U.S. Forest Service · Caribou-Targhee National Forest · Pocatello, ID

Malad Summit Campground

Malad Summit Campground is situated next to Mill Creek, just 14 miles north of Malad, Idaho, at an elevation of 6,100 feet. Visitors enjoy hiking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle riding on the area's many 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 ↗
The entrance to Malad Summit CampgroundRoad sign leading to Malad Summit CampgroundCreek at Malad SummitA campsite at Malad Summit
Photos courtesy of USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups5
Group sites1
Host/management2
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

6 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
002StandardPull-through45GravelFull8 / 1Yes
004StandardBack-in30GravelFull8 / 1Yes
006StandardPull-through45GravelPartial8 / 1Yes
008StandardBack-in60GravelFull8 / 1YesYes
011StandardBack-in50GravelPartialNo / –16 / 2YesYes
013GroupPull-throughGravelFullNo / –125 / 25YesYes

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

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length125 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySites 008, 011, 013 are listed accessible

The campground is open year-round and contains one large group site that can accommodate up to 125 people. It is equipped with large picnic tables, a serving table, a grill, a campfire ring with benches, tent pads and a gravel parking area. The campground has first-come, first-serve campsites and reservable campsites. Visitors can first check with the campground host for available campsites. Single-family campsites and one double site campsite are also available within the campground. Each campsite is equipped with a table, campfire ring, and grill. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs within the campground are gravel. Security is provided by the host and periodic patrols by the county sheriff. Malad Summit 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

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
ForestCaribou-Targhee National Forest
BookingThis 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
FeesFor current fees, please go to Recreation.gov
RulesATV's or ORV's are allowed on designated trails only. No riding in campground. All pets must be on a leash. All equipment must fit on the site pad. No horses allowed.

Caribou-Targhee National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Malad Summit Campground20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.08 inches of precipitationFebruary: 1.06 inches of precipitationMarch: 1.50 inches of precipitationApril: 1.54 inches of precipitationMay: 2.29 inches of precipitationJune: 1.30 inches of precipitationJuly: 0.96 inches of precipitationAugust: 1.01 inches of precipitationSeptember: 1.44 inches of precipitationOctober: 1.31 inches of precipitationNovember: 1.08 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.07 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 23.3°F averageFebruary: 27.2°F averageMarch: 36.3°F averageApril: 44.4°F averageMay: 52.6°F averageJune: 60.9°F averageJuly: 69.8°F averageAugust: 68.4°F averageSeptember: 58.9°F averageOctober: 46.5°F averageNovember: 34.4°F averageDecember: 24.9°F average0 in0.5 in1 in1.5 in2 in2.5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Downey, 9 miles from the campground at 4,865 feet, station USC00102667 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 16 inches a year.

Getting there

From Malad, travel north on Interstate 15 for 11 miles, to exit 22, Devil Creek Reservoir. Continue just over 3 miles north on Highway 191. Turn west and cross the highway on Forest Road 041 and continue just over 3 miles on a maintained gravel road, to the campground.

Nearest townPocatello, Idaho
Coordinates42.3503° N, 112.2758° 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.

Supplies & services

RV sales & serviceRV sales & service ↗28.2 mi
Dump stationPocatello's public and free dump station and drinking water ↗35.4 mi
Outdoor gearPocatello Running Company ↗36.5 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

  • 0.4 mi
    Summit to Rowley Canyon
    2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 0.5 mi
    Wright Creek Nat. Recreation T ↗
    7.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 0.6 mi
    Wright Creek to Rowley Canyon
    0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 0.8 mi
    Summit to Station Canyon
    3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 0.9 mi
    Mill Canyon ↗
    4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
  • 0.9 mi
    South Canyon Loop
    4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The campground is settled in a dense forest of maple trees, which offer plentiful shade. Stately Douglas fir trees dot the landscape. The campground receives snow throughout the winter.

Recreation

Mill Creek offers cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Numerous trails begin nearby, including the 12-mile multi-use Summit Trail, which connects with Farmers Canyon, East Elkhorn and Wright Creek trails. Old Canyon and South Canyon trails begin a short distance from the campground.

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 Malad Summit 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 Malad Summit Campground?

For current fees, please go to Recreation.gov

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Malad Summit Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Malad Summit Campground open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Malad Summit Campground have?

8 sites, including 5 standard sites without power and 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Malad Summit Campground?

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 Malad Summit Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Malad Summit Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Malad Summit Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. ATV's or ORV's are allowed on designated trails only.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there accessible sites at Malad Summit Campground?

Sites 008, 011, and 013 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 Malad Summit 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 Malad Summit Campground?

Mill Creek offers cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Malad Summit Campground?

Pocatello, Idaho.

Source: Getting there