Closed
— Closed for the winter season. Typically opens around July 1st depending on snow conditions and road access.
About
Big Bayhorse Campground is a remote, high-elevation campground located on the scenic Bayhorse Lake in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. This out-of-the-way destination offers excellent fishing in both the lake and nearby streams, along with good hiking and ATV trail access for outdoor enthusiasts. The campground is accessed via Forest Road 051, a narrow and steep dirt road that requires caution, particularly for larger rigs.
Campsite facilities include picnic tables and fire rings with cooking grills. Within the campground, visitors will find vault toilets and a day use picnic area. On Bayhorse Lake, there is a boat launch and two boat docks available for non-motorized watercraft. While trailers are allowed, the campground is best suited for RVs and trailers less than 32 feet due to the challenging access road.
This is a primitive, pack-in/pack-out facility with no drinking water available on site and no garbage service. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees. Access is typically limited to summer months when the steep mountain road is passable.
Directions
From Challis, travel approximately six miles east on Highway 75, turn right onto Forest Road 051 at the sign, and continue upward 7 miles to Big Bayhorse Lake. From Stanley, take Bayhorse Road (Forest Road 051) off Highway 75, 19 miles downriver from the Yankee Fork Work Center Office. The road passes the old Bayhorse mining town and continues to Big and Little Bayhorse Lakes. This dirt road is narrow and steep; caution is advised.
Nearby Campgrounds