Cold Springs Campground
Cold Springs Campground is one of four campgrounds along Idaho's State Highway 55, next to the North Fork of the Payette River. This area is a popular location for river rafting trips and camping. This campground rests at 3,878 feet.
More like this: reservable in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS01 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | Riverfront | 50 / 10 | Yes | Basic |
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
| Max vehicle length | 12 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
This campground has five sites situated as a group area, each with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets are provided. Because of its proximity to the highway, some noise from passing traffic is to be expected.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Mid-May to End of September |
| Forest | Boise National Forest |
| Booking | Make your reservations at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Maximum number of guests is 50. Extra vehicle fees may apply. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Cold Springs Campground is located in southwestern Idaho, 41.5 miles north of Boise. Take State Highway 55 north to Banks (35 miles). Proceed north on Highway 55 (6.5 miles) to campground on westside of highway. Watch for recreation signs.
| Nearest town | Emmett, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.1933° N, 116.1128° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
33 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMill Creek Council Mtn Rx
45 mi from the campground · 1,817 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 36.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Nelson's RV's ↗ | 38.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Best Campsites at Cold Springs Campground, CO
Worth a stop
Near the boat and kayak launch of the Payette River.
- 7.5 mi
- 8.6 miKyaott Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.2 miWest Mountain (South) Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.2 miSage Hen Creek Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 10.4 miAntelope Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
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
On the National Register nearby
- Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association (Sitpa) BuildingsHistoric district · Smiths Ferry · 7.5 mi
- Ola SchoolBuilding · Ola · 8.8 mi
- North Fork Payette River BridgeStructure · Smiths Ferry · 9.5 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated in a scenic canyon just above Highway 55. The mountains are forested with a mix of ponderosa and lodgepole pines and shade is plentiful within most of the campground. Summer days are warm, reaching 80-90 degrees; nights are cooler.
Recreation
The North Fork of the Payette River is a very popular location for expert kayaking. Whitewater rafting is nearby on the Main and South Fork sections of the Payette River. Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.
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. Make your reservations at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cold Springs Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cold Springs Campground have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cold Springs Campground?
The longest site here provides 12 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 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Cold Springs Campground?
The North Fork of the Payette River is a very popular location for expert kayaking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cold Springs Campground?
Emmett, Idaho. Near the boat and kayak launch of the Payette River.
Source: Getting there
What if Cold Springs Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Canyon Creek Campground (0.4 mi, first-come), Swinging Bridge (1.6 mi, partly first-come), and Big Eddy Campground (1.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby