Big Elk
Big Elk Campground is situated along Big Elk Creek on a quiet arm of the beautiful Palisades Reservoir, just 55 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the scenic Big Elk Creek 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 · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
3 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | A | 50 | Gravel | 160 / 50 | Yes | |
| B-1 | B | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 50 / 20 | Yes |
| B-2 | B | 50 | Gravel | 50 / 20 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This campground offers three group sites with picnic tables, campfire rings and grills. Site A-1 also has a picnic shelter and serving tables, and can accommodate up to 160 people. Sites B-1 and B-2 can accommodate up to 50 people each. Individual sites are available on a first come, first served basis only. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided, but there is no electricity. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May |
| Forest | Caribou-Targhee National Forest |
| Booking | Group sites can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or www.recreation.gov Other campsites are first-come/first-served. |
| Fees | $12/Night single sites, $24/Night double sites Group sites are $50/night up to 35 people, $1/person thereafter. $6/night extra vehicle, $6/Day for Day Use Fee |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Idaho Falls, Idaho, travel approximately 56 miles on Highway 26 to Palisades Dam. Once at the dam, continue 6 miles east on Highway 26, then turn left onto Forest Road 262 (Big Elk Creek Road) and travel 2 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 43.3225° N, 111.1161° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Mountainist ↗ | 12.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Airstream of Wyoming ↗ | 18.9 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A Photographic Tour of Big Elk Creek Campground in the Targhee National Forest
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miQuaker Flat4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miBig Elk Creek ↗11.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miWhiskey Springs1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miSheep Creek/Little Elk3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miLittle Elk Creek ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miBlow Out2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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 Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
- inCaribou-Targhee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,077,758 acres
- 0.2 miBridger-Teton National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,466,359 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 campgrounds lies on a hillside at an elevation of 5,700 feet, above Big Elk Creek among aspens and Douglas fir trees, which provide partial shade. Sagebrush and summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Recreation
Big Elk Creek has great fishing for cutthroat trout and the occasional Kokanee salmon. Canoeing and swimming are popular activities on the reservoir. A small boat ramp is located on-site. When the reservoir level is low, boats cannot be launched on Big Elk Creek. Big Elk Creek Trail, for hiking, biking and horseback riding, begins at the campground and meanders up a beautiful canyon brimming with wildflowers, towering trees and scenic views. Palisades Reservoir is across the highway, offering excellent boating, water skiing, swimming and canoeing. Lake and shore fishing are very popular there as well, with wild and stocked cutthroat trout as the predominate species. Kokanee salmon, brown and Mackinaw trout can also be found. A boat ramp is located at Calamity Campground less than 10 miles away.
Nearby
The Palisades Creek Trail begins nearby, leading hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders to beautiful Upper Palisades Lake and expansive views of Swan Valley. The Snake River and Swan Valley offer more great fishing and boating opportunities, as well as rafting, canoeing and numerous trails for hiking, biking, horseback and ATV riding. Fall Creek Falls is 20 miles away, and the Fall Creek area has hundreds of miles of such trails.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Big Elk?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Elk?
$12/Night single sites, $24/Night double sites Group sites are $50/night up to 35 people, $1/person thereafter. $6/night extra vehicle, $6/Day for Day Use Fee
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Elk?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Elk open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Elk have?
3 sites, including 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Elk?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Can I have a campfire at Big Elk?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Elk?
Big Elk Creek has great fishing for cutthroat trout and the occasional Kokanee salmon. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Elk is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Riverside Park Campground (4.6 mi, first-come), Blowout Campground (4.8 mi, first-come), and Calamity (5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby