Idaho › Adams County › Payette National Forest

BRUNDAGE RESERVOIR DISPERSED

Open

Access depends on snow conditions. Goose Lake Road is typically snow-free and passable from July through October. Early May may still have snow limiting access. Dispersed camping is permitted year-round when roads are accessible. No reservations required, first-come first-served.

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

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

Brundage Reservoir Dispersed encompasses primitive camping opportunities on Payette National Forest lands surrounding Brundage Reservoir, located approximately 9 miles north of Highway 55 via Goose Lake Road (Forest Road 257). The reservoir itself has a small day-use site at the dam outlet, but dispersed camping is permitted throughout the surrounding forest lands. This is a true backcountry experience with minimal infrastructure. Campers should be fully self-sufficient with water, supplies, and waste management. The area is best suited for tent camping or small RVs; large rigs will find access roads challenging. Fishing at the reservoir is productive, and small motorboats are allowed. Goose Lake Road typically becomes snow-free from July through October, making this the primary camping season. Winter and spring access is often impossible due to snow accumulation. The 14-day stay limit applies forest-wide, after which campers must relocate at least 5 miles from their original site.

Directions

From Highway 55, take Goose Lake Road (Forest Road 257) located 4.5 miles north of McCall or 6.5 miles east of New Meadows. Drive north approximately 9 miles to reach Brundage Reservoir. Road conditions vary; high clearance vehicle recommended.

Nearby Campgrounds

Grouse Campground 2.6mi GOOSE LAKE DISPERSED 2.7mi Last Chance 4.7mi Upper Payette Lake Campground 7.5mi HARD CREEK DISPERSED 9.3mi Ponderosa State Park 9.7mi Hazard Lake 11mi BLACK LEE DISPERSED 9.4mi Lake Fork 12mi

Location

45.04167175292969, -116.13027954101563

New Meadows, ID, 83654, USA Goose Lake Rd, New Meadows, ID 83654

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	$0

Vehicle

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

Contact

Phone

+1 (208) 634-0700

Cell Service

AT&T	Yes
Verizon	Yes
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

Payette NF Camping & Cabins
Brundage Reservoir Dam Day Use Site
Goose Lake Area Recreation
Payette NF Alerts

Community Posts

No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!