Scout Mountain Campground

Area Status: Closed
Sout Mountain Campground Sign

Scout Mountain Campground is located on beautiful Scout Mountain at an elevation of 6,900 feet, just 13 miles south of Pocatello, Idaho. Scout Mountain is part of the Mink Creek area, a popular place for birding and wildlife viewing. Visitors enjoy exploring a variety of local multi-use trails.

Natural Features: The campground sits high atop the Bannock Mountain Range in a scenic forest of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and aspen, which offers partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant.

A wide variety of birds can be found in the area, including the Western Scrub-Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Mountain Bluebird, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees and Calliope Hummingbirds.

Recreation: Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and dirt biking are very popular activities in the area. The 1-mile Scout Mountain Nature Trail, which leads to several overlooks, has a recently refurbished trailhead guide sign, several plant identification signs and a nice sitting bench. The East Fork Mink Creek Trail begins within the site and the Crestline Trail is nearby.

Facilities: The campground contains one large group site for up to 100 people, with picnic and serving tables, grills and a campfire ring with benches.

Single and double sites are available as well, with picnic tables, campfire rings, lantern posts and tent pads. 

Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

Nearby Attractions: Cherry Springs Nature Area is less than 6 miles from the campground, with its pretty namesake spring, a stream for fishing, paved self-guided nature trails and picnic facilities. Mink Creek Nordic Center is about 5 miles away, with hiking and horseback riding trails in summer months and groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter.

At a Glance

Current Conditions: The road to the campground is paved and has a few switchbacks; RVs should have no trouble accessing the facility There are no electric, water or sewer site hookups at this campground This is a pack it in, pack it out facility; please bring garbage bags A fee will be collected on-site for extra vehicles parked anywhere but at the group site Horses, livestock and off-road vehicles are not permitted in the campground
Operational Hours: Campgrounds are closed Mid-September. Gated campgrounds cannot be used. Water in the campgrounds is turned off and athrooms are locked.
Reservations: This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov  
Area Amenities:
  • Camping trailer
  • Picnic tables
  • Tent camping
  • Toilets
  • Drinking water
Fees: For current fees, please go to Recreation.gov
Permit Info: Firewood Permits: Firewood permits are available to purchase from the Westside Ranger District June 1 through November 30 and allow the collection of wood that is standing dead or dead/down on the ground. Purchase is a minimum of 4 cords of wood for $25.00 with a maximum of 8 cords per household.   You must have a map and brochure of the Ranger Districts you will be cutting in and the Caribou-Targhee Terms and Conditions.
Usage: Medium-Heavy
Restrictions: ATV's or ORV's allowed on designated trails only. No riding in the campground. All equipment must fit on the site pad. Vehicles park in developed areas only. No livestock. No horses in campground. All pets must be on leash. All vehicles and RV's must park in designated areas only.
Water: Potable Water
Restroom: Vault Toilet
Passes: Federal Passes:  *America the Beautiful Pass (Annual, Senior, Access, and Military Passes) will waive fee to picnic areas and trailheads. Senior passes waive camping fees by 50% at campgrounds in the forest.  Federal Recreation Passes can be purchased at any ranger district office or at Recreational Passes | USGS Store.  
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: For additional information about campgrounds please call (541) 351-1182.

General Information

Directions:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
42.69167, -112.35889
42°41'30"N, 112°21'32"W

Take I-15 to exit 63 south of Pocatello. Follow the brown Mink Creek Recreation Area signs to Bannock Highway for 2 miles. Turn left up the canyon. Go 4.5 miles to the East Fork Mink Creek road and turn left. Go 5.3 miles up East Fork Mink Creek road to the campground.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Campground Camping

hiking,, fishing, berry picking, all terrain vehicle, bird watching, climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, nature trails, off-road vehicle trail, photography, wildlife viewing
No. of Sites 25
Reservation Info http://www.recreation.gov
Fire Information yes
Sleeping Shelter no

Group Camping

ATVs, biking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, hiking, horse riding, berry picking, hunting, nature trails
No. of Sites 1
Reservation Info http://www.recreation.gov
Fire Information yes
No. of Accessible sites 100

Rock Climbing

Horse Riding

Viewing Wildlife

Viewing Plants

Viewing Scenery

OHV Trail Riding

Interpretive Areas

Picnicking

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
42.69167

  Longitude : 
-112.35889

  Elevation : 
6520