About Meadow Lake Campground
Number of accommodations: 2
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Reviews (18)
What Guests Are Saying
Meadow Lake Campground offers a lovely natural setting, although it can get busy and lacks cell service. Some guests noted challenges with poorly marked reserved spots and the absence of potable water. Additionally, the road to the campground may be difficult to navigate.
What Guests Are Saying
Meadow Lake Campground offers a lovely natural setting, although it can get busy and lacks cell service. Some guests noted challenges with poorly marked reserved spots and the absence of potable water. Additionally, the road to the campground may be difficult to navigate.
Review Summary
Derek M
VerifiedAugust 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
With no camp host around the place was very chaotic. People say camping in overnight spot motorcycle and atv running around the loop. Broke water faucet nobody seem to care of it ran for two days. Bathroom were very clean and spots well maintained.
Derek M
VerifiedAugust 17, 2020 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
With no camp host around the place was very chaotic. People say camping in overnight spot motorcycle and atv running around the loop. Broke water faucet nobody seem to care of it ran for two days. Bathroom were very clean and spots well maintained.
Paul H
VerifiedAugust 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
Our reserved Site 12 had a pickup parked in it at 2:00 PM when we arrived to check in. Went looking for campground host and learned no Host was assigned for Meadow Lake CG this season (like 2019 I heard). A pickup pulling a way too long travel trailer took over the abandoned Host site to take advantage of readily available potable water and dump connection that weren't locked. It's a free-for-all when no Host is present having enforcement authority.
CG flooded with day use people, so much so that on our Sunday arrival the person parking their pickup in our Site 12 spot said he did it because there was no other place for him to park and then fish for a while. They were nice, apologized, left at 2:30 PM, then we finally secured our reserved Site 12. I've read on Recreation.gov of others with reservations that had to leave as squatters wouldn't vacate their reserved sites.
Saw campers with license plates from CA, CO, OH, (SC?), NM, NV, TX. Heard the faint sound of a generator running at 4:00 AM and learned it was running all night. What about quiet hours from 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM? Well, there were so many campers wanting to stay at Meadow Lake CG, with no available sites, that dozens of them boondocked right off the main access road where it enters the CG. Ah, no quiet hours apply for those not staying officially inside the CG boundary.
So much day use traffic on the narrow and steep one lane road that 8 different times we had to perform evasive maneuvering to allow cars and pickups pulling campers much too long for this road to barely squeeze by our slide-in pickup camper rig. Bathrooms unkempt most of the time, no TP half the time.
Meadow Lake no more a "local's secret" that used to be moderately used by the day use people on weekends and sparsely used during the week. We will not be coming back as even the USFS management doesn't value this CG enough to provide a Host with rules enforcement authority to keep things under control and in good condition.
Paul H
VerifiedAugust 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
Our reserved Site 12 had a pickup parked in it at 2:00 PM when we arrived to check in. Went looking for campground host and learned no Host was assigned for Meadow Lake CG this season (like 2019 I heard). A pickup pulling a way too long travel trailer took over the abandoned Host site to take advantage of readily available potable water and dump connection that weren't locked. It's a free-for-all when no Host is present having enforcement authority.
CG flooded with day use people, so much so that on our Sunday arrival the person parking their pickup in our Site 12 spot said he did it because there was no other place for him to park and then fish for a while. They were nice, apologized, left at 2:30 PM, then we finally secured our reserved Site 12. I've read on Recreation.gov of others with reservations that had to leave as squatters wouldn't vacate their reserved sites.
Saw campers with license plates from CA, CO, OH, (SC?), NM, NV, TX. Heard the faint sound of a generator running at 4:00 AM and learned it was running all night. What about quiet hours from 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM? Well, there were so many campers wanting to stay at Meadow Lake CG, with no available sites, that dozens of them boondocked right off the main access road where it enters the CG. Ah, no quiet hours apply for those not staying officially inside the CG boundary.
So much day use traffic on the narrow and steep one lane road that 8 different times we had to perform evasive maneuvering to allow cars and pickups pulling campers much too long for this road to barely squeeze by our slide-in pickup camper rig. Bathrooms unkempt most of the time, no TP half the time.
Meadow Lake no more a "local's secret" that used to be moderately used by the day use people on weekends and sparsely used during the week. We will not be coming back as even the USFS management doesn't value this CG enough to provide a Host with rules enforcement authority to keep things under control and in good condition.
Wesley B
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
We reserved our favorite spot 6 months in advance. When we showed up, there was no camp host, therefore our spot did not get reserved ahead of time. As a result, there was already someone else parked in our campsite, and when we informed them of our reservation, they refused to move. My kids were excited to camp next to the lake in a larger double camp site. We ended up staying in the only available single spot available further away. Our camp trailer didn’t fit, and it caused issues with other campers. We enjoyed the lake and the trip was a great experience for my children, but I was very disappointed in the lack of concern from the forest service and camp site facilities. Do better!
Wesley B
VerifiedFebruary 10, 2020 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
We reserved our favorite spot 6 months in advance. When we showed up, there was no camp host, therefore our spot did not get reserved ahead of time. As a result, there was already someone else parked in our campsite, and when we informed them of our reservation, they refused to move. My kids were excited to camp next to the lake in a larger double camp site. We ended up staying in the only available single spot available further away. Our camp trailer didn’t fit, and it caused issues with other campers. We enjoyed the lake and the trip was a great experience for my children, but I was very disappointed in the lack of concern from the forest service and camp site facilities. Do better!
Adam Pax S
VerifiedDecember 31, 2019 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
We had reserved a spot. When we arrived we found the campground closed, obviously not ready due to the amount of snow. We were never informed that the campground was still closed. I wouldn’t be so upset about this except we never received a refund, despite numerous phone calls.
Adam Pax S
VerifiedDecember 31, 2019 • Stayed at: 03, Loop: MEADOW LAKE CAMPGROUND
We had reserved a spot. When we arrived we found the campground closed, obviously not ready due to the amount of snow. We were never informed that the campground was still closed. I wouldn’t be so upset about this except we never received a refund, despite numerous phone calls.
Location Meadow Lake Campground
Address:
Po Box 180 Ranger Street
Leadore, ID, 83464
United States
From Leadore drive 17 miles south on Highway 28 and turn right (west) on to Forest Service Road #002 at the old Gilmore Townsite. Follow the gravel road for 6 miles as it climbs 2,080 feet to the campground.
Meadow Lake Campground is accessible via Highway 28, approximately 17 miles north of the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 44.4348 / -113.318
Elevation: 2793 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Reservations can be made from July 1st to Labor Day; outside this period, sites are first-come, first-served with onsite payment required.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Vehicles & parking
- Day use parking is not allowed in campsites.
Site capacity
- The campground has 15 first-come, first-served sites and 2 sites for advanced reservations.
Accessibility
- The road to the campground is not maintained in winter; contact Leadore Ranger Station for access information.
Utilities
- This campground does not offer electric, water, or sewer hookups.
- Campground water is designated for drinking and cooking only; conservation is encouraged.
Pets
- Livestock is not allowed in the campground.
Safety & rules
- Garbage bags are required for this 'pack it in, pack it out' facility, including fish guts.
- The campground is at an elevation of 9,160 feet.
General
- Click here for more information on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Fires & fuel
- Do not move firewood; obtain it at or near your destination to prevent pest spread.
Site types & loops
- There is no boat dock or ramp; boats must be carried to the lake, and only trolling motors are permitted.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 4, 2026