stock. Hitchrails at all the units are available to tether stock. Campsites are adjacent to the Secesh River. Trail access to #080 trail. No hook-ups.
$10 / night
Traveler
We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in October. There were many spots available along the road leading up to this site. But they were close to the road and we wanted to be off the road. We ended up at the last spot on the road right before the interpretive trail at the end. This spot was tucked into the trees. And once we got our camper backed in, we didn’t even know the road was there. And the VIEW! Wow!! Looking across the lake with the most beautiful sunsets. We stayed for 3 nights. We set up Starlink so we could work on Friday and had no issues with the connection.
Scout
We had the place to ourselves. Great small campground if you want to get away from everything.
Traveler
Two other RVs already here so we backed into the shaded nook just as you pull off Lick Creek Rd. Views of the lake but log jams and swampy shore mean no access.
No bugs during the day but Dawn/dusk mosquitoes.
Ranger
Spend 6 nights here while exploring Stanley, the sawtooths, and Boise National Forest. Big sites, beautiful lake, and very private. Really enjoyed our stay here.
Guide
Owners were very helpful about the activities in the area.
Scout
Campsite is just outside of town next to the lake. Good little spot to pull up. We stayed one night and paid $15. Lots of campsites were full on the other side, this was good being so close to the tamarack resort.
Scout
they have absolutely destroyed what we use to love..they put sand in every camping spot with railroad ties and huge spikes make sure you like sand in your shoes and in your tents and campers.. the placement of the fire pitts make it where you cant sit around the fire ..carry a flashlight at all times so you dont trip over the ties that they have placed …they took family sites big enough for 10 people and made them so close you can actually hear the next site breathing in their sleep..the camp host by the Name of Tod Had a nasty additude towards my wife when we had first woke up at 8:00 am hounding us about money..sorry we got there at 3:00 in the morning we were going to stay for 14 days and left in 3 they made nature into a aparment style camp ground i guess thats what happends when greed takes over..we have never had problems before ..camp hosts were great and now they need blue and red lights on top of their wheelers..now you look out your front window used to see the lake and mountains now you see the top of some ones tents…way to go IFAG..
Scout
I called (no one answered @4:45pm)... then we drove because it was on our way... and there was no one. The restaurant was closed... it is 6:15pm.. maybe they aren't open past 6?
Scout
We’ve been here twice now. First 2021 and again June 2024. Campground is well kept. Showers and facilities clean. Minutes from Donnelly Idaho for “the things you forgot”. Great views coming back again for sure.
Guide
Stayed two nights here. Very nice, large campsite spots with picknick table and fire pit. Friendly camp host. Clean vault toilets. Goose Trial is right at the campsite. Nice easy trial. First come spots. We came in late 700pm but there were a lot of spots left.
Guide
Very calm and peaceful this weekend. Able to get our favorite spot by the river.
Guide
This place is nice but no campfires allowed which my boys love to do. However, they have swimming pool, jacuzzi, and free popcorn all day!
Guide
We stopped by mid- Oct but didn't camp since water is already turned off. BUT , it's a beautiful campground.
Guide
The gps for this site was off. It says to take a left at the fork. But the reservoir is to the right. Just follow the posted sign. It was nice and peaceful, tad bit chilly since it’s October. Last year I wasn’t able to get a spot near the lake but there is so many places to boondock up there.
ScoutWe love camping in this campground. The reason for only three stars is because of the extremely rude behavior of the"camp host". We will not be going back as long as she is still there. This is our third time camping there and we have never seen treated so poorly by a camp host.
Guide
Nice park and facilities. Very friendly check-in. Small store in park. Clean and well kept grounds.
Traveler
We loved it! We hadn't made reservations so only got to stay one night but plan on going back. The campground is Huge and accommodates a lot of spaces but they are far enough apart to not feel at all crowded. Lots of activities, biking, lake, showers, laundry, full hookup.
Guide
There are new owners for 2023 season. They are working on improving the park's services and amenities. The park has mature trees providing ample shade throughout the day. Most sites have a concrete patio and grassy area. The photos on their website provide an accurate description of the Motel and park. We were on the Main Street side of the RV park. There is a wee bit of road noise during the day. It is quiet at night. There are a number of sites occupied by folks staying for the summer. Made reservations for the week of 4th July. Everyone working at the RV Park was very friendly and helpful. The camp host and Maintenance person, Steve was especially helpful. We pulled into RV Park and discovered the coach had developed a short that tripped the power pedestal breaker. Steve played a major role in locating and helping me fix the shorted wire run. Our stay would have been ruined without his help. Next time I stay in the area, this will be my first choice of places to stay. We camped at Alpine Lodge and RV in a Motorhome.
Wifi is available. Verizon was 2-3 bars on phone.
Scout
Short walk to the lake beautiful views, so many little critters. Right next to the road though so a lot of cars kick up dust on the way by.
TravelerForest Service campground, no hookups, so be prepared. There is pressurized water (no hand pump). But it’s a 1 lane road, so if you are filling up a big tank, might block traffic.
Campground is split into two sides. The lake side has a boat ramp, but no beach area. Some sites can be reserved on recreation.gov.
Guide
Sites are all fairly close together with not a lot of privacy. The lake is beautiful, but expect noise from boats. The vault toilets were clean.
Legend
Shaded CG next to wilderness. 21sitea, three vault toilets, dumpsters, one hand water pump. No host. $10/$5 senior, 14d limit. Too shady for good solar or Starlink use by me! Sites are small and not suited for large TT or Rvs. CG road is narrow. No cell service TMobile.
Legend
This location is not too far east out of Cascade, Idaho and easy to access. Once we turned off the warm spring highway to the right, southbound, we made a decision at the Y to go left. it turns out that this is older camping going clockwise around. The lake itself And these campgrounds were kind of rundown and less attractive to us with our travel trailer. we came back out and went to the right. at the Y so that we were going to go counterclockwise around the lake. And we wound up in the improved campgrounds that are run by the YMCA. nice little loops with good parking, good roads and easy access Pulling our 30 foot travel trailer. We really enjoyed staying here. It was quiet, peaceful, not overrun, not full at every space in the campground. Great little reservoir for kayaking and fishing and hiking around the shores. we really like this place 'cause all of the various campground loops were well taken care of. we also liked the fact that if we wanted to run back into Cascade for dinner or supplies, it wasn't very far at all. we'll come back to this place and put it on our list of
GuideGreat RV park! Park has a food truck on the property which was a nice treat. Clean showers and laundry service. Also have decent phone service for the area. Park is clean and hosts are excellent.
ScoutVery friendly and helpful staff. We had a beautiful site on the river.
GuideNice view of the lake. Pretty big sites although not a lot of shade. Full hookups. Fireplace area was raked and cleaned. Tmobile works with winegard and my cell is att with 5 bars of 5g
Scout
We were hired as the park's camp hosts for the summer 2022 season and traveled over 2,000 miles for the job. We were extremely excited about the opportunity because it seemed like a dream job in a dream location. It is a family- owned and operated business and had all the indications of an excellent work opportunity. The agreement was 20hrs a week in exchange for our site. Our duties were the typical duties you see; cleaning the bathhouse, checking in guests, maintaining the sites, etc. We had the opportunity to earn additional wages on a case-by-case basis. Simple enough. We saw no red flags during our two phone interviews. However, over the next three months, things deteriorated rapidly. We found out some things the hard way (like, for example, the fact that they flew through 5 camp hosts during their first two years in operation- and the park is only three years old), and I'd like to spare anyone else from making the same mistakes we did.
So, let's get into the ugly.... It's a long read, but I promise I'm not being dramatic.
The owners' communication skills were almost non-existant. This created unnecessarily difficult situations on more than one occasion. Coupled with the fact that they frequently flip-flopped on the directions they gave their employees and waffled on the demands they made, working for them became increasingly frustrating and unrewarding. This became a massive sticking point because they claimed to excel in communication, when any employee could tell you that was a complete crock of (you know what).
They micro-managed unlike any employer I have ever seen (and I was active duty military for six years), which added to the stress. They also seemed to be completely out of touch with how long work around the park actually took. This is probably due to a combination of the facts that they were used to employing primarily family members (who would not mind selflessly working without having every hour of labor compensated) and that they had never actually done the work themselves. Things look very different from an air conditioned office than they do out in the heat. Appropriate attempts were made to handle issues through the proper channels, but at best they were ignored and at worst they were responded to with passive aggression. Apparently, as part-time employees, we were expected to read their minds, anticipate their needs, and go far above and beyond what any reasonable person would consider appropriate to communicate.
There were a thousand little cuts that added up to an insurmountable degree of inconvenience, but a few of the biggest were feeling that my time and labor were undervalued, that I could not leave the property on any day other than my off day (but could not expect to be compensated for the hours I was essentially held hostage there), that I had to walk an impossible balance between working enough hours but not working too many (a vague detail of our contract that we never did receive clarification on, no matter how many times we asked), a lack of clear communication, and feeling that we were looked down upon as "less than" them. And since we lived on the property, it was impossible to leave the work at work, and find any peace at home.
The kicker and final nail in the coffin of this whole thing was when, after leaving an honest review and feedback of the company through a public channel, one of the owners sent my spouse a nasty wall of text message, full of ageist inuendos and rude implications about the type of employment we would be best suited for. Apparently, when their behavior had the potential to make them look bad in a public space, the owners were all too eager to "communicate". The entire thing came off as tacky and unprofessional, and I regret giving them so much of our hard work and effort.
I'd like to give an honorable mention to some of the other, full-time employees, like our manager Chris who was very sweet (but very much not in control of anything). If it had been possible to only work for her, we would not have left. But the owners' personalities are toxic and overbearing and it was completely untenable. Since we left, the RV park ran an aggressive hiring campaign ad on Facebook, so there's a chance you may have seen it. Please save your sanity (and gas money) and do not entertain the opportunity.
Super fun fact that actually isn't fun at all- one of the owners is now the Idaho County State Senator....😊
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Yellow Pine, ID is Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 36 reviews.
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