Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Salmon-Challis/Park Creek
Overview
Park Creek Campground, nestled within the expansive Salmon-Challis National Forest near Mackay, Idaho, offers a serene escape for travelers seeking a primitive camping experience. Situated at an elevation of approximately 6,600 feet, this facility provides a quiet basecamp for exploring the rugged beauty of the Lost River Range. It serves as a gateway to high-altitude adventures, emphasizing a connection with nature over modern digital distractions.
Location & Surroundings
The park is positioned along the banks of Park Creek, surrounded by a transition zone of sagebrush and Douglas fir trees. Its proximity to Mount Borah, Idaho's highest peak, makes it a prime location for mountaineers and landscape photographers. The surrounding geography is defined by wide-open valleys and dramatic limestone cliffs, offering visitors stunning mountain vistas and frequent sightings of local wildlife such as elk and deer.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional forest service destination, the amenities focus on providing a functional and rustic outdoor experience. The park features specific utilities designed for self-contained travelers:
- Potable water accessible via a manual hand pump.
- Spacious sites equipped with heavy-duty fire rings and picnic tables.
- Clean and well-maintained vault toilets located conveniently within the loop.
While there are no electrical or sewer hookups available, the gravel pads are generally level and designed to accommodate various RV sizes in a natural, forested setting.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless recreation nearby. The Big Lost River is just a short drive away, offering world-class fly fishing for rainbow and brook trout. The Mackay area is also famous for its extensive OHV trail systems, which allow motorized explorers to reach historic mine sites and high alpine meadows. For those on foot, the nearby Trail Canyon offers challenging hikes with rewarding views of the surrounding wilderness.
Who This Park Is Best For
This location is ideal for self-contained RVers who prioritize peace, quiet, and direct access to the backcountry over resort-style amenities. It is a perfect match for hunters, anglers, and hikers who want to stay in the heart of Idaho's high country. If you are looking for a star-filled night sky and a true break from the hustle of city life, this rugged mountain retreat provides the perfect setting.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Perry Bugbee
We stopped here to explore for the coming campout. We were able to see a female moose and her baby in the pond that lies next to the campground. The cost is $5 per day. Most of the sites that were occupied were using tents. There are no hookups for RVs that I could see.
S Griff
Nice campground with a lot of trees. It had a fire pit and large picnic table. Vault toilets and pump water are centrally located. There is nearby water making the mosquitoes plentiful!
Keaton Reed
This campground is really nice. It is shady. It is well maintained. It is at a nice peaceful location. You are close to the road so you hear vehicles driving by all the time. That’s a bummer. But everything else is great.
Don Herman
Nice çamp.
John Doe
It was a bit of a drive out of sun valley, but it was a pretty cool place, with shade, and some water. There is no put in, and it's very shallow in areas.