Double walk-in campsite at River Loop adjacent to the South Fork of the Salmon River.

Idaho › Valley County › Payette National Forest

Buckhorn Bar

Open

Open for the season on a first-come, first-served basis. As of early May 2026, potable water was not yet functioning but typically becomes available as summer progresses. Campers should bring water until the hand pump is operational.

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Air Quality Alert issued August 7 at 10:42AM MDT by NWS Boise ID

August 7th, 10:42 AM — August 10th, 10:30 AM

* WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. * WHERE...Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington Counties. * WHEN...UNTIL 1 PM MDT MONDAY. * IMPACTS...Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.

Air Quality Alert issued August 7 at 10:17AM MDT by NWS Boise ID

August 7th, 10:17 AM — August 10th, 10:30 AM

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

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions protect public safety and natural resources by reducing the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and severe fire weather conditions. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions prohibit the following acts on all National Forest System (NFS) lands…

Payette National Forest

Tartar Fire Area Closure

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during the Tartar Fire.

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

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

Buckhorn Bar Campground is a riverside retreat in the Payette National Forest, positioned along the scenic South Fork Salmon River. The campground offers 13 sites: nine standard campsites and four walk-in tent-only sites located closer to the river. One of the walk-in sites is a double unit that can accommodate up to 16 people. This is a first-come, first-served campground with no advance reservations. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Vault toilets are available and ADA accessible. Drinking water is provided via hand pump seasonally, though it may not be operational early in the season. The South Fork Salmon River provides excellent fishing and whitewater rafting opportunities right from the campground.

Directions

From McCall, go 30 miles northeast on Lick Creek Road (Forest Road 48), then 7.5 miles south on the South Fork Road (Forest Road 674). Alternatively, access via Warm Lake Road just north of Cascade and head north along the South Fork of the Salmon River road (Forest Roads 474/674).

Nearby Campgrounds

Camp Creek 3.5mi Four Mile 5.6mi Poverty Flat 8.0mi Ponderosa 8.7mi Secesh Campground 8.8mi Kennally Creek 13mi Lake Fork 10mi BLACK LEE DISPERSED 11mi PENNY SPRINGS CAMPGROUND 16mi

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Location

44.937104, -115.738568

Yellow Pine, ID 83677

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 - $15

Vehicle

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

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

View on Recreation.gov
USFS Payette NF - Buckhorn Bar Campground

Availability

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