Dispersed Camping Areas

• Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District

  The Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District provides a multitude of opportunities for recreation year round.  We are in the process of updating this site to provide you with the most current information.  If you cannot find the information you need here, please call our offices at 208-879-4100 for assistance.

  To assist you in planning your trip, we have divided the district into several areas they are:

  • Basin-Vally Creek
  • Bayhorse-Paasasikwana Naokwaide (formerly Squaw Ck)
  • Cape Horn
  • Challis
  • East Fork
  • Pahsimeroi
  • Upper Salmon River Road

  If you click on "Find an Area" and then click on the plus arrow the the left of the "Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District,"  you should see these areas and the trails and campgrounds within them.

• Basin - Valley Cr. Area

  This area encompasses trails and trailheads in the Basin Creek, Basin Butte, and Valley Creek area that are on the Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District.  Joe's Gulch and Kelly creek area are also here.

• Basin Creek Transfer Camp Trailhead
• Bayhorse - Paasasikwana Naokwaide Creek Area

  This area is a popular destination for a variety of recreation uses.  Paasasikwana Naokwaide was formerly called Squaw Creek.  A partnership with the State Park at the historic Bayhorse Townsite provides ATV trail riding. Camping and fishing at the campgrounds at Bayhorse and Little Bayhorse Lakes draws visitors during the summer months.

• Cape Horn Area (MF6)

  This area generally encompasses trails, trailheads, campgrounds and other recreation opportunities in the Cape Horn Country that are outside the Wilderness boundary. Campgrounds in this area include Lola, Beaver, Banner, Bench and Thatcher, just off Highway 21, plus Vader Rest Stop. In the winter, the Cape Horn Guard Station may be rented.

• Challis Area

  The area around Challis provides many opportunities for day hikes and drives as well as camping and backpacking.  You can check out the Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive center just south of the town of Challis and start your tour of the Custer Motorway.  You do not have to drive far from Challis to enjoy a variety of recreational activities!

• Twin Peaks Camping Area
• East Fork Area

  The district has several miles of trails in the East Fork of the Salmon River country.  Access for these trails is generally from BLM lands.  Please respect private property when recreating in this area.

• Pahsimeroi Area

  The Pahsimeroi and Lemhi Mountains provide the setting for some amazing recreational opportunities.  There are two small campgrounds and numerous trails to enjoy.

• Yankee Fork Drainage

  The Yankee Fork of the Salmon has a rich history in it's many uses by settlers and prospectors.  Custer Townsite and the Yankee Fork Dredge are two major attractions.  You can stay at one of many campgrounds in the area or enjoy both motorized and non-motorized trails.

• Jerry's Creek Camping Area
• Leadore Ranger District

  Leadore Ranger District

• Bear Valley Trailhead/Upper Campground
• Lost River Ranger District

  Lost River District

• Antelope Canyon Area

  This is the area in and around Antelope Canyon, and can be accessed by Road #137.

• Arco Pass Area

  This area encompasses the King Mountain Launch Site and the Natural Arch.

• Copper Basin Area

   road 138

• Lemhi Range Area

  These are the areas located in the Lemhi Mountain Range south of Sawmill Canyon.

• Mackay Mine Hill Area

  This is the area directly above the town of Mackay that contains the historic White Knob Mining District

• Mount Borah Area

  This area has the Mount Borah Climbing Trail and Developed trailhead, the Earthquake Interpretive Site and the Leatherman Pass Trail.

• North Fork of the Big Lost River Area

  This is the area surrounding the North Fork tributary of the Big Lost River.  This area can be accessed by the North Fork Road (#128), which is located off the Trail Creek Road (#128).

• Squib Trailhead
• Pass Creek Area

  This is the area in and around Pass Creek, which can be accessed by Road #122.

• Sawmill Canyon Area

  This area can be accessed by Road #101.

• Trail Creek Road Area

  This is the area in and around the Trail Creek Road, #208.

• Wildhorse Canyon Area

  This area includes the Wildhorse Developed campground and numerous trails in the vicinity of Wildhorse Guard Station.

• Middle Fork Ranger District

  The Middle Fork Ranger District office is located in Challis, Idaho. It is one of six districts that comprise the Salmon-Challis National Forest. It administers and oversees over one million acres of land, including over 900,000 acres of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness (FC-RONRW) area, one of the last intact wild places in the lower 48 states.

  A land of steep mountains, deep canyons, and wild rivers, the Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness is the second largest Wilderness in the lower 48 states at 2.4 million acres. The FC-RONRW provides outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation experiences and is home to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, a world-renown whitewater river.

  The District oversees the management of the Middle Fork, 104 miles of free-flowing whitewater, where every bend reveals a new dramatic vista and a challenge to boaters’ skills. Visit our Floating the Middle Fork of the Salmon River page.

  Trails of the Middle Fork District - click here to access the Trail Condition Report, Trail Maintenance Accomplishment Reports, and other trail work documents.

   

  We are in the process of updating this site to provide you with the most current information. If you cannot find the information you need here, please call our offices at 208-879-4100 for assistance.

• Boundary, Sulphur, Pistol, Indian Creek Area (MF4)

  This area encompasses trails, trailheads, camping and other recreation opportunities on the District that are generally reached from or near the Dagger-Boundary Road #568, the Artillery Dome Road #550, or other roads/routes along the western wilderness boundary.

  There are two campgrounds, Boundary Creek and Dagger Falls, in this area. Boundary Creek is a popular campground for boaters beginning their float trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The Transfer Camp is a trailhead for the Middle Fork Trail and a long-term parking area for boaters.

• Middle Fork Transfer Camp & Trailhead
• Loon Creek Area (MF2)

  This area encompasses trails, trailheads, camping and other recreation sites surrounding the Beaver-Loon Road #172, the Loon Creek Road #007 and the Indian Springs Road #004. This area is roughly bordered by the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to the north, Loon Creek and Warm Springs Creek to the east, the Wilderness boundary to the south, and the Seafoam country on the west.

  Access roads are single-track dirt roads with high-elevation passes that are closed by snow during the winter. The Indian Springs Road #004 is steep, narrow, rough, and does not receive annual maintenance. There is a backcountry dirt airstrip (Upper Loon) near the end of the Loon Creek Road and near Tin Cup Campground and the Phillips Creek Trailhead.

• Marble, Sheep and Brush Creek Area (MF5)

  This area generally encompasses trails, trailheads, camping and other recreation opportunities that are west/northwest of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. It is roughly bordered by the river on the south and east, Marble Creek to the west, and the Payette National Forest to the north.

• Seafoam, Marsh Cr., Langer & Soldier Area (MF3)

  This area encompasses trails, trailheads, camping and other recreation sites that are generally accessed from the Seafoam area on the Middle Fork Ranger District. The Seafoam “bubble” is non-wilderness and contains the Josephus Campground and trailhead for the Soldier Lakes area. Be aware of the Wilderness boundaries.

• Sleeping Deer Area (MF1)

  This area encompasses trails, trailheads, and other recreation options originating mainly around the Sleeping Deer Road #086, a “cherry-stem” road west of Twin Peaks Saddle that is surrounded by the Frank Church--River of No Return Wilderness. This area is roughly bordered on the east by Camas Creek and Meyers Cove, by Loon Creek and Warm Springs to the west, the wilderness boundary to the south, and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to the north. This area has seen a lot of fire activity over the years.

  The Sleeping Deer Road is a single-track, high-elevation dirt road that opens late and closes early due to snow.

• Butcher Knife Ridge Trail - #6110