Meadow Lake Campground
Meadow Lake Campground is located on the Leadore Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. This high alpine campground sits at an elevation of 9,160 feet in the Lemhi Mountain Range, 22 miles from Leadore, Idaho.
More like this: reservable in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 23 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
2 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 16 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 12 | Back-in | 23 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred |
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 | 28 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
Meadow Lake Campground consists of 17 campsites and a day use area with picnic tables, fire rings and barbecue pedestals. The campground offers 2 vault toilets, drinking water and day use parking. 4 double campsites are available for larger groups with each site including 2 picnic tables, 2 tent pads, a campfire ring, a prep table, and expanded parking for 2 vehicles. The campground also offer 13 single campsites each with a picnic table, tent pad, campfire ring, prep table, and parking for 1 vehicle.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Year Round |
| Forest | Salmon-Challis National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. |
| Fees | $10/Night for single unit; $20.00 per night for double sites |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Leadore drive 17 miles south on Highway 28 and turn right (west) on to Forest Service Road #002 at the old Gilmore Townsite. Follow the gravel road for 6 miles as it climbs 2,080 feet to the campground.
| Nearest town | Leadore, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.4348° N, 113.3176° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Try trail # 057 which takes you up to the steep ridge above the campground (the trail to Meadow Lake Peak is not maintained by the Forest Service).
Charges and cancellations
A $8.00 non-refundable on line reservation fee may be charged for some facilities.
Explore
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miMeadow Lake Wt2.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.1 miMeadow Lake Interpretive0.6 mi trail · hiking
- 0.2 miMeadow Lake1.4 mi trail · hiking
- 1.4 miSidehill Silver Moon3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.3 miUp Silver Moon0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.8 miLong Canyon0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Charcoal KilnsStructure · Leadore · 10.9 mi
Natural features
Meadow Lake Campground is located at the base of the 10,720-foot Meadow Lake Peak and along the banks of the 13.3-acre Meadow Lake. The high elevation campground is dotted with lodge pole pine and white bark pine trees and is frequented by deer and mountain goats.
Recreation
There's no lack of recreational opportunities around Meadow Lake Campground. The lake is stocked twice a year so the fish are always biting. Fish from the bank or carry your boat down to the lake and try from the water, as there is no boat ramp or boat dock at the lake. Hiking opportunities are available right out of the campground and include trail # 342 which provides a gentle loop around the backside of the campground. If a slower pace is appealing, pull up a chair and soak-up the incredible views from the campground.
Nearby
There are plenty of other attractions in the vicinity of Meadow Lake including the Gilmore Ghost Town and a number of other Forest Service recreation sites and trails.
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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 Meadow Lake Campground?
Sites at Meadow Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Meadow Lake Campground?
$10/Night for single unit; $20.00 per night for double sites
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Meadow Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Meadow Lake Campground have?
2 sites, including 2 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Meadow Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 28 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 Meadow Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Meadow Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Meadow Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Meadow Lake Campground?
There's no lack of recreational opportunities around Meadow Lake Campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Meadow Lake Campground?
Leadore, Idaho. There are plenty of other attractions in the vicinity of Meadow Lake including the Gilmore Ghost Town and a number of other Forest Service recreation sites and trails.
Source: Getting there
What if Meadow Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mill Creek Trailhead & Campground (5.2 mi, first-come), Timber Creek Campground (5.2 mi, first-come), and Big Creek Campground (13.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby