Brownlee Creek flows near the campground

Idaho › Washington County › Payette National Forest

Brownlee

Open

Open for the season. The campground operates mid-May through late September or early October. First-come, first-served only with no advance reservations. Payment available on-site via Recreation.gov mobile app QR code.

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Air Quality Alert issued July 20 at 2:33PM MDT by NWS Boise ID

2:33 PM — July 21st, 2:45 PM

* WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Ada, Canyon, Gem, Payette, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 3 PM MDT WEDNESDAY. * IMPACTS...Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Air Quality Alert issued July 20 at 2:06PM MDT by NWS Boise ID

2:06 PM — July 21st, 2:15 PM

Air Quality Alert issued July 20 at 8:21AM MDT by NWS Boise ID

8:21 AM — July 21st, 8:30 AM

* WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Ada, Canyon, Gem, Payette, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 3 PM MDT WEDNESDAY. * 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

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

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

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 Creek Area Boating Restrictions

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

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

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

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

Commercial Hauling

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

Payette National Forest

Bridge Load Limits

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety.

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

Brownlee Campground sits in a grove of Ponderosa pines that provide welcome shade during hot Idaho summers. The 11-site campground is located just off Highway 71, about 16 miles northwest of Cambridge, making it accessible yet removed enough from the main road to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations available. Payment of the $10 nightly fee can be made on-site via the Recreation.gov mobile app's QR code scanning feature, though visitors should download the app before arriving due to limited cell service in the area. Potable water is available from a hand pump, and vault toilets are provided. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. The 16-foot maximum limit for RVs means this campground is best suited for tent camping, truck campers, and small trailers. The nearby Brownlee Area offers access to hiking, fishing, and boating on Brownlee Reservoir. Dogs are welcome but should be kept on leash.

Directions

Sixteen miles northwest of Cambridge on Highway 71, then one mile east on Forest Road 044.

Nearby Campgrounds

Buck Park Cabin 4.9mi Spring Creek Campground 13mi Paradise Campground 15mi Justrite Campground 15mi Lafferty 16mi Kiwanis Campground 17mi Lake Fork Campground 19mi Mann Creek Campground 23mi Coverdale Campground 26mi

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Location

44.738505, -116.820177

2150-2198 Seid Creek Rd, Cambridge, ID 83610

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	16ft
Max Trailer Length	16ft
Big Rig Friendly	No
Pull Through Sites	No

Contact

Phone

+1 (208) 549-4200

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

View on Recreation.gov
USFS Brownlee Campground
Payette NF Alerts

Availability

Photos

Brownlee Campsite #6 with fire pit and picnic table

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