Meadow Lake Campground
Salmon-Challis National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Leadore, ID, ID
Price: From $15 per night
Price range: $15–$30 per night
Rating: 2.6 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.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.There are p
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, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/meadow-lake-campground to be notified when sites open up.
High alpine campground at 9,160 feet in the Lemhi Mountains with a stocked lake offering excellent fishing and phenomenal views. Google reviewers consistently praise the scenic beauty, good fishing, and quality hiking opportunities.
Wildlife alert: American Pika, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, American Red Squirrel, Uinta Ground Squirrel, Pronghorn, Red-tailed Hawk, Clark's Nutcracker, and Common Raven documented in the area.
Insider tips for Meadow Lake Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 2 sites and high demand. The campground sits 22 miles from Leadore; access requires driving 6 miles on a steep, narrow gravel road that climbs 2,080 feet. Lake is stocked twice yearly; fish from the bank or bring a non-motorized boat (no boat ramp available). RVs must be self-contained as there are no hookups.
Skip Meadow Lake Campground if: You need RV hookups — only suitable for self-contained RVs.. You require a paved or easy-access road — access involves a steep, narrow gravel forest service road.. You visit outside July-September — seasonal operations with limited accessibility..
Best time to visit Meadow Lake Campground: July-September — Official season runs May through October, but Google reviewers report the campground opens around early July and closes the first weekend of September due to high elevation and weather conditions..
Nearby campgrounds: Mcfarland Campground (Salmon, ID), Loristica Group Campground (MACKAY, ID), Tarpons Roost Cabin (Salmon, ID), Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site (Challis, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Meadow Lake Campground
Cell signal at Meadow Lake Campground (Leadore, 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.
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.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.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.
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 2 sites and high demand.
The campground sits 22 miles from Leadore; access requires driving 6 miles on a steep, narrow gravel road that climbs 2,080 feet.
Lake is stocked twice yearly; fish from the bank or bring a non-motorized boat (no boat ramp available).
RVs must be self-contained as there are no hookups.
Official season runs May through October, but Google reviewers report the campground opens around early July and closes the first weekend of September due to high elevation and weather conditions.
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 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.
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 — Salmon-Challis National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Salmon-Challis National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Meadow Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Meadow Lake Campground open?+
Does Meadow Lake Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Meadow Lake Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Meadow Lake Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Meadow Lake Campground?+
What season is Meadow Lake Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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