Caribou Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. The campground closed September 21, 2025 and typically reopens around Memorial Day weekend, operating through mid-September depending on weather and snow conditions.
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.
Over-Snow Vehicle and Bicycle Prohibitions
This order covers over-snow vehicle and bicycle use on the Fairfield and Ketchum Ranger Districts and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Sawtooth Wilderness Area Occupancy and Use
This order covers occupancy and use requirements for the Sawtooth Wilderness area on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Hemingway-Boulders and Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Areas - Occupancy and Use
This over covers occupancy and use requirements of the Hemingway-Boulders and Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness Areas on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Forestwide Occupancy and Use
This order covers occupancy and use prohibitions on all National Forest System lands and roads within the Sawtooth National Forest.
Occupancy and Use - Food Storage
This order covers requirements for possessing and storing food while visiting the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
Sawtooth National Recreation Area - Occupancy and Use
This covers occupancy and use requirements, including stay limits, for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
About
Caribou Campground is a small, intimate campground with just 7 sites located in a dense pine forest approximately 2 miles northeast of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters. This first-come, first-served facility serves as an ideal basecamp for exploring the surrounding wilderness and provides access to some of the area's best hiking and fishing opportunities. The campground's location near several major trailheads makes it popular with hikers heading into the Hemingway-Boulder Wilderness Area. Trails from nearby Northfork Canyon lead to spectacular alpine destinations including Murdock Creek, Amber Lakes, and Window Lake, with stunning views of Ryan Peak, Kent Peak, Glassford Peak, and Silver Peak, all exceeding 11,000 feet in elevation. Anglers will find excellent fishing opportunities in both the Big Wood River and Murdock Creek, while wildlife viewing is exceptional throughout the area. Due to the narrow forest road access and limited turnaround space, RVs and trailers are not recommended for this campground. The remote setting and lack of water means campers should come prepared and self-sufficient, but those seeking a quiet, wooded camping experience near world-class hiking will find Caribou Campground an excellent choice.
Directions
From Ketchum, drive north 8 miles on Highway 75, then turn off at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Headquarters and continue northeast approximately 2 miles on Forest Road 146, turning left at the campground sign.
Nearby Campgrounds
Location
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 | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
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