Dispersed Camping

Dispersed camping is allowed anywhere on public lands throughout the Field Office, unless signed otherwise. Be aware that the Challis Field Office is an arid high desert climate so be prepared for substantial diurnal temperature changes, dry conditions (bring lots of water), and thin air (elevations range between 5,000 and 12,000 feet).

Motorized vehicle use is limited to existing roads and trails. Outside of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) you may travel off-road up to ¼ mile to retrieve downed big game and 100 feet for direct access to a campsite or to cut firewood. Please make use of these exceptions as sparingly as possible to reduce route proliferation. Be aware of fire/fuels conditions and seasonal restrictions.

Recommended Dispersed Camping Opportunities

Along the main North South travel corridor (Hwy 93) there are numerous side roads between Challis and Mackay that will lead you up to the base of the Lost River Range. A few of these carry all the way over into the Pahsimeroi Valley (Lime Creek, Double Springs, Pass Creek), and others dead-end into some pretty neat and rugged mountain valleys (Upper Cedar Creek, Sawmill, Elkhorn, Lone Cedar). By traveling a short distance off the highway you can set up dispersed camps along these side roads and then explore the alluvial fans and flats by foot or horse, or hike up into some of the canyons. Most of these roads are labeled with signs along the highway. Pass Creek Road (south of Mackay) is particularly pretty and has camping opportunities at a little higher altitude than the main valleys have to offer.

On the west side of Hwy 93, and south of Hwy 75, is a large block of land managed largely as WSA (managed to protect wilderness values until Congress designates or releases them), and for the Challis Wild Horse herd (approx. 200 horses). There are good cross country horse-backing opportunities here, as well as the chance to see wild horses, elk, antelope, and mule deer. There are no camping amenities here, so bring everything you need. Despite its WSA status, there are many unimproved vehicle routes you can follow (please stay on the existing, well established, routes), and the area is bisected by two main roads - Road Creek and Spar Canyon. These are both well maintained natural surface roads. The Paint Pot, about 3 miles north of Road Creek Road, is an interesting geological site to visit.

Within this area, the Herd Lake region is a little gem. The road out to Herd Lake is a well maintained gravel road, but it does have tight blind corners to negotiate. Trucks and horse trailers routinely make the trek, however.

Herd Lake Campsite is a single campsite with a vault toilet and picnic table (no potable water). The turnoff is 1 mile short of the Herd Lake Overlook parking area and is labeled with a roadside sign. There is an unimproved trail (across the creek) which leads from here up to Herd Lake and beyond.

Upper Lake Creek Campground. To get here, park at the Herd Lake Overlook parking area, then take horses, mountain bikes, or travel by foot for 5 miles along the road which continues beyond the overlook and which is closed to motorized traffic. At the end of the road (which is a steady grade of switch-backs) is the campground which has a couple of picnic tables and a vault toilet (due to the remote nature of this site, it would be advisable to pack your own T.P… just in case). This site is rare for its remote nature and tree cover. It also provides a good opportunity to see elk and deer.

While Little Boulder Creek Campground is not a dispersed site, it is a good launching point for dispersed recreation opportunities. The parking area at the entrance of this site is heavily used by equestrian users as the trailhead for the Boulder Chain Lakes trail (located ¼ mile or so further south on the East Fork road) which is well loved by hikers, equestrian and motorcyclists. The campground is a fee site (currently $6/night), has a vault restroom, potable water via a hand pump, and 3 sites with picnic tables and fire rings. It is located along the East Fork River and has plenty of shade trees. Horses are allowed in the entrance parking area, but please keep them out of the camping/tree area.

Note: If you continue on past the BLM Little Boulder Creek Campground for about another 15 miles, the road will end at the Bowry Guard Station which is operated and hosted by the Forest Service (you will have to pass through two closed gates, so please close them behind you). There are some dispersed and semi-developed areas to camp along the way and there is a great hotsprings at the end of the road.

Challis Field Office  |  1151 Blue Mountain Road |  Challis, ID 83226
208-879-6200  |  Fax: 208-879-6219 |  Office hours: 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F