Forest service free dispersed camping | Wild Camping

September 1st, 2022 by donald.miller2356

Enter Lake Creek Drive through a swanky neighbourhood then keep left and join an unpaved road which has been treated for dust suppression, continue into a dusty gravel road which has some corrugations but nothing my 37’ class A couldn’t handle, just keep the speed down. A few exposed rocks but easily avoided. 3 day stay limit at this area but haven’t yet seen anyone checking although wouldn’t be surprised if the locals are. We stayed Labour Day weekend arrived Thursday left Monday never questioned? Carry on a couple of miles and road becomes a bit rougher. The stay limit changes to 16 days. We scoped it in our Jeep and decided against taking the motorhome up there but if we planned a longer stay we might have. Road continues for a couple of miles before a turn off to the right takes you to a pit toilet and turning area, no camping allowed here. We found it quite windy in the afternoon and returned to a fine layer of dust inside the motorhome no matter which side we left windows open. Pretty dusty area what with traffic passing but beautiful site with views North and South and wooded mountains rising in front and behind but not oppressive at our site. Most sites are reasonably level, none totally uneven. No amenities just some stone fire rings. The creek which mysteriously only fills with water overnight and dries up during the day is a lovely feature. Be ware though I have been advised that the Sheriff is not adverse to knocking camper up in the night and issuing them with $200 fines for camping out with the designated spots. These are clearly marked so you have been warned. Various reports re Cell net service, some say excellent considering it’s remoteness, however we use T-mobile which was worse than useless as it showed one bar but couldn’t connect to anything and Total Wireless which was marginally better and we used as a hotspot. Other carriers might be better, there is a signal here though so you should be ok, if you have equipment to amplify it which I don’t, but it the next upgrade!

May 28th, 2021 by miajl823

I wanted to camp in this area so bad because it is beautiful. But I needed to set up my tent so I could come and go as I car camp but if was just Too windy. Gusts kept blowing my tent away even with heavy rocks on it. Several sots with fire pits. Lots of RVS. But placed far enough away. If it weren’t memorial weekend I’d just try coming back at the end of everyday.

October 20th, 2020 by glenn

Lots of flat areas. Nice walk up to the lake and a stream along many sites. Amazing cell service. Hunters also use the area for camping and traveling along the road so it was a little busy when we were here.

July 29th, 2020 by AdventurousRetirees

Amazing views. Lake Creek Road is big rig friendly. There are three 38' 5th wheels in our group.

June 19th, 2020 by colemanfu

Wow just wow amazing pull out just north of town. We actually drove past a few open ones but did not drive it very deep (wanted to keep cell service). Looks like you could go back a few more miles. Stunning views and cold temps in the summer!

June 15th, 2020 by vennie1978

Dispersed camping all along this road. Very easy to traverse, I have seen small cars all the way to large RVs along here. Some people come through for day activities, but it is very quiet and the stars are magnificent

September 9th, 2019 by There and Back Again

Nice, quiet campsites set in a shallow valley. There is a stream that runs through it, so if you have a filter you’ll have no problem getting water. Extremely easy to find if you use the coordinates as listed. Would definitely stay again!

October 24th, 2018 by dgrolfe

Awesome places to camp. Close to town with few bars by T-Mobile. Very quiet...heard a pack of wolves howling several times early night.

September 3rd, 2018 by birico2

Great sites in serene valley within 15 min to downtown Ketchum. Follow Main st out of town north, turn right on lake creek dr and follow it through the swanky neighborhood, when it seems to end at the circle keep left an it’s a lovely quality forest service road. Sites begin after sign an are mostly marked with fire rings. No other amenities. Good cell coverage tho being close to town. Took our 19ft trailer down there an stayed for the max 3 nights quite nice.