Cold Springs Campground
Cold Springs Campground is located near Lost Valley Reservoir, just 10 miles from New Meadows, Idaho. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and swimming.
More like this: reservable in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 30 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Group | Pull-through | 120 | Gravel | Full | 75 / 12 | Yes | |
| G2 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Group | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | Full | 50 / 6 | Yes | |
| 001 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 002 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 43 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 50 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 004 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 57 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 005 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 006 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 36 | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 007 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 39 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 008 | COLD SPRINGS CAMPGROUND | Standard | 33 | 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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 24 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 005, 030, Scan and Pay Double, Scan and Pay Single are listed accessible |
The campground offers two group sites that can accommodate up to 75 and 50 guests each. Several additional single and double-family sites are available as well. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs are gravel. The campground has no hookups or trash receptacles. Please pack out your trash. A boat ramp is located on the southeast shore of Lost Valley Reservoir, while Slaughter Gulch Day Use Site can be found on the west shore.
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 | Payette National Forest |
| Booking | Check availability and make reservations up to six months in advance at: Recreation.gov. For the two group sites, reservations may be made up to 12 months in advance at Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $10/night single unit, $15/night double unit. Group Site A: $30/night, Group Site B: $20/night |
Weather by month
Getting there
From New Meadows, Idaho, take Highway 95 west for 8 miles. Turn onto Forest Road 089, located at the Pine Ridge Store junction. Take the gravel road approximately 2 miles to a fork. Turn left and follow the signs to the campground.
| Coordinates | 44.9489° N, 116.4400° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedCold Rx
1 mi from the campground · 1,094 acres
- PrescribedMill Creek Council Mtn Rx
11 mi from the campground · 1,817 acres
- PrescribedGoose Rx
12 mi from the campground · 529 acres
- PrescribedBrush Rx
14 mi from the campground · 150 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 19.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Joseph Fly Shope and Lamb Trading ↗ | 47.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
A Video Tour of Cold Springs Campground and Lost Lake North of Council
Trails nearby
- 1.7 miLost Valley Interpretive Trail ↗0.2 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.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Payette National Forest.
- inPayette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,407,306 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
On the National Register nearby
- Pacific and Idaho Northern Railroad DepotBuilding · New Meadows · 7.6 mi
- Col. E. M. Heigho HouseBuilding · New Meadows · 7.9 mi
- Meadows SchoolhouseBuilding · New Meadows · 9.5 mi
Natural features
The campground is set in an open meadow lined with ponderosa pines and fir trees at an elevation of 5,000 feet. A few sites are shaded, but most are not. Summer wildflowers are abundant.
Recreation
Lost Valley Reservoir is just 3/4-mile from the campground, offering boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. On the north end of the reservoir is the Lost Creek Interpretive Site, an excellent location for bird watching.
Nearby
Lost Valley Reservoir is less then a mile 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 Cold Springs Campground?
Sites at Cold Springs Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Check availability and make reservations up to six months in advance at: Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cold Springs Campground?
$10/night single unit, $15/night double unit. Group Site A: $30/night, Group Site B: $20/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cold Springs Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cold Springs Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cold Springs Campground have?
34 sites, including 30 standard sites without power and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cold Springs Campground?
The longest site here provides 24 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 Cold Springs Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cold Springs Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cold Springs Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Cold Springs Campground?
Sites 005, 030, Scan and Pay Double, and Scan and Pay Single 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
What is there to do at Cold Springs Campground?
Lost Valley Reservoir is just 3/4-mile from the campground, offering boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Cold Springs Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Evergreen Campground (4.7 mi), Lafferty (10.5 mi, first-come), and Last Chance (12.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby