Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground sign.
Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground sign
Narrow path leading to creek
Stairs leading to small trail in campground
Trail up hill to Site 4

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table

About Bad Bear Campground

Bad Bear Campground is located 48 mi northeast of Boise, Idaho, in the scenic Boise National Forest on the Idaho City Ranger District, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 5.1 ft. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant. Historic Idaho City is just 11 mi south. Mores Creek runs adjacent to the site, offering whitefish and rainbow trout fishing. Highway 21, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, snakes along Mores Creek to Mores Creek Summit, Gold Fork, and Banner Ridge with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forest.

Available sites

6 total sites

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 closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

6 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 36 × 22 ft · Paved
🚐 002, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 40 × 15 ft · Paved
🚐 003, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 33 × 15 ft · Paved
⛺ 004, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 005, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 006, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 13 ft · Paved

Reviews

28 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.0

Overall rating

Based on 28 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 50.0% (14)
4 stars 25.0% (7)
3 stars 7.1% (2)
2 stars 14.3% (4)
1 star 3.6% (1)

Showing 28 reviews

Teresa S

Verified

June 8, 2025 Stayed at: 004, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

Nice small campground; spot 4 is nicely situated far enough away from the road. There was a water spigot, but I wasn't able to get any water from it, so be sure to bring enough water

Helpful

maggi B

Verified

June 18, 2025 Stayed at: 004, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

It was quiet and the water sounds were nice, but if spot 4 was supposed to be water access either bring a jug of water or a chainsaw because there was no chance if water access.

Helpful

BRIAN P

Verified

August 7, 2025 Stayed at: 003, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

I live inMeridian and this was the third time I’ve take my visiting grandkids to Bad Bear campground. It’s the second time at site 3, ( I prefer site2 but it was Already reserved for our dates). The site 3 is huge( double site) and could fit even more than 2 tents.We had a wonderful time making campfires and wading in the creek. The only negative was that for the first time there were bees constantly around, especially when we were eating. We had to put up a bee trap which did help. We also looked at 10 mi campground and site 2 there was really nice but much smaller ( only 1 tent would fit).

Helpful

Heather R

Verified

June 6, 2026 Stayed at: 003, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

The campground itself is great..the reservation system is not.. there should be at my reserved site…a sign with dates saying reserved. It’s not at any site and it’s at the info board in the beginning. I paid about 50$ for the last reservable site and it was a double but wanted to make sure I had a spot on a Friday night rolling in around 8 pm.. I got there and someone was set up camp in my site. I had to kick them out. There’s no camp host so it was up to me. She said they thought it was first come first serve since there was no sign saying reserved. I was not happy at all ..this is my worst fear and has never happened till this campground when they don’t take the time to put some sort of taken sign at the site itself. You need to do this , it could have gone very badly for me if they got upset.

Helpful

Benjamin H

Verified

June 28, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

I had a really fun time at Bad Bear campgrounds. Unfortunately, the previous attendees of the lot I reserved left a fair amount of trash. I did my best to clean up but I’m sure I missed a few things. There is a stream along the back of site #2, with crystal clear cold water. The sounds of the small creek were relaxing to fall asleep to, and waking up to a cacophony of bird calls (Ravens, Swainson’s Thrush, Pine Siskin) was a pleasure. Sunset Mountain is nearby, offering a challenging but rewarding hike.

Helpful

Reed C

Verified

July 19, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

Beautifully peaceful spot. Only drawback is no water or power.

Helpful

Jesse K

Verified

July 30, 2026 Stayed at: 002, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

Site 2 was clean and away from the road. We were able to setup 2 tents at this site. The restrooms were close to all camp sites and had toilet paper. Red water pump was not operational during our 3 day stay in July. Short hike up camp site had trials, fire wood and game trail camera.

Helpful

Nikki P

Verified

September 10, 2026 Stayed at: 005, Loop: BAD BEAR CAMPGROUND

This is a well kept small camp site with good tree/shade coverage. Some of the camp sites are close to the road but didn’t seem to affect our time. We stayed in site 5 and it fit both our texts with no problem.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Bad Bear Campground

P.O. Box 129, Idaho City, ID 83631 United States

Elevation: 1,615 ft

Getting There

From the Idaho City Ranger Station, drive north on Highway 21 for almost 10 mi, then turn left at the sign for Bad Bear Campground. Bad Bear Campground is located at milepost 48, just beyond Ten Mile Campground.

Nearest town

Idaho City, ID - 10 mi

About 17 min to downtown

Highway access

Bad Bear Campground is accessible via Highway 21, which is approximately 10 miles from the Idaho City Ranger Station.

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Explore Idaho City, ID

Population: 581

Nearby city: Meridian, ID

Approx. 40 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 3,904 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service