Featured amenities
Picnic Table
Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates6 total sites
RV Sites
4 sites
Tent Sites
2 sites
About Bad Bear Campground
Number of accommodations: 6
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
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Rates, Sites & Availability
6 Sites Available
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Site Details
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6 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (27)
What Guests Are Saying
Bad Bear Campground offers a peaceful and clean environment, with well-maintained restrooms and beautiful natural surroundings, including a soothing creek and nearby hiking trails. While some sites experienced issues with trash left by previous campers and challenges with water access, many visitors enjoyed spacious sites and the overall camping experience. However, improvements to the reservation system and clearer signage for reserved sites are needed to enhance guest satisfaction.
What Guests Are Saying
Bad Bear Campground offers a peaceful and clean environment, with well-maintained restrooms and beautiful natural surroundings, including a soothing creek and nearby hiking trails. While some sites experienced issues with trash left by previous campers and challenges with water access, many visitors enjoyed spacious sites and the overall camping experience. However, improvements to the reservation system and clearer signage for reserved sites are needed to enhance guest satisfaction.
Review Summary
Angela S
VerifiedAugust 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND
Great experience, quiet little loop except the traffic on Site 1, evenings were quiet though, not too much traffic and there is a great little book for a tent that provides privacy
Jane P
VerifiedAugust 30, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND
Nice campground, clean. Our site, #1 was a little too close to the road but we enjoyed our stay.
Jamie H
VerifiedAugust 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND
Clean and quiet
Brian H
VerifiedJuly 20, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND
Always very clean campsites and quiet.
Alicia T
VerifiedJuly 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND
We ended up paying for another camp site (4) because site 1 was right off the highway and didn’t feel comfortable with my small child right by the highway. It was really pretty and I’m glade there was the other site that we were able to use. Site 1 and 6 are right off the highway all the other sites were decent.
MATTHEW A
VerifiedMay 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND
It is very beautiful and the small creek that runs along the side of the campground was perfect for kids to dip there toes in. Only thing that was not great was campsite #6 be aware that it is not tent friendly lots of bushes and a few feet from the road. Would be better suited for a tent trailer or RV spot.
BRIAN P
VerifiedJanuary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND
Bad Bear was a great first time camping experience for my 5 and 3 year old grandson and granddaughter when they came to visit grandpa in Meridian from the UK this past summer. We had a campsite away from the road near Mores creek which added to their enjoyment. There was enough room for their family tent with mom and dad as well as grandpa’s backpacking quarter done tent. The site was clean and provided a nice picnic table and campfires ring.
Location Bad Bear Campground
Address:
P.O. Box 129
Idaho City, ID, 83631
United States
From the Idaho City Ranger Station, drive north on Highway 21 for almost 10 miles, then turn left at the sign for Bad Bear Campground. Bad Bear Campground is located at milepost 48, just beyond Ten Mile Campground.
Bad Bear Campground is accessible via Highway 21, which is approximately 10 miles from the Idaho City Ranger Station.
Elevation: 1615 feet
10 mi drive to downtown Idaho City (about 17 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- Please click here for further information about the facility and recreation opportunities in the area.
- Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
- Water from hand pump is tested monthly for contaminants and will be abruptly shut off if not currently potable. Please plan accordingly with your own water supply in case of a shut off during your stay.
- Reservations cancelled last minute due to weather or smoke conditions will not be refunded unless campground is closed to the public
- No trash service: Pack-in-Pack-out
- Campfires are allowed in fire rings ONLY, unless fire restrictions are in place. Contact Idaho City Ranger District for updates regarding fire restrictions.
- Sites 1, 5 and 6 are adjacent and within close proximity to Highway 21.
- Sites 2, 3, 4, and 5 have direct access to creek.
- Closest cell service is in Idaho City (approx. 10 miles) or Mores Creek Summit (approx. 5 miles).
- Sites 4 and 5 are tent only- NO TRAILER ACCESS
- For questions regarding the campground, please contact the Idaho City Ranger District at 208-392-3700.
- For questions regarding reservations and refunds, please contact Recreation.gov customer service.
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Last updated: September 6, 2026
