Idaho › Valley County › Payette National Forest

Poverty Flat

Open

Open for the season. Potable water is not yet functioning as of early May 2026; campers should bring their own water supply. All sites are first-come, first-served with $10/night fee. Check-in at 2:00 PM, check-out at 11:00 AM.

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Air Quality Alert issued August 4 at 12:16PM MDT by NWS Boise ID

August 4th, 12:16 PM — August 6th, 1:00 PM

* WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 2 PM MDT FRIDAY. * IMPACTS...Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Payette National Forest

Weed Free Hay Order 04-2021-03

Prohibited by this order: Possessing, storing, or transporting non-pelletized hay, straw, or mulch in the Intermountain Region, unless it is certified as weed free by the state where the product originated.

Payette National Forest

Fireworks and Spark Arrestor Order 04-2021-01

Prohibited by this order: Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device. 36 CFR §261.52(t)Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order as described…

Payette National Forest

Explosives and Exploding Target Order 04-2021-02

This order prohibits the use of explosives and exploding targets on National Forest System lands within the Intermountain Region.

Payette National Forest

Northern and Intermountain Regions Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness

This order implements visitor use requirements for activities within the Restricted Area and on the Restricted Trails, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).

Payette National Forest

Northern and Intermountain Regions Salmon Wild and Scenic River: Occupancy and Use

This order enacts visitor use restrictions for activities within the 80-mile-long wild segment of the Salmon Wild & Scenic River corridor, including a one-quarter mile buffer from the river, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).

Payette National Forest

Tartar Fire Area Closure

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during the Tartar Fire.

Payette National Forest

Porphyry Bridge Closure

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety due to the damaged and unsafe Porphyry Bridge.

Payette National Forest

Lost Valley Log Hauling

Log hauling near Lost Valley Reservoir on the New Meadows Ranger District will occur throughout the rest of the year. Haul routes will be on Forest System Roads #089, #123, #139, #138, and #946. Roads will remain open to Forest users. The Forest is urging drivers to use caution when driving on…

Payette National Forest

Granite Mountain Over Snow Vehicle Closure

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during commercial cat skiing and grooming operations.

Payette National Forest

Chamberlain Airstrip Campground Restriction

The purpose of this Order is to protect resources, and the quality and wilderness character of the area as well as to avoid user conflicts between agency stock and private stock users in the area.

Payette National Forest

Wilderness Camping and Grazing Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to protect fragile, high elevation, water-based natural resources within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness from stock and user impacts.

Payette National Forest

Big Flat Campground Area Closure

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety prior to and during reconstruction of Big Flat Campground, which was severely damaged during the 2024 Lava Fire. The purpose of this order is to protect the public from hazards associated with post fire events, such as flooding and falling…

Payette National Forest

South Fork Salmon River East Trail Prohibitions

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety due to unsafe creek crossings on the Described Trail.

Payette National Forest

Big Creek Area Boating Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to protect Chinook Salmon and steelhead.

Payette National Forest

Lost Valley Closure Area

The purpose of this order is to protect a federally listed, threatened species and its occupied habitat.

Payette National Forest

Calf Pen Area Closure

The area adjacent to NFS Road #50073 has been identified as a sensitive area for a federally listed, threatened species.

Payette National Forest

Bridge Load Limits

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety.

Payette National Forest

Commercial Hauling

The purpose of this order is protect public safety and National Forest resources.

Payette National Forest

South Fork Salmon Road Weight Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and prevent potential resource damage during spring thaw conditions.

Payette National Forest

Public Safety- Occupancy and Use

This order is in place for public health and safety.

Payette National Forest

Payette Occupancy and Use- 14 Day Stay Limit

The purpose of this order is to address competition for campsites and to protect public safety and natural resources.

Payette National Forest

Frank Church Wilderness Occupancy and Use

The purpose of this order is to implement visitor use requirements for activities within the restricted area and on the restricted trails, as required by the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan (November 2003).

Payette National Forest

Gordon Titus Upper Elevation Parking Lot Winter Restrictions

To provide for public health and safety related to noise and to reduce user conflicts at high usewinter recreation areas.

Payette National Forest

South Fork Salmon River and Big Creek Float

The purpose of the order is to implement permit requirements for float boating on the South Fork of the Salmon River and Big Creek as required by the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area Management Plan.

About

Poverty Flat Campground sits alongside the South Fork Salmon River in the Krassel Ranger District of Payette National Forest. This paved campground offers 10 sites, including 4 walk-in tent sites and 6 standard sites, all available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site features a fire ring and hitching posts, making it popular with equestrian campers. The campground serves dual purposes as a takeout point for those floating the South Fork from Goat Creek and as a trailhead for an extensive network of loop trails. Blackmare Creek Trail (#100) begins directly in the campground. The trail system accommodates hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and trail bikes. Fishing in the river is available. Access requires navigating Forest Road 674, a paved but narrow one-lane road with two-way traffic and blind corners. The South Fork corridor is typically one of the earlier areas to become snow-free in spring. Campers should be prepared to pack out all trash as no trash service is provided.

Directions

From McCall, travel 30 miles northeast on Forest Road 48 (Lick Creek Road), then 13 miles south on FR 674 (South Fork Road). From Cascade, the South Fork corridor is approximately 30 miles via Warm Lake Highway. The South Fork Road is a paved, narrow, one-lane road with two-way traffic and many blind corners.

Nearby Campgrounds

Four Mile 2.7mi Camp Creek 4.6mi PENNY SPRINGS CAMPGROUND 7.8mi Buckhorn Bar 8.0mi TROUT CREEK CAMPGROUND 9.0mi SOUTH FORK SALMON RIVER CAMPGROUND 12mi Shoreline 12mi Picnic Point 12mi Kennally Creek 9.0mi

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Location

44.824672, -115.702442

Cascade, ID 83611

Amenities

Water	Yes
Fires Allowed	Yes
Toilets	Yes
Dump Station	No
Wifi	No
Pets Allowed	Yes
Showers	No
Electric Hookups	—
Water Hookups	—
Sewer Hookups	—
Camp Store	No
Price	$10

Vehicle

Max RV Length	—
Max Trailer Length	—
Big Rig Friendly	No
Pull Through Sites	No

Contact

Phone

+1 (208) 634-0600

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

View on Recreation.gov
USFS Payette NF - Poverty Flat Campground

Availability

Photos

Campsite overlooking the South Fork Salmon River.

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