Big Creek
Closed — Closed for the winter season. Typical open season is early July through October, depending on snow levels. Water system is currently out of service for repairs; visitors should bring adequate drinking water.
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.
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.
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).
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 Manag
Granite Mountain Over Snow Vehicle Closure
The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during commercial cat skiing and grooming operations.
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.
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.
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.
Big Creek Area Boating Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect Chinook Salmon and steelhead.
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.
Lost Valley Closure Area
The purpose of this order is to protect a federally listed, threatened species and its occupied habitat.
Calf Pen Area Closure
The area adjacent to NFS Road #50073 has been identified as a sensitive area for a federally listed, threatened species.
Commercial Hauling
The purpose of this order is protect public safety and National Forest resources.
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.
Over-Snow Vehicle Closure
The purpose of this order is to protect public safety and natural resources.
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.
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).
Brundage Mountain Resort Snowcat Route Closure
The closure of the snowcat routes to over-snow vehicles provides for the safety of persons recreating or using the area.
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.
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
Big Creek Campground is a remote four-unit walk-in campground situated next to the Big Creek airstrip in the Payette National Forest, 86 miles northeast of McCall. The campground is popular with pilots camping overnight in Big Creek and serves as an excellent staging place for accessing the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Located near the Big Creek Work Station, the four walk-in campsites are positioned near a small stream that flows into Big Creek. The campground provides vault toilets and typically has drinking water available from a hand pump, though the water system is currently out of service for repairs. Visitors should bring their own water. The site operates on a pack-in/pack-out basis with no hookups. Access is via Forest Road 412, FR 340, and FR 371 from Yellow Pine, approximately 18 miles on narrow, winding roads. The campground typically opens in early July and operates through October, depending on snow levels. Nearby trail access from National Forest Road 371 includes the Big Creek/Smith Creek trailhead to the north and the Lick Creek Trailhead to the south. Visitors can enjoy fishing in Big Creek and wilderness exploration. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis at $10 per night.
Directions
86 miles northeast of McCall. From Yellow Pine, travel 18 miles east on East Fork Road (FR 412), Profile Gap Road (FR 340), and Big Creek-Smith Creek Road (FR 371). The road is narrow and winding; drive with caution. Sites are walk-in only with parking nearby.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 |
Availability
Photos
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