Thompson Flat Campground

## Overview

Thompson Flat Campground is located high in the Albion Mountain Range of southern Idaho, near the towns of Declo and Albion. Visitors enjoy the area for its abundant trails, alpine lakes and scenic beauty.

## Recreation

The Twin Lakes Campground area is located just outside the campground and across the road. It offers picnic areas, horse corrals and access to a variety of trails.   
  
Lake Cleveland is a two-mile drive from the campground, offering fishing, canoeing and trail opportunities. Several additional hiking, mountain biking, horse and off-road vehicle trails are on the mountain. 

## Facilities

The campground contains three group sites, which can accommodate from 40 to 64 people, respectively. All sites are equipped with large picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. There are four reservable single units and four double unit campsites as well as 17 additional single-family campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but the group sites must be reserved.   
  
Accessible vault toilets are provided. A campground host is located on-site. Roads and parking spurs within the campground are gravel.

## Natural Features

The campground is situated in a beautiful wildflower-filled meadow lined with tall pine and fir trees, on the eastern slope of Mount Harrison. It sits at an elevation of 8,400 feet. 

## Nearby Attractions

A visit up the road to the Mount Harrison Lookout offers interesting area information and breathtaking panoramic views of the valleys below.   
  
Pomerelle Ski Area, just below Thompson Flat, offers lift-served hiking and mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides and a few dining options, generally on weekends.

Thompson Flat

Twin Lakes Campground

Sawtooth National Forest Twin Lakes Campground (Albion Division)

Bennett Springs Campground is a primitive, non-fee, non-reservation campground located in the Albion Mountains. It is composed of 6 campsites that can accommodate up to 8 visitors per campsite. This area is accessible for a season that varies usually between June through October and campground amenities include chemical toilets. Fishing is available in the creek. Drinking water is not available. The campground is well suited for tent camping.

Bennett Springs

## Overview

Lake Cleveland Campground is a very popular summer recreational facility. Located next to its namesake, the campground is divided into the East Side and West Side loops. Very popular with residents of local communities, the campground is often full every weekend from early July to Labor Day. 

## Recreation

Fishing, kayaking, hiking and swimming are all popular activities within the Lake Cleveland area during the summer months. Non-motorized boating and floating is allowed on Lake Cleveland. Motorized recreation is limited to system roads and trails; no cross-country motorized travel is allowed.

## Facilities

Seventeen camping sites are located in the East campground loop, seven of which are reservable, the remaining ten are first-come, first-served. The East side of the lake is best suited for large RVs and trailers. Nine campsites are available on the West side of the lake on a first-come, first-served basis. Trailers are not advised on the West side of the lake because the turn-around is very tight (limited space due to steep terrain).

## Natural Features

At an elevation of 8,300 feet, the campground facility is located in an alpine lake basin below Mt. Harrison which has an elevation of 9,240 feet. Late season snowdrifts on the county road and in the campground often block access until early to mid-July. The campground is near the timberline and alpine wildflower meadows. Expansive views north across the Snake River Plain and south into Utah and Nevada can be found near the campground. 

## Nearby Attractions

Two miles from Lake Cleveland, Mt. Harrison has a fully functional fire lookout tower. Nearby Pomerelle ski area offers lift-served access to mountain bike and hiking trails. Two miles away, Twin Lakes Campground offers equestrian facilities and access to the Skyline Trail which is open for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and dirt bikes.

Lake Cleveland - East Side

Lake Cleveland East Campground

Lake Cleveland Campground is a very popular summer recreational facility. Located next to its namesake, the campground is divided into the East Side and West Side loops. Very popular with residents of local communities, the campground is often full every weekend from early July to Labor Day. **Natural Features:** At an elevation of 8,300 feet, the campground facility is located in an alpine lake basin below Mt. Harrison which has an elevation of 9,240 feet. Late season snowdrifts often block access to the campground until early to mid-July. The campground is near the timberline and alpine wildflower meadows. Expansive views north across the Snake River Plain and south into Utah and Nevada can be found near the campground. **Recreation:** Fishing, hiking and swimming are all popular activities within the Lake Cleveland area during the summer months. Non-motorized boating and floating is allowed on Lake Cleveland. Motorized recreation is limited to system roads and trails; no cross-country motorized travel is allowed. **Facilities:** Seventeen camping sites are located in the East campground loop, seven of which are reservable, the remaining ten are first-come, first-served. The East side of the lake is best suited for large RVs and trailers. Nine campsites are available on the West side of the lake on a first-come, first-served basis. Trailers are not advised on the West side of the lake because the turn-around is very tight (limited space due to steep terrain). **Nearby Attractions:** Two miles from Lake Cleveland, Mt. Harrison has a fully functional fire lookout tower which is open to visitors on most weekends. Nearby Pomerelle ski area offers lift-served access to mountain bike and hiking trails. Two miles away, Twin Lakes Campground offers equestrian facilities and access to the Skyline Trail which is open for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and motorcycle riding.

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

Flat Canyon Dispersed Campground - Sawtooth National Forest

Independence Lake Campground and Picnic Area is a non-fee campground and picnic area where reservations are not required. There are 5 single sites. This area is accessible for a season that varies usually between July through October. Sites are handicapped accessible. Campground amenities include 9 tables and grills, toilets, and livestock facilities. No drinking water or trash service is available. Nearby Independence Lakes Trail (#35) is 3.1 miles to the Lake. Only non-motorized travel is authorized. The first mile is rocky, however the remainder is a reasonable grade with switchbacks to the first of four lakes in the alpine cirque basin. Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout; Types of fishing available include: Wade, Shore, Non-motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, Bait;

Independence Lakes Campground

Explore the Cotterel Mountains or hunt for upland birds and deer near this semi-developed camping destination. McClendon Spring was a favorite resting place for emigrants along the California Trail.

Mcclendon Spring Campground

USDA Forest Service

We loved our stay at Thompson Flat! We had a fantastic time and our dogs loved it too. We were one of 3 campsites in use during out stay in the last half of September. We never saw a camphost anywhere, but the forest service were thinning trees during out stay.  There were clear markings on the trees from antler rubbing by deer and elk.  You are in direct line with a tower on another mountain peek to the East and we got excellent signal for both cell and tv. Lake Cleveland is approximately 2 miles away and has great fishing opportunities. Mt. Harrison Peak is 3.1 miles away and gives beautiful views into the South and West of Idaho.  There is a fire watch tower there along with an interpretive area to learn about the plants in the area.  There is also a monument dedicated to nine military men that died in a military plane, B-24, that crashed nearby in  February 1945. There are restrooms at the campground, lake and Mt. Harrison. The roads are paved until you turn off to the campground and lake just off the highway.

Thompson Flat Campground

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