OutReserve

Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site

Overview of campground with Lost River Range in background.
Ice fishing huts on the reservoir.
Campsite on the reservoir.
Campsite on the reservoir.

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly

About Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site

The Joseph T. Fallini Campground, situated on the banks of the Mackay Reservoir, is the only recreational site in Challis Field Office that offers full RV hookups and features a diversity of other facilities. This scenic area has a gorgeous view of the Lost River Range and offers recreational opportunities such as boating in the summer and ice fishing in late winter.  Mackay Reservoir offers a boat ramp providing access to the reservoir for jet skiing, water skiing and sailing . Other boat launches along the reservoir (and one downstream of the dam) are also available.

Nearby Activities & Attractions

Boating

Jet Skiing

Water Skiing

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 1 to Sep 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Reviews (26)

What Guests Are Saying

Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site offers stunning views and clean facilities, making it an excellent value for campers. The campground is well-maintained, with friendly camp hosts and nearby hiking and fishing options. While there are minor inconveniences like a dump station fee and noise from neighbors, most visitors report a pleasant and peaceful stay.

Review Summary

4.5
26 reviews
5
61.5%
16
4
23.1%
6
3
15.4%
4
2
0.0%
0
1
0.0%
0

Brenda J

September 8, 2025

5

What a bargain for senior citizens full time Rving. James Shoemaker was the best host we have ever encountered, he was friendly, on top of anything that needed to be done, and very knowledgeable. The small town of Mackay has helpful, friendly folks as well. There is a great museum in town. Things to do, fish, tour the mines, see a waterfall from a hole in the mountain and see a fault line from an earthquake.

Brenda J

September 8, 2025

5

What a bargain for senior citizens full time Rving. James Shoemaker was the best host we have ever encountered, he was friendly, on top of anything that needed to be done, and very knowledgeable. The small town of Mackay has helpful, friendly folks as well. There is a great museum in town. Things to do, fish, tour the mines, see a waterfall from a hole in the mountain and see a fault line from an earthquake.

Tomislav H

August 23, 2024

5

Very pleasant stay, amazing views, very clean campsite, very quite. One of the best places on our 2024 list.
Thank you.

Tomislav H

August 23, 2024

5

Very pleasant stay, amazing views, very clean campsite, very quite. One of the best places on our 2024 list.
Thank you.

Michelle M

August 22, 2024

5

The spots are spacious. We were in RV spot #11 and had reservoir views on one side and mountain views on the other. Our stay was peaceful. We caught a bit of the Aurora Borealis one night. The park and restrooms are well kept and clean. We enjoyed different walks around the reservoir each day. Mackay is nearby for groceries and gas. This was a really nice and peaceful week.

No obstructions at all for our Starlink.

Michelle M

August 22, 2024

5

The spots are spacious. We were in RV spot #11 and had reservoir views on one side and mountain views on the other. Our stay was peaceful. We caught a bit of the Aurora Borealis one night. The park and restrooms are well kept and clean. We enjoyed different walks around the reservoir each day. Mackay is nearby for groceries and gas. This was a really nice and peaceful week.

No obstructions at all for our Starlink.

Carol V

July 19, 2024

5

We were pleasantly surprised and lucky to get a great campsite for the week after July 4th, since this is a first come first served campground (no reservations)
The area was clean and tidy with the grassy areas mowed and weed control kept up.
We had a very nice double spot for two trucks and two 26+ trailers. There was plenty of room in the boat parking for our fishing boat. The restrooms were immaculate and did not smell and were kept stocked with tissue and hand sanitizer.
Our site would have been even better if there had been a fixed shelter over one or both of the picnic tables and no smoking signs on the restrooms.
Overall a great experience.

Carol V

July 19, 2024

5

We were pleasantly surprised and lucky to get a great campsite for the week after July 4th, since this is a first come first served campground (no reservations)
The area was clean and tidy with the grassy areas mowed and weed control kept up.
We had a very nice double spot for two trucks and two 26+ trailers. There was plenty of room in the boat parking for our fishing boat. The restrooms were immaculate and did not smell and were kept stocked with tissue and hand sanitizer.
Our site would have been even better if there had been a fixed shelter over one or both of the picnic tables and no smoking signs on the restrooms.
Overall a great experience.

William P

October 23, 2023

4

We have stayed at this campground before and this most recent stay was very enjoyable. Not very busy this time of the year so solitude was not a problem. The price paid was very reasonable, especially using our senior pass. One thing we wish maybe would have been nice would to have still had the water on. Daytime temps were still upper 60’s and mornings were low 40’s.

William P

October 23, 2023

4

We have stayed at this campground before and this most recent stay was very enjoyable. Not very busy this time of the year so solitude was not a problem. The price paid was very reasonable, especially using our senior pass. One thing we wish maybe would have been nice would to have still had the water on. Daytime temps were still upper 60’s and mornings were low 40’s.

Location Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site

Address:
721 E Main Ave
Challis, ID, 83226
United States

Highway access

Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site is accessible via Highway 93, which runs directly north from Mackay and south toward Challis. The site is located approximately 6 miles north of Mackay on the west side of Highway 93.

Latitude & Longitude: 43.9614 / -113.68

Elevation: 1860 feet

Policies & Rules

General

  • Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site is dedicated to Jospeh T. Fallini who grew up in Mackay, ID and served as the BLM Idaho State Director from 1959-1970. During his time with BLM Idaho, Joseph Fallini was a strong advocate for outdoor recreation on public lands. 

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 4, 2026

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Managed by Bureau of Land Management