Bad Bear Campground
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.
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
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 4 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
6 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Springs | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 33 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Springs | 12 / 4 | Yes |
| 004 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Springs | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | Tent only | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Springs | 6 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
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.
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 with 6 sites. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the Idaho City Ranger Station, drive north on Highway 21 for almost 10 miles, then turn left at the sign for Bad Bear Campground. Bad Bear Campground is located at milepost 48, just beyond Ten Mile Campground.
| Nearest town | Idaho City, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43.9086° N, 115.6964° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
18 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
43 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 ↗ | 31.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | Allan Marsh Travel Center ↗ | 33.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A Video Tour of Bad Bear Campground on Hwy 21 North of Idaho City
Worth a stop
- 2.1 miMores Creek Summit Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 5 miWhoop Um Up Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 13.7 miKirkham Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 2.1 miSummit Flat ↗15 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.1 miMore'S Creek Summit ↗4.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.4 miAmerican Girl1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.6 miRabbit Creek ↗8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.6 miHungarian Ridge ↗10.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.8 miBunnee Rabbit0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.1 miMores Creek Summit 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
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.
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 Bad Bear Campground?
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 Bad Bear Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bad Bear Campground have?
6 sites, including 4 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bad Bear Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 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
Are pets allowed at Bad Bear Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bad Bear Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bad Bear Campground?
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 Bad Bear Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Bad Bear Campground?
Numerous trail opportunities are in the area, offering hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATVing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bad Bear Campground?
Idaho City, Idaho.
Source: Getting there
What if Bad Bear Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hayfork Group CG (under 0.1 mi, partly first-come), Edna Creek Campground (under 0.1 mi, partly first-come), and Ten Mile Campground (1.1 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby