Scout Mountain Campground
Scout Mountain Campground is located on beautiful Scout Mountain at an elevation of 6,900 feet, just 13 miles south of Pocatello, Idaho. Scout Mountain is part of the Mink Creek area, a popular place for birding and wildlife viewing. Visitors enjoy exploring a variety of local multi-use trails.
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 | 13 |
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
14 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 013 | Standard | Pull-through | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 014 | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 015 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | ||
| 016 | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 017 | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 018 | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 16 / 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 005, 019, 024, 025 are listed accessible |
The campground contains one large group site that can accommodate up to 100 people, with picnic and serving tables, grills and a campfire ring with benches. Single sites, double sites, and one triple site are available with picnic tables, campfire rings, utility serving tables, lantern posts, and tent pads. The campground has first-come, first-serve campsites and reservable campsites. Visitors can first check with the campground host for available campsites. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Scout Mountain Campground is managed by Pinnacle Parks Llc under a special use permit with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
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. |
| Forest | Caribou-Targhee National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at http://www.recreation.gov |
| Fees | For current fees, please go to Recreation.gov |
| Rules | ATV's or ORV's allowed on designated trails only. No riding in the campground. All equipment must fit on the site pad. Vehicles park in developed areas only. No livestock. No horses in campground. All pets must be on leash. All vehicles and RV's must park in designated areas only. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Take I-15 to exit 63 south of Pocatello. Follow the brown Mink Creek Recreation Area signs to Bannock Highway for 2 miles. Turn left up the canyon. Go 4.5 miles to the East Fork Mink Creek road and turn left. Go 5.3 miles up East Fork Mink Creek road to the campground.
| Nearest town | Pocatello, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 42.6917° N, 112.3589° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- If the campground host is not available, visitors must check if the campsite is occupied, and if available pay at the fee tube.
Charges and cancellations
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Pocatello's public and free dump station and drinking water ↗ | 11.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Pocatello Running Company ↗ | 12.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 49.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Scout Mountain Campground, ID from Alexandra T.
Worth a stop
Cherry Springs Nature Area is less than 6 miles from the campground, with its pretty namesake spring, a stream for fishing, paved self-guided nature trails and picnic facilities. Mink Creek Nordic Center is about 5 miles away, with hiking and horseback riding trails in summer months and groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter.
- 0.1 miScout Mountain Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 3.4 mi
- 3.4 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miScout Mt. Nature Trail0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miEast Fork Mink Creek3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.5 miCamp Taylor South0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miScout-Crestline0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miScout Mtn Ridge0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miOverlook1.8 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- McCammon State Bank BuildingBuilding · McCammon · 8.7 mi
- H. O. Harkness Stable BuildingBuilding · McCammon · 8.8 mi
- Brady Memorial ChapelBuilding · Pocatello · 11.9 mi
Natural features
The campground sits high atop the Bannock Mountain Range in a scenic forest of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine and aspen, which offers partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A wide variety of birds can be found in the area, including the Western Scrub-Jay, Juniper Titmouse, Bushtit, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Mountain Bluebird, Green-tailed and Spotted Towhees and Calliope Hummingbirds.
Recreation
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and dirt biking are very popular activities in the area. The paved 1-mile Scout Mountain Nature Trail loops the campground, leading to several overlooks. The East Fork Mink Creek Trail begins within the site and the Crestline Trail is nearby.
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 Scout Mountain 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 Scout Mountain Campground?
For current fees, please go to Recreation.gov
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Scout Mountain Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Scout Mountain Campground?
A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Scout Mountain Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Scout Mountain Campground have?
14 sites, including 13 standard sites without power and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Scout Mountain Campground?
The longest site here provides 70 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 Scout Mountain Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Scout Mountain Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Scout Mountain Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. ATV's or ORV's allowed on designated trails only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Scout Mountain Campground?
Sites 005, 019, 024, and 025 are 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
Is there cell service at Scout Mountain Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 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 Scout Mountain Campground?
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and dirt biking are very popular activities in the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation