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Caribou-Targhee/Scout Mountain
Overview
Scout Mountain Campground offers a serene escape within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, located just a short drive south of Pocatello, Idaho. Situated at an elevation of approximately 6,900 feet, this US Forest Service facility provides a cool, forested retreat during the warm summer months. Unlike developed commercial resorts, this park emphasizes a natural camping experience where the focus remains on the breathtaking scenery and the quiet sounds of the mountain wilderness.
Location & Surroundings
The campground is nestled on the side of Scout Mountain, surrounded by a dense canopy of Douglas fir, aspen, and maple trees. This diverse forest cover creates a vibrant landscape, particularly during the autumn months when the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and gold. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and the unique volcanic rock formations that characterize this portion of the Idaho landscape, providing a sense of seclusion despite the proximity to the city.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional forest service site, the amenities here are designed to support a rustic stay. The campground features paved loops and graveled parking spurs that can accommodate most mid-sized RVs and trailers. While there are no electrical, water, or sewer hookups available, the park provides essential facilities including vault toilets and potable water accessed via hand pumps. Each individual site is equipped with a sturdy picnic table and a heavy-duty fire ring for evening campfires under the dark mountain skies.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw for visitors to this region. The Scout Mountain Nature Trail and the Justice Park Trail offer excellent opportunities for hiking and mountain biking directly from the campground area. Wildlife enthusiasts often spot deer, moose, and various migratory birds in the thick underbrush. For those seeking local history or supplies, the city of Pocatello is less than twenty miles away, offering access to the Idaho Museum of Natural History and various local dining options.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for boondocking enthusiasts and travelers who prefer a quiet, primitive setting over high-density RV resorts. Because of the winding mountain roads and specific site lengths, it is best suited for small to mid-sized rigs looking to disconnect from the digital world and hookups. It is a perfect match for hikers, photographers, and families who want to immerse themselves in the rugged, authentic beauty of Idaho’s vast national forest system.
Amenities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Izzy Zanin
Beautiful campground. Has pit toilets, no shower. There are water spigots to be shared. Each site has a nice picnic table and fire pit. Dry camping but if you're self-contained you're fine
Janet White
Lovely, shaded USFS campground with roomy sites. $20 or half off with a pass. Would give it 5 stars if the sites and pit toilets were better maintained. Some sites have trash in them. Bathrooms...out of soap and in one, dead flies everywhere. The mgmt company needs to up their game.
melissadc76
This is always a nicely kept campground close to home. It's currently $20 per night (insert complaint about rapidly rising costs here). It was safe, quiet, clean, and friendly vibes. Little critters visited our camp, but weren't problematic.
Kylie Jackson
Always a good time! The camp host is attentive and vault toilet bathrooms are cleaned multiple times a day. Potable water. We love coming here.
Ray Taylor
I was there for two nights. First off I really enjoyed the views. Being it sits at around 6,900 elevation, you can see a long way. Being that high also made it cooler than the valley below. The nights weren't very cold. There is plenty of places to hike. The cell service was a bit spotty but works. The restrooms were clean for a the vault toilet. I was up there with family and we had a dog. A lot of dogs with people there. All were managed well. There is not much wood around for camp fires. So you might want to bring some if you plan on a fire in the provided pits. Around noon some of the camp sites don't provide much shade. So additional shade is a good option. There is running water spread around the spaces.
Jerry Belnap
Didn't go to the campground - took a right and headed south on East Fork Mink Creek trail. Explored 2-3 miles out and back. Absolutely gorgeous!
Ling C
This campground is so beautiful, relaxing, tranquil place I’ve ever been with my family. My dad, his brothers & sisters grew up having fun in these mountains & I can see why. You could hear cows in the distance, squirrels all over the place, & a baby chipmunk running around. The campgrounds were spaced out more than comfortably & our camp was clean when we arrived. The atmosphere was so pretty & so many different trees flowers & plants to look at.
The Long Last Road Trip
Beautiful campground near the top of scout Mountain.. surrounded by old-growth pine trees and beautiful wild flowers. The views are breathtaking there Pit toilets could use a little attention but they were doable. Each campsite came with a picnic table and a fire ring. My site was all concrete so I was level. It was very peaceful and I would definitely return.