Bad Bear Campground
Boise National Forest — fishing
Location: Idaho City, ID, ID
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$40 per night
Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (23 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bad Bear Campground is located 48 miles northeast of Boise, Idaho, in the scenic Boise National Forest on the Idaho City Ranger District, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant. Historic Idaho City is just 11 miles south.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bad-bear-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Bad Bear Campground offers scenic high-elevation camping at 5,100 feet in Boise National Forest with direct access to Mores Creek for whitewater and rainbow trout fishing, plus proximity to historic Idaho City just 11 miles away.
Wildlife alert: Gray wolves have been documented within 8km of this location via iNaturalist research-grade observations—be aware of wildlife safety protocols and proper food storage.
Insider tips for Bad Bear Campground: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 6 sites total and high demand Bring a self-contained RV or tent; no hookups available, so plan water and waste accordingly Drive Highway 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway) to explore scenic creek views beyond the campground
Skip Bad Bear Campground if: You need RV hookups—no hookups at most sites. You're planning to visit outside May-October—seasonal operations only.
Best time to visit Bad Bear Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only; summer wildflowers abundant per RIDB description.
Nearby campgrounds: Edna Creek Campground (Idaho City, ID), Ten Mile Campground (Idaho City, ID), Beaver Creek Cabin (Id) (IDAHO CITY, ID), Black Rock (IDAHO CITY, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bad Bear Campground
Cell signal at Bad Bear Campground (Idaho City, ID): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bad Bear Campground is located 48 miles northeast of Boise, Idaho, in the scenic Boise National Forest on the Idaho City Ranger District, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant. Historic Idaho City is just 11 miles south.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 6 sites total and high demand
Bring a self-contained RV or tent; no hookups available, so plan water and waste accordingly
Drive Highway 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway) to explore scenic creek views beyond the campground
Campground operates seasonally May through October only; summer wildflowers abundant per RIDB description
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From the Idaho City Ranger Station, drive north on Highway 21 for almost 10 miles, then turn left at the sign for Bad Bear Campground. Bad Bear Campground is located at milepost 48, just beyond Ten Mile Campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Boise National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Boise National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bad Bear Campground cost per night?+
What season is Bad Bear Campground open?+
Does Bad Bear Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bad Bear Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Bad Bear Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Bad Bear Campground?+
What season is Bad Bear Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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