COUGAR CG
Closed — Closed for the winter season. Typically opens around Memorial Day and operates through mid-September. Occupancy limit is 10 days in a 30-day period within a 30-mile radius for all of SNRA.
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
Cougar Dispersed Camping Area is a primitive camping area located north of Caribou developed campground along the North Fork Road in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The camping area sits alongside the North Fork of the Big Wood River and offers multiple dispersed sites, some directly on the riverbanks. The area can accommodate larger rigs and provides access to hiking trails leading to Amber Lakes, Window Lake, and the Hemingway-Boulder Wilderness Area. The Big Wood River and surrounding creeks offer fishing opportunities, and the area is known for excellent wildlife viewing. The Harriman Trail is accessible from this area. As a dispersed camping location, visitors should expect primitive conditions with no developed amenities, following Leave No Trace principles.
Directions
From Ketchum, head north on SR-75 to the North Fork Visitor Center at the intersection of SR-75 and FR-146 (North Fork Road). The dispersed camping area is located north along the left side of North Fork Road, beginning near the visitor center and extending north of Caribou Campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (208) 423-7500 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Cougar Dispersed Camping Area |
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