Kelly Creek Camp

About

Kelly Creek Camp is a dispersed camping area tucked into the backcountry of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests near the Montana border. Rather than an established campground with numbered sites, this is a primitive area where campers can find undeveloped spots along the creek and forest roads. The setting offers quiet solitude beside a mountain stream, with opportunities for hiking, backpacking, and fly fishing. The area serves as a trailhead for two significant trails. Little Moose Ridge Trail #760 follows a ridgeline for 9 miles from saddle to peak, connecting to other trails in the system. Kelly Creek Trail #567 is an easy-grade route following the creek through scenic meadows for 22.5 miles, with the final 3 miles climbing steeply toward the Bitterroot Divide. Kelly Creek itself is renowned among fly anglers for its wild westslope cutthroat trout that readily take a fly. This is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out area with no developed amenities. Campers must be self-sufficient, bringing their own water and removing all trash. The remote location and lack of facilities mean you're likely to have the area largely to yourself.

Directions

From Pierce, ID, take State Route 11 south 0.4 miles to French Mountain Road. Turn left onto French Mountain Road and go 0.4 miles to Kelly Creek sign (Forest Route 250). Continue straight on Route 250 for 47.6 miles to Kelly Creek campground sign (Forest Route 255). Continue straight on Route 255 for 0.2 miles to the campground.