Boundary Creek Campground
Boundary Creek Campground is located at the edge of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, adjacent to the boat launch for the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. The site generally provides overnight camping for boaters waiting to launch the next day on their permit to float the Middle Fork. Of the 15 campsites, 5 can be reserved during the high-use season (June 15-Aug. 15); the remaining 10 are first-come, first-served. Outside of those dates, all 15 sites are first-come, first-served.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 5 |
Site guide
5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 009 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 16 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 011 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 012 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 013 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 009 is listed accessible |
The campground offers 15 campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Five of these sites are reservable during the peak season (June 15-August 15); the other 10 are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | Salmon-Challis National Forest |
| Booking | Units 9 through 13 are reservable at Recreation.gov for June 15 through August 15. |
| Fees | $10/Night for single unit is charged for overnight use. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Boundary Creek is accessed by a dirt road from Idaho State Highway 21, and is often closed by snowdrifts until late May or early June. The turnoff to Boundary Creek is located 23 miles west of Stanley, Idaho, or 107 miles east of Boise between mileposts 109 and 110 on SH21.
| Nearest town | Challis, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.5314° N, 115.2931° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
31 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMeadow Marsh Rx
48 mi from the campground · 70 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
A Photographic Tour of Boundary Creek Campground on the Salmon River
Worth a stop
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River flows over 100 miles through the heart of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, and originates 20 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho, at the confluence of Bear Valley and Marsh Creeks. Float permits are required year round. It was one of the original eight rivers in the nation designated as Wild and Scenic on October 2, 1968.
- 7.2 miBluebunch / Bear Valley Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.9 miNorth Fork Elk Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miBoundry Creek Road Corridor ↗11.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.4 miSulphur Creek Cutoff3.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.5 miSoldier Basin ↗13.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.2 miMorehead Mtn3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.4 miSulphur Creek ↗13.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.6 miMuskeg Creek ↗6 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.4 miMiddle Fork Transfer Camp & Trailhead ↗Salmon-Challis 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
Boise National Forest begins about 3.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.2 miBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
- 4.4 miSalmon-Challis National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,396,382 acres
- 6 miFrank Church-River of No Return Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 2,358,886 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
At an elevation of 6,280 feet, the campground is situated among lodgepole pine trees, near the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The air is crisp and fresh, even in the heart of summer, due to it's high elevation.
Recreation
Boundary Creek Campground is a popular spot for boaters running the Middle Fork of the Salmon. A nearby transfer camp provides long-term parking and trail access into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Visitors enjoy hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, fishing and viewing wildlife.
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 Boundary Creek Campground?
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 Boundary Creek Campground?
$10/Night for single unit is charged for overnight use.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Boundary Creek Campground?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Boundary Creek Campground have?
5 sites, including 5 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Boundary Creek Campground?
Boundary Creek Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Boundary Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Boundary Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Boundary Creek 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
Are there accessible sites at Boundary Creek Campground?
Site 009 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 Boundary Creek Campground?
Boundary Creek Campground is a popular spot for boaters running the Middle Fork of the Salmon. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Boundary Creek Campground?
Challis, Idaho. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River flows over 100 miles through the heart of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, and originates 20 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho, at the confluence of Bear Valley and Marsh Creeks.
Source: Getting there
What if Boundary Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Dagger Falls Campground (0.4 mi, first-come), Fir Creek Campground (7.3 mi, first-come), and Bear Valley Campground (9.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby