Sam's Creek Campground
Sam's Creek Campground, near the Gospel-Hump Wilderness on Crooked Creek and Sams Creek, is peacefully tucked in among a grove of pine trees with the soothing sounds of the river running in the background. Three campsites, tables and fire grates allow for relaxed camping. There is limited parking and limited maneuvering for camp trailers.
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 | No stock allowed. Garbage services not available. Pack It In, Pack It Out. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 45.5423° N, 115.4923° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Blue Horse Rrrd
19 mi from the campground · 20 acres
- PrescribedRx Doc Denny - Srrd
29 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Sad/Horse/Island Piles - Mcrd
34 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx D4 Wilderness Corridor Hand Piles
39 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 ↗ | 40.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miLemhi ↗8.2 mi trail
- 1.5 miOrogrande - Dixie ↗16.3 mi trail
- 1.5 miBurpee ↗10.7 mi trail
- 1.6 miChurchill ↗10.5 mi trail
- 1.6 miBlowout Mountain2.6 mi trail
- 1.7 miColumbia Ridge ↗17.1 mi trail
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
Payette National Forest begins about 0.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.3 miPayette National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,407,306 acres
- 0.9 miNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,072,795 acres
- 3.6 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
- Jim Moore PlaceHistoric district · Dixie · 8.4 mi
- Campbell's FerryHistoric district · Riggins · 8.6 mi
- Polly Bemis HouseBuilding · Riggins · 11.4 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 Sam's Creek Campground?
No. Sam's Creek 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 Sam's Creek Campground?
Nothing. Sam's Creek Campground is listed as free. No Fee.
Source: Forest Service
Is Sam's Creek 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 Sam's Creek Campground?
Sam's Creek Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Sam's Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Dixie Meadow Campground (2 mi, first-come), Halfway House Campground (2.6 mi, first-come), and Orogrande Summit Campground (8.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby