Caribou-Targhee/Calamity

Anna Araujo

Loved it! We initially booked here but couldn’t find it, apparently we missed the entry sign so be vigilant as the original road is blocked off for construction. We decided to move out from Big Elk and spend our last day at calamity this Labor Day weekend. It gives you such a private feel but you can still hear the families laughing from a distance. The atv road up was a bit sketchy but fun! The bathrooms btw, WOW! Definitely will be back soon as seasons opens next year! 🫶🏽

Rose

My family and friends regularly enjoy camping together as part of our summer tradition, and this year we decided to try Calamity Campground for a two-night stay. In general, we had a positive experience—the campground was well-maintained, and the atmosphere was pleasant. However, we encountered an unfortunate issue with the campground host Heather, that affected our overall impression. While we acknowledge that we were a bit noisy and may have lost track of time, I personally apologized when the host approached us the following morning to remind us of the campground's rules. Despite this, the host’s tone remained unprofessional and confrontational, which caught us off guard. Rather than engaging in a constructive conversation, her response was dismissive and aggressive, leading to a rise in tension. The situation escalated when she told me to be quiet and even threatened to have us removed from the campground if we disagreed with her rules. As a group, we understand the importance of following rules and respect the campgrounds we visit. Our intent is never to cause trouble; we’re generally considerate, happy campers who simply want to enjoy our time in nature. It was disheartening to be treated in a manner that made us feel unwelcome, especially when we made an effort to engage respectfully. We hope that the campground management will consider improving the communication and professionalism of their staff, as it is an otherwise lovely place to stay.

Veronica Pedrosa

We recently went camping at Calamity campground and was impressed by the natural beauty of the place. The area is peaceful and not overly crowded, which made for a relaxing and enjoyable environment. However, our overall experience was negatively impacted by the behavior of the camp host, Heather. Unfortunately, she was quite rude—particularly toward my sister. When my sister politely asked if she could communicate the rules in a more respectful manner, Heather responded by telling her to “shut up.” This level of hostility was completely uncalled for and made us feel very unwelcome. Due to this interaction, we’ve decided not to return. It's a shame, as the location itself has great potential.

Nala Shepherd

Calamity Campground is a beautiful place, tucked away in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest above the Palisades Reservoir. Surrounded by towering trees and scenic views, it’s the kind of setting that instantly makes you feel glad you came. Our large group of 18 including four kids was in awe when we arrived. The sites were clean, the vault toilets well-maintained, and potable water was available on-site, which was a plus since we usually opt for dispersed camping. This time, we decided to try a developed campground due to its accessibility and rare availability. With the washed-out road currently restricting RV access, we were lucky to secure several tent spots. After setting up camp and enjoying a delicious meal together, we gathered around the campfire. As the night went on, we were joined by a few friendly young visitors, and the evening turned into a lively, joyful gathering—singing, dancing, and enjoying the peaceful night under the stars. Unfortunately, our fun came to a sudden halt when the campground host showed up. We hadn’t realized it was past quiet hours, and while we acknowledge we were too loud, the way the host handled it felt unnecessarily harsh. Instead of a polite reminder, she was confrontational and even threatened to call the police, treating us more like unruly children than responsible adults who simply got carried away by the moment. Later that night, she continued to patrol the campground multiple times, her vehicle lights flashing and the sound of tires on gravel making it hard for many of us to sleep. It felt excessive and disrupted the very quiet she claimed to be enforcing. The next morning, during breakfast, the host returned with more rules—no ATV usage inside the campground, no riding bikes—despite no actual infractions taking place. One friend had their ATV parked on a truck bed, and another had used theirs outside the campground. When our group member who booked the sites tried to apologize for the noise, the host (we believe her name was Heather) was aggressive and dismissive, even telling her to “shut up,” which was completely out of line and unprofessional. We love camping to enjoy nature, bond with friends and family, and unplug from daily life. While we absolutely respect campground rules and understand the need for quiet hours, the overly authoritarian behavior of the camp host completely overshadowed what should have been a relaxing weekend. It’s disappointing because this wasn’t our first time here—my previous visit a few years ago with a different host was much more pleasant. Bottom line: Calamity Campground is stunning and well-kept, but the current camp host made the experience stressful and uncomfortable for our entire group. Unless there’s a change in management, we’re likely to return to dispersed camping where we can enjoy nature without feeling policed.

JGgB

Lake was clean and nice, but a few people and the area was very clean. Bathroom was also clean and water right next to it just that the trash bins aren’t available and you will need to carry your trash out once you’re done. We did see some big poop right next to our campsite though.