Emigration Campground
Caribou-Targhee National Forest — riverside, fishing, hiking
Location: MONTPELIER, ID, ID
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$100 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (68 reviews)
Season: May through October
Emigration Campground is located in 17 miles west of Montpelier, Idaho, just off State Highway 36 in Emigration Canyon. Visitors enjoy exploring the nearby Highline Trail and fishing on local streams.The Highline National Recreation Trail is adjacent to the campground and is considered the premier trail of the Montpelier District. It is open to hikers, bikers, horseback riders, motorcyclists and off-road vehicle riders.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/emigration-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Emigration Campground offers clean, well-maintained facilities with excellent privacy and access to the premier 55-mile Highline National Recreation Trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Google reviewers consistently praise the maintained bathrooms, quiet atmosphere, and nearby creek.
Wildlife alert: Mule Deer, Uinta Ground Squirrel, Western Tanager, American Robin, and Red-naped Sapsucker have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Emigration Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground. Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups. Site 003 has been noted by campers as particularly private. Creek runs through campground for fishing and creek access.
Skip Emigration Campground if: You need RV hookups.. You prefer year-round camping (seasonal May-October only).. You want to visit outside the May-October operating season..
Best time to visit Emigration Campground: June-September — Campground operates May through October; reviewers mention returning later in season to hit trails, suggesting peak conditions mid-summer through early fall..
Nearby campgrounds: Eight Mile Guard Station (MONTPELIER, ID), Paris Springs Campground (DUCK CREEK , ID), Willow Flat Campground (DUCK CREEK, ID), Montpelier Canyon Campground (MONTPELIER, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Emigration Campground
Cell signal at Emigration Campground (MONTPELIER, ID): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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.
Emigration Campground is located in 17 miles west of Montpelier, Idaho, just off State Highway 36 in Emigration Canyon. Visitors enjoy exploring the nearby Highline Trail and fishing on local streams.The Highline National Recreation Trail is adjacent to the campground and is considered the premier trail of the Montpelier District. It is open to hikers, bikers, horseback riders, motorcyclists and off-road vehicle riders.
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 popular federal campground.
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups.
Site 003 has been noted by campers as particularly private.
Creek runs through campground for fishing and creek access.
Campground operates May through October; reviewers mention returning later in season to hit trails, suggesting peak conditions mid-summer through early fall.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Montpelier, drive west on U.S. Highway 89 to Ovid, Idaho. At the junction of U.S. 89 and State Highway 36, take the right fork of the "Y" onto State Highway 36 and travel approximately 12 miles northwest to the campground. A left hand turn is required to enter the 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 — Caribou-Targhee National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Caribou-Targhee 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 Emigration Campground cost per night?+
What season is Emigration Campground open?+
Does Emigration Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Emigration Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Emigration Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Emigration Campground?+
What season is Emigration Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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