Big Springs - Caribou
Caribou-Targhee National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: POCATELLO, ID, ID
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$80 per night
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (41 reviews)
Season: May through October
Big Springs Campground is nestled along the banks of Pebble Creek at an elevation of 6,500 feet, just 16 miles from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring local trails.Pebble Creek offers cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Big Springs Nature Trail begins in the site, offering an easy path along the creek.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Camp Host, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-springs-caribou to be notified when sites open up.
Big Springs sits at 6,500 feet along Pebble Creek with direct access to cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing plus the easy Big Springs Nature Trail. The multi-use Boundary Trail also offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding options all from the same campground.
Wildlife alert: Wilson's Snipe observed in the area; white Colorado Columbine and Jacob's ladder wildflowers present.
Insider tips for Big Springs - Caribou: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 16 total sites and high demand Bring a self-contained RV or prepare for tent camping; no hookups available Access via Blaser Highway/Old Highway 30 north from Lava Hot Springs (9 miles away), turning onto gravel Forest Road 036 across railroad tracks
Skip Big Springs - Caribou if: You need RV hookups—none are available at most sites. You require year-round camping—seasonal operations May through October only.
Best time to visit Big Springs - Caribou: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only per RIDB data.
Nearby campgrounds: Pebble Guard Station (POCATELLO, ID), Scout Mountain Campground (POCATELLO, ID), Mink Creek Group Site Campground (POCATELLO, ID), Blackfoot Reservoir Campground (Soda Springs, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Springs - Caribou
Cell signal at Big Springs - Caribou (POCATELLO, 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.
Big Springs Campground is nestled along the banks of Pebble Creek at an elevation of 6,500 feet, just 16 miles from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Visitors enjoy fishing and exploring local trails.Pebble Creek offers cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Big Springs Nature Trail begins in the site, offering an easy path along the creek.
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 16 total sites and high demand
Bring a self-contained RV or prepare for tent camping; no hookups available
Access via Blaser Highway/Old Highway 30 north from Lava Hot Springs (9 miles away), turning onto gravel Forest Road 036 across railroad tracks
Campground operates seasonally during these months only per RIDB data
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 →
Just east of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, look for "Pebble Area" sign and turn left onto Blaser Highway/Old Highway 30. Go north on the paved highway 9 miles to Pebble Creek Road, known locally as Mike's Place or Whiskey Mike's. Turn left across railroad tracks on gravel Forest Road 036. Travel about 7 miles to the campground. Pebble Creek Road is a narrow single-lane dirt road with limited sight distance and not suitable for the very large RVs (the tour bus size RVs that require overhead clearance
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 — Caribou-Targhee National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Caribou-Targhee National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Springs - Caribou cost per night?+
What season is Big Springs - Caribou open?+
Does Big Springs - Caribou have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Big Springs - Caribou?+
How do I make reservations at Big Springs - Caribou?+
What is the cell service like at Big Springs - Caribou?+
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●Data sources on this page
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