Bull Trout
Bull Trout Campground is located on the shores of beautiful Bull Trout Lake at an elevation of 6,900 feet. The lake offers great fishing and canoeing opportunities. Many trails for hiking, biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding are in the area. Only equestrian users may reserve equestrian sites.
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 | 32 |
| Equestrian | 4 |
| Group sites | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 85 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
38 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 016 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 017 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 018 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 021 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 022 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 024 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 025 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 026 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 028 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 029 | BUL1 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 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 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 85 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | There is a $5 fee for vehicles entering the campground for day use. |
| Accessibility | Sites 016, 017, 018, 021 and 20 more are listed accessible |
This campground contains group, equestrian and single and double campsites, many of which are accessible. The group sites can accommodate up to 50 people each. Equestrian sites each contain a corral and large parking spur. Some sites are on the waterfront and have direct lake access, others have lake views. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Roads and parking spurs within the campground are dirt. A campground host is on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Mid-June to End of September |
| Forest | Boise National Forest |
| Booking | This is a fee campground with 38 sites. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Boise, Idaho, take State Street to Highway 55 north. At Banks, take Highway 17/Banks-Lowman Highway to Lowman. Take Highway 21 east to milepost 107. Turn left on Forest Road 520. Proceed on dirt road 2 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Lowman, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.2980° N, 115.2555° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
17 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
45 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
A Video Tour of Bull Trout Lake Campground 26 Miles West of Stanley Idaho
Worth a stop
- 0.6 mi
- 0.7 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miWarm Springs ↗14 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.7 miKirkham Ridge ↗35.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.3 miGates Creek ↗5.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.3 miCopper Mountain Trail - Winter0.6 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 3.5 miIron-Lola Creek0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.5 miIron-Lola Creek ↗18.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miWarm Springs Trailhead (Bull Trout) ↗Boise National Forest
- 0.7 miKirkham Ridge Trailhead (Bull Trout) ↗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
- 7 miSawtooth National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,190,139 acres
- 12.1 miSawtooth Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 217,511 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 in a mixed-growth forest of Douglas fir and lodgepole pine, which offers partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant.
Recreation
Bull Trout Lake offers excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities, as the lake is for non-motorized watercraft only. Anglers fish for brook and rainbow trout. A primitive boat ramp is located on the west side of the lake. Martin Lake is nearby, offering canoeing and fishing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Many miles of trails can be found in the area, including the 11-mile Warm Spring Trail for hikers. The 35-mile Kirkham Ridge Trail is open to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and dirt biking.
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 Bull Trout?
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 Bull Trout?
There is a $5 fee for vehicles entering the campground for day use.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bull Trout?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bull Trout have?
38 sites, including 32 standard sites without power, 4 equestrian sites, and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bull Trout?
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 Bull Trout?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bull Trout. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bull Trout?
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
Are there accessible sites at Bull Trout?
Sites 016, 017, 018, and 021 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 24 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Bull Trout?
Bull Trout Lake offers excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities, as the lake is for non-motorized watercraft only. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bull Trout?
Lowman, Idaho.
Source: Getting there
What if Bull Trout is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bench Creek Campground (1.8 mi, first-come), Banner Creek Campground (4.3 mi, first-come), and Thatcher Campground (7.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby