Bad Bear Campground

Bad Bear Campground

About this campsite

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

Location

BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND•ID

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Weather Forecast

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TODAY☁️

26° / 17°

💧 7%

TUE☀️

26° / 16°

💧 1%

WED☀️

27° / 11°

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THU☀️

27° / 11°

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FRI☁️

26° / 11°

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Nearby Campsites

within 50km

1.7 km away

TEN MILE CAMPGROUND

Overview Ten Mile is small campground, a quick 48 mile drive from Boise, Idaho, along State Highway 21 on the Idaho City Ranger District of the Boise National Forest. The campground is about 10 miles past the Historic Idaho City and is split into two sections (Upper and Lower) by the highway. This area is known for its beautiful old forest of Ponderosa Pine. Wildflowers abound in the summer months. Fishing opportunities in Mores Creek and some campsites have creek access. Recreation There are numerous opportunities to go hiking, biking, horseback rising and ride off-road vehicles within a short car ride away. In the winter the area is a playgound for winter sports including cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Facilities The campground sites have campfire rings, picnic tables and a vault toilet, and a hand pump for potable water. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (208) 392-6681.

8.5 km away

Edna Creek

Campground: Edna Creek. Operated by Forest Service.

9.3 km away

BEAVER CREEK CABIN (ID)

Overview The Beaver Creek Cabin site was established for administrative use in 1912. The current dwelling was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps using standard blueprints for that time. Beaver Creek Cabin is open year-round. It's accessible by car in the summer months and by snowshoes or cross-country skis in winter. Guests arriving in winter should park at the Whoop-Um-Up Park N' Ski Area (permit required) and access the 1.5 mile Pilgrim Trail to reach the cabin. The trail is moderately difficult in normal conditions, and guests are responsible for their own safety. The cabin offers many creature comforts for an enjoyable stay. However, several of the amenities are only available seasonally. Guests should be prepared to bring certain supplies or gear according to the season. Recreation Numerous hiking, biking, horse, off-road vehicle and motorcycle trails are in the vicinity. Click here for an Idaho OHV Safety Message. During the winter months, miles of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails are right out the front door. The Crooked River, Beaver Creek and beaver ponds all offer good rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout fishing. The 1-mile Beaver Creek Trail leads to the Crooked River and several small swimming holes. Good hunting can be found in this area in season. Facilities The cabin can accommodate a maximum of four people with two twin beds with mattresses and one futon in the living room (bedding not provided). The kitchen is equipped with a sink, table, chairs, propane oven, and propane fridge (summer months only). A picnic table and campfire ring are located outside. Limited bear-proof trash recepticles are located at the back of the cabin (summer months only). Please be mindful and try to pack-out as much as you are able to. A wood stove provides heat. Be prepared to collect firewood during the summer months. Firewood is available November- April in the woodshed. Be prepared to split your own wood. The indoor bathroom is open in the summer and equipped with a sink, flush toilet and shower. An outhouse with vault toilet is available for winter use. Water is only available from May 20th through early October. The cabin does not have electricity, so guests must bring their own light sources along with extra batteries or propane. Natural Features A mixed-growth pine forest surrounds the area, offering pretty scenery and partial shade. Several creeks and rivers flow nearby, the closest being Beaver Creek. The cabin is nestled within the Boise Mountain Range at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Beavers are a common sight in this area, and several beaver ponds are nearby. Other wildlife includes mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, chukars, wild turkeys, eagles and the occasional black bear or wolf. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (208) 392-3700. Nearby Attractions State Highway 21 is known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. This 131-mile route starts in Boise and meanders through Boise, Salmon-Challis and Sawtooth National Forests with several points of interest along the way.

15.4 km away

BLACK ROCK

Overview Black Rock Campground is located approximately 20 miles from Idaho City, on the North Fork Boise River, at an elevation of 4,300 feet. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming and exploring local trails. Recreation The North Fork Boise River offers rainbow trout fishing in a beautiful natural setting. Many swimming holes can be found within a short distance of the campground. Numerous trail opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and dirt biking can be found in the vicinity. Facilities The campground contains 11 single campsites, each equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring, and lantern hook. Vault toilets, and drinking water are provided within the campground. Roads and parking spurs are dirt. Garbage Collection is not provided. Natural Features The campground sits on the banks of the North Fork Boise River, where Ponderosa Pines tower over the area. Most campsites have partial shade, but little privacy from other campers. A variety of wildlife makes its home around the campground. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (208) 392-3700.

16.0 km away

Barber Flat Cabin (Boise National Forest, ID)

Overview The Barber Flat Cabin site was established for administrative use by the Forest Service in 1923, and was used prior to that by the Barber Lumber Company. At the time, the Forest Service used a cabin already on-site as a guard station and then built a new one in 1927. The current cabin and outbuildings were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935, and the cabin today looks much as it did back then. Guests can drive to Barber Flat Cabin in two-wheel drive passenger cars or trucks, although the roads may occasionally be rough. The cabin provides most of the conveniences needed for a comfortable stay. Recreation Several multi-use trails run east and west from the cabin. Hikers and mountain bikers can access the Barber Flat Trailhead nearby, and the Hungarian/Sunset Trail is located just across the road about 200 yards north of the cabin. Other trails in the area include the Beaver Creek/Grand Mountain Trail and the Short Creek Trail, which is known as a haven for nesting ospreys. The river offers great rainbow trout fishing and many swimming holes. Seasonal big game hunting is another popular pastime in the surrounding area. Facilities The cabin can sleep six people on two futons and one bunkbed. The kitchen is equipped with a table and chairs, cookware, dishes, utensils, a propane stove, refrigerator and sink with hot water. The bathroom has a sink, bathtub and flush toilet. A wood stove is provided for heat and firewood may be gathered from the surrounding forest. A picnic table and campfire ring with benches are located outside. Limited bear-proof trash recepticles are located at the back of the cabin. Please be mindful and try to pack-out as much as you are able to. The cabin has no electricity, so please plan accordingly and bring your own light sources. Bedding, pillows and towels are not provided. Guests are asked to please use provided cleaning supplies to clean the cabin upon checkout. Natural Features Barber Flat Cabin is situated near the North Fork Boise River among towering Ponderosa pines at an elevation of about 4,300 feet. The cabin is surrounded by the Boise Mountains and tucked beneath Hungarian Ridge. Osprey nests are a common sight around Barber Flat. Visitors to this area may see other wildlife, such as mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, chukars, wild turkeys, eagles and the occasional black bear or wolf. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (208) 392-3700.