Idaho / Caribou County / Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Big Springs - Caribou

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates from late May through early September. During the off-season, some loops may be gated closed with first-come, first-served access, no fee, no water, and limited toilet service.

About

Big Springs Campground is nestled along the banks of Pebble Creek at an elevation of 6,500 feet in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, just 16 miles from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. The campground features two distinct loops with different character. Loop A sits beneath a Douglas fir forest providing partial shade, while Loop B is situated among a grove of aspens offering limited shade. Sagebrush, grasses, and summer wildflowers dot the surrounding landscape. The campground offers excellent recreational opportunities including fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout in Pebble Creek. The Big Springs Nature Trail begins at the campground, offering an easy path along the creek. The multi-use Boundary Trail for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle use also begins in the campground and accesses several additional local trails. The campground includes single and double sites with tables, campfire rings, and grills, plus two equestrian sites with horse corrals and hitching racks. A large group site can accommodate up to 175 people. Lava Hot Springs is close enough for a day trip, featuring natural hot springs soaking pools, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, water slides, diving platforms, disc golf courses, and tubing on the Portneuf River. The campground is managed by Pinnacle Parks LLC under special use permit with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Directions

Just east of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, look for Pebble Area sign and turn left onto Blaser Highway/Old Highway 30. Go north on the paved highway 9 miles to Pebble Creek Road (locally known as Mike's Place or Whiskey Mike's). Turn left across railroad tracks on gravel Forest Road 036. Travel about 7 miles to the campground. Pebble Creek Road is a narrow single-lane dirt road not suitable for very large RVs that require significant overhead clearance and have limited turning capacity.

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