Mackay Bar Campground
Resting near the north bank of the mighty Salmon River, Mackay Bar campground offers three campsites, tables and fire grates. Parking is limited. Access to this campground is via a very rough, winding road with many tight switchbacks. Low-range, 4-wheel drive is recommended, with no trailers. Note: Be considerate of adjacent private ownership. Be Aware of rattlesnakes and poison ivy!
More like this: first-come in Idaho · free in Idaho · tent only in Idaho
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | No Fee. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | The campground is open year-round, but might not be accessible because of snow |
| Forest | Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests |
| Fees | No Fee. |
| Rules | Garbage services not available. Pack It In, Pack It Out. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 45.3923° N, 115.4945° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Blue Horse Rrrd
29 mi from the campground · 20 acres
- PrescribedRx Doc Denny - Srrd
36 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMeadow Marsh Rx
42 mi from the campground · 70 acres
- PrescribedRx D4 Wilderness Corridor Hand Piles
43 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Rae Bros. Sporting Goods ↗ | 47.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Will Ferrell shoots pool in small-town Idaho bar
Trails nearby
- 0.5 miS Fork Salmon0.07 mi trail
- 0.7 miOld Dixie Wagon Road ↗29.4 mi trail
- 1.4 miS/F Salmon River ↗23.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.3 miPainter4 mi trail
- 2.3 miSalmon River East ↗25.9 mi trail
- 3 miHorse Heaven ↗11 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, which overlaps Payette National Forest.
- inFrank Church-River of No Return Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 2,358,886 acres
- inPayette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,407,306 acres
- 8.4 miGospel-Hump Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 205,395 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Polly Bemis HouseBuilding · Riggins · 9 mi
- Jim Moore PlaceHistoric district · Dixie · 10 mi
- Campbell's FerryHistoric district · Riggins · 10.1 mi
Guidebooks for Idaho
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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 Mackay Bar Campground?
No. Mackay Bar Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Mackay Bar Campground?
Nothing. Mackay Bar Campground is listed as free. No Fee.
Source: Forest Service
Is Mackay Bar Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 26, 2026. Season The campground is open year-round, but might not be accessible because of snow.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Mackay Bar Campground?
Mackay Bar Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Mackay Bar Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Halfway House Campground (8.4 mi, first-come), Dixie Meadow Campground (8.8 mi, first-come), and Sam's Creek Campground (10.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby