Narrow, one-lane access road to north loop of campground.

Idaho › Valley County › Payette National Forest

Lake Fork

Closed

Currently closed for the season. Water system was not yet functioning as of May 12, 2026. The campground typically opens late May or early June depending on conditions.

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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

Lake Fork Campground provides a scenic basecamp in the Payette National Forest, situated in a forested setting along the North Fork of Lake Fork Creek at approximately 5,329 feet elevation. The campground offers nine sites, all operated on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Each site features a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill. Two vault toilets serve the campground, and potable drinking water is typically available from a centrally located hand pump during the operating season. From the campground, several trails branch into the surrounding mountain wilderness. East Fork Lake Fork Creek Trail #104, Lake Fork First Bridge Trail #339, and Paddy Flat/Lake Fork Creek Trail #103 all depart from the area. Popular hiking destinations include Box Lake, Snowslide Lake, and Duck Lake. The nearby Slick Rock climbing area offers exposed granite walls. Driving further along Lick Creek Road leads to Lick Creek Summit at 6,879 feet, providing 360-degree panoramic views of the Salmon River Mountains. This is a primitive campground with no hookups, showers, or dump station. Campers must pack out all trash. Dogs are welcome and should be kept on a leash. The road to the campground turns to gravel and can be narrow and bumpy in sections.

Directions

Travel 9 miles east of McCall on Lick Creek Road (Forest Road 48). The road turns to gravel and is at times narrow and bumpy. Look for the Lake Fork Campground sign and turn right into the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

BLACK LEE DISPERSED 4.4mi RAPID CREEK DISPERSED 9.2mi Paddy Flat Guard Station 10mi Ponderosa State Park 7.4mi Kennally Creek 10mi Buckhorn Bar 10mi Upper Payette Lake Campground 14mi BRUNDAGE RESERVOIR DISPERSED 12mi Secesh Campground 13mi

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Location

44.923157, -115.94628

McCall, ID 83638

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

Contact

Phone

+1 (208) 634-0400

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

View on Recreation.gov
Payette NF Lake Fork Campground
Payette NF Alerts

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