Hells Canyon & Area Campgrounds
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
With the exception of Pittsburg Campground, the Idaho side of the HCNRA's remaining three campgrounds are small, and facilities are generally rustic. Black Lake Campground is a four-hour drive from Riggins. Use of these high-elevation sites is relatively light, with the exception of holiday weekends. Almost all use is associated with wilderness users at the beginning or end of their visit to the Hells Canyon Wilderness on the Idaho side.
Upper Pittsburg Landing
Upper Pittsburg Landing is the trailhead for the Snake River National Recreation Trail (Trail #102, Idaho side, HCNRA). This trail is accessed by Forest Road #493, which leaves Hwy #95 just south of the town of White Bird, ID, near mile marker #222. After crossing the Salmon River bridge, turn left. This is a well-maintained gravel road with steep grades.
It is 17 miles from Hwy #95 to the Pittsburg Landing area. Facilities consist of six tent camping sites, parking, and a staging area for pack and saddle stock. There is a 28-unit campground, parking areas, and a boat ramp at Lower Pittsburg Landing, which is approximately 1½ miles away. This area is generally open year-round, although storms can cause some access problems over Pittsburg Saddle in the winter. Any delays or road closures due to snow are usually temporary. The road does have some steep grades and is not recommended for RVs.
Windy Saddle
Windy Saddle is the primary access to the high-country trails in the Seven Devils Mountains of the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Idaho side, HCNRA). To access this trailhead, take Forest Road #517, which leaves Hwy #95 just south of the town of Riggins, ID. It is 17 miles from Hwy #95 to Windy Saddle. Facilities consist of two small campgrounds and a pack and saddle stock staging facility. Seven Devils Campground has seven units, and Windy Saddle has four. There are also four campsites at the stock facility area. There is no potable water available in any of these areas. The area is usually open and free of snow from the first part of July through the first part of October. RVs or vehicles pulling camp trailers are not recommended.
Black Lake
Black Lake Campground is situated at the very southern end of the Seven Devils Mountains in the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Idaho side, HCNRA). This is the access point for the trails in that area. Black Lake has four units. There is no potable water source, but the lake is easily reached from the camping area. Water treatment is recommended.
To reach Black Lake, take Hwy #95 to Council, ID. From Council, take Forest Road #002 to Forest Road #105 (near the town of Bear, no services). From Forest Road #105, travel to Forest Road #112 (just past Bear Guard Station). Forest Road #112 will continue on to Black Lake. The last part of this drive is very rough, and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. The area is usually open and free of snow from the latter part of July through the first part of October.
Salmon River Campgrounds
Spring Bar
This is a developed campsite with 17 units, some of which are handicapped accessible. Each unit has a fire ring and a table. There are restrooms, garbage service, and drinking water available. There is a group size limit of eight people per site. This is 12 miles east on the Main Salmon Road. Fee: $10 per night and $3 per extra vehicle.
Van Creek
There are two sites with tables and fire rings. There is a restroom. This is 12½ miles east on the Main Salmon Road. Fee: None.
Allison Creek Campground
There are two sites with tables and fire rings. There is a restroom nearby. This is 11½ miles east on the Main Salmon Road. Fee: None.
Iron Phone Junction Campground
There are four sites with fire rings. There is a restroom. From Hwy 95, just north of Riggins, take the Forest Road for 15 miles. Fee: None.
South Fork Clearwater River Campgrounds
From Hwy 95, drive east on Main Street through Grangeville and continue on Hwy 13 down to the South Fork of the Clearwater River. Turn right toward Hwy 14 and Elk City. Ten miles down the road, you will find campgrounds with fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms along the river. These campgrounds are managed by the Nez Perce National Forest.
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
With the exception of Pittsburg Campground, the Idaho side of the HCNRA's remaining three campgrounds are small, and facilities are generally rustic. Black Lake Campground is a four-hour drive from Riggins. Use of these high-elevation sites is relatively light, with the exception of holiday weekends. Almost all use is associated with wilderness users at the beginning or end of their visit to the Hells Canyon Wilderness on the Idaho side.
Upper Pittsburg Landing
Upper Pittsburg Landing is the trailhead for the Snake River National Recreation Trail (Trail #102, Idaho side, HCNRA). This trail is accessed by Forest Road #493, which leaves Hwy #95 just south of the town of White Bird, ID, near mile marker #222. After crossing the Salmon River bridge, turn left. This is a well-maintained gravel road with steep grades.
It is 17 miles from Hwy #95 to the Pittsburg Landing area. Facilities consist of six tent camping sites, parking, and a staging area for pack and saddle stock. There is a 28-unit campground, parking areas, and a boat ramp at Lower Pittsburg Landing, which is approximately 1½ miles away. This area is generally open year-round, although storms can cause some access problems over Pittsburg Saddle in the winter. Any delays or road closures due to snow are usually temporary. The road does have some steep grades and is not recommended for RVs.
Windy Saddle
Windy Saddle is the primary access to the high-country trails in the Seven Devils Mountains of the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Idaho side, HCNRA). To access this trailhead, take Forest Road #517, which leaves Hwy #95 just south of the town of Riggins, ID. It is 17 miles from Hwy #95 to Windy Saddle. Facilities consist of two small campgrounds and a pack and saddle stock staging facility. Seven Devils Campground has seven units, and Windy Saddle has four. There are also four campsites at the stock facility area. There is no potable water available in any of these areas. The area is usually open and free of snow from the first part of July through the first part of October. RVs or vehicles pulling camp trailers are not recommended.
Black Lake
Black Lake Campground is situated at the very southern end of the Seven Devils Mountains in the Hells Canyon Wilderness (Idaho side, HCNRA). This is the access point for the trails in that area. Black Lake has four units. There is no potable water source, but the lake is easily reached from the camping area. Water treatment is recommended.
To reach Black Lake, take Hwy #95 to Council, ID. From Council, take Forest Road #002 to Forest Road #105 (near the town of Bear, no services). From Forest Road #105, travel to Forest Road #112 (just past Bear Guard Station). Forest Road #112 will continue on to Black Lake. The last part of this drive is very rough, and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. The area is usually open and free of snow from the latter part of July through the first part of October.
Salmon River Campgrounds
Spring Bar
This is a developed campsite with 17 units, some of which are handicapped accessible. Each unit has a fire ring and a table. There are restrooms, garbage service, and drinking water available. There is a group size limit of eight people per site. This is 12 miles east on the Main Salmon Road. Fee: $10 per night and $3 per extra vehicle.
Van Creek
There are two sites with tables and fire rings. There is a restroom. This is 12½ miles east on the Main Salmon Road. Fee: None.
Allison Creek Campground
There are two sites with tables and fire rings. There is a restroom nearby. This is 11½ miles east on the Main Salmon Road. Fee: None.
Iron Phone Junction Campground
There are four sites with fire rings. There is a restroom. From Hwy 95, just north of Riggins, take the Forest Road for 15 miles. Fee: None.
South Fork Clearwater River Campgrounds
From Hwy 95, drive east on Main Street through Grangeville and continue on Hwy 13 down to the South Fork of the Clearwater River. Turn right toward Hwy 14 and Elk City. Ten miles down the road, you will find campgrounds with fire rings, picnic tables, and restrooms along the river. These campgrounds are managed by the Nez Perce National Forest.