Big Hole
Big Hole is a day use site on the South Fork of the Boise River located 6 miles west (down river) from the Big Smoky Gaurd Station area on Road No.227. Popular for it's swimming hole, the area provides access to fishing, parking and a restroom.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · free in Idaho · tent only in Idaho · accessible sites in Idaho
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | There is no fee for the usage of this area. |
| Accessibility | Big Hole is accessible by passenger vehicles, off-highway vehicles and bicycles via Forest Service road #227. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Sawtooth National Forest |
| Booking | This is a non-reservation and non-camping area. |
| Fees | There is no fee for the usage of this area. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 43.5907° N, 114.9549° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireEast Fork
5 mi from the campground · 266 acres · 5% contained
- PrescribedParadise Rx
9 mi from the campground · 400 acres
- PrescribedRx Mores South
42 mi from the campground · 245 acres
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
43 mi from the campground · 63 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
The Big Hole to Deua River Campground - Part 1 - 4x4 and camping
Worth a stop
- 14.7 miPine Gulch Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 1.7 miBoardman Creek ↗8.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.8 miConant Creek2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.7 miDeadwood Creek4.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.8 miLittle Skeleton ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.8 miCouch Summit ↗16.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.2 miJones Gulch Overlook0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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 Sawtooth National Forest.
- inSawtooth National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,190,139 acres
- 10 miBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 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
- John Skillern HouseBuilding · Fairfield · 5 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 Big Hole?
No. Big Hole is first-come, first-served. This is a non-reservation and non-camping area. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Big Hole?
Nothing. Big Hole is listed as free. There is no fee for the usage of this area.
Source: Forest Service
Is Big Hole open right now?
Open as of Oct 26, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Big Hole?
Big Hole is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
Are there accessible sites at Big Hole?
Big Hole is accessible by passenger vehicles, off-highway vehicles and bicycles via Forest Service road #227.
Source: Forest Service
What if Big Hole is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bowns Campground (3.8 mi, first-come), Canyon Transfer Camp (5.4 mi, first-come), and Baumgartner Campground (6.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby