Grayback
Grayback Campground is located 36 miles northeast of Boise, Idaho, just off scenic Highway 21. Historic Idaho City is just two miles north of the campground. Visitors enjoy fishing in Mores Creek and exploring the Grayback Gulch Trail.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · big rigs in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Group sites | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 85 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
14 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 66 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 26 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 41 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 49 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 012 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 62 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 013 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 59 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 014 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 47 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 016 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 53 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 017 | GRAY | Standard | Back-in | 59 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 85 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The group campground contains two group sites with picnic and serving tables, grills, campfire circles and paved site pads. Site A can accommodate up to 150 people and 20 vehicles, and site B can accommodate up to 100 people and 15 vehicles. Both sites can be reserved at the same time, for even larger groups. The group sites share one accessible bathroom facility that has a men's and women's side, each with four stalls. There is also an accessible hand pump for drinking water and a dumpster that is shared between the two sites. The campground hosts 15 single sites and 3 double sites, each equipped with a paved parking spot, picnic table, lantern hook, and campfire ring. Three vault toilets, a two accessible hand pumps for drinking water, and dumpster are provided in the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Mid-May to Mid-October |
| Forest | Boise National Forest |
| Booking | This is a fee campground. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Boise, take State Highway 21 north for 36 miles. Campground access road is located on the east side of the road, between mileposts 36 and 37. Turn right and travel a quarter-mile to the campground.
| Nearest town | Idaho City, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43.8072° N, 115.8647° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
29 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
50 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Bob Greenwood's Ski Haus ↗ | 20.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Allan Marsh Travel Center ↗ | 22.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 39.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A Video Tour of Grayback Gulch Campground off Hwy 21, near Idaho City
Worth a stop
Highway 21, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, snakes along Mores Creek to Mores Creek Summit, Gold Fork and Banner Ridge, offering historic sites, hot springs pools and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forest along the way to the campground. The campground is only 2 miles away from historic Idaho City, which is an old gold mining town that hosts multiple restaurants, bars, shops, a vistor center, and a museum.
- 1.8 miBuena Vista Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.3 miCottonwood Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.2 miArrowrock Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miCharcoal Gulch2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowshoe and 1 more
- 1.7 miSouth of Town0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.8 miBuena Vista3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowshoe and 1 more
- 1.9 miMores Creek1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.2 miWarm Springs Gulch3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.3 miA-Connector0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.8 miBuena Vista Trailhead ↗Boise National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Boise National Forest.
- inBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated on a hillside about a quarter-mile above Highway 21, at an elevation of 4,200 feet. A Ponderosa Pine forest covers the site, offering partial shade. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant in the area. Mores Creek flows nearby, down the hillside from the campground
Recreation
Mores Creek can be accessed just below the campground. Anglers fish for whitefish and rainbow trout. Grayback Loop Trail begins within the site, offering a 1-mile footpath for hikers. Numerous trail opportunities are in the area just north of Idaho City, where hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicles can be enjoyed. During the winter, the area becomes a playground for back country skiers and snowmobiles.
Guidebooks for Idaho
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Grayback?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Grayback?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Grayback have?
14 sites, including 12 standard sites without power and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Grayback?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Grayback?
Yes, pets are allowed at Grayback. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Grayback?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Grayback?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Grayback?
Mores Creek can be accessed just below the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Grayback?
Idaho City, Idaho. Highway 21, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, snakes along Mores Creek to Mores Creek Summit, Gold Fork and Banner Ridge, offering historic sites, hot springs pools and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forest along the way to the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Grayback is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Grayback Campground And Group Sites - Reserve (0.2 mi, first-come), Bald Mountain Campground (7.5 mi, first-come), and Ten Mile Campground (9.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby