USDA Forest Service · Idaho
Bad Bear Campground
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 6
- Hookups
- 6 with water, 6 no hookups
- Season
- May 21 to September 26
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,974 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BAD BEAR CG (NFSR 025J) · bituminous surface treatment · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Boise National Forest
- Nearest town
- Idaho City
- Address
- P.O. Box 129, Idaho City, ID, 83631
- Phone
- 208-392-6681
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing
6 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
6 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Overview
Bad Bear Campground is located 48 miles northeast of Boise, Idaho, in the scenic Boise National Forest on the Idaho City Ranger District, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant. Historic Idaho City is just 11 miles south. Mores Creek runs adjacent to the site, offering whitefish and rainbow trout fishing.
Highway 21, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, snakes along Mores Creek to Mores Creek Summit, Gold Fork, and Banner Ridge with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forest.
Recreation
Numerous trail opportunities are in the area, offering hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATVing. In winter, the area becomes a playground for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.
Facilities
This campground contains 5 single sites that can accommodate up to 6 people each, and one double site that can accommodate 12. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided, and most sites also have lantern hooks. The site is in an open area with shade in all sites. Vault toilets are provided. Parking spurs are paved. Due to its proximity to the highway, some noise from passing traffic is to be expected. No trash service. Pack-in-pack-out.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (208) 392-3700.
Nearby Attractions
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 15° | -4° | 46° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 34° | 19° | -7° | 46° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 41° | 25° | 9° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 44° | 26° | 13° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 58° | 35° | 25° | 75° | 6 of 11 |
| June | 70° | 46° | 32° | 86° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 55° | 41° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 55° | 45° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 45° | 37° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 56° | 34° | 12° | 74° | 8 of 10 |
| November | 45° | 28° | -1° | 63° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 13° | -1° | 50° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Mores Creek Summit Trailhead · 2.9 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- Whoop Um Up Trailhead · 5.8 mi as the crow flies
Pilgrim Loop 0.6 mi Hike · Drive there - Upper Crooked River Trailhead · 6.3 mi as the crow flies
Crooked River 12 mi Hike · Drive there - Gold Fork Trailhead · 7.9 mi as the crow flies
Gold Fork 2.1 mi Hike · Drive there - Buena Vista Trailhead · 8.4 mi as the crow flies
Buena Vista 1.6 mi Hike · Drive there
All 494 trails in Boise National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Ten Mile Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi · 15 sites
- Hayfork Group Cg · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- Edna Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 11 sites
- Beaver Creek Cabin (Id) · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 1 sites
- Black Rock · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 11 sites
All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.