Idaho › Adams County › Payette National Forest

Last Chance

Open

Open and operating first-come-first-served. As of May 2026, the water system is not yet in service; campers should bring their own water. Stay limited to 14 consecutive days.

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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.

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…

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.

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).

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).

Granite Mountain Over Snow Vehicle Closure

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during commercial cat skiing and grooming operations.

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.

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…

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.

Big Creek Area Boating Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to protect Chinook Salmon and steelhead.

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.

Lost Valley Closure Area

The purpose of this order is to protect a federally listed, threatened species and its occupied habitat.

Calf Pen Area Closure

The area adjacent to NFS Road #50073 has been identified as a sensitive area for a federally listed, threatened species.

Commercial Hauling

The purpose of this order is protect public safety and National Forest resources.

Bridge Load Limits

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety.

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.

Over-Snow Vehicle Closure

The purpose of this order is to protect public safety and natural resources.

Public Safety- Occupancy and Use

This order is in place for public health and safety.

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.

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).

Brundage Mountain Resort Snowcat Route Closure

The closure of the snowcat routes to over-snow vehicles provides for the safety of persons recreating or using the area.

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.

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

Last Chance Campground sits along Goose Creek in the Payette National Forest, surrounded by mature Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir trees at approximately 4,653 feet elevation. The campground offers 20 single sites and 3 double sites, all available on a first-come-first-served basis with a 14-day stay limit. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. Vault toilets are on-site, and potable water is typically available from a hand pump during summer months. The campground serves as an excellent base for recreation. Goose Creek Trail #353 begins at the campground and leads to Goose Creek Falls, a family-friendly hike with late-summer huckleberry picking opportunities. Goose Lake is nearby with a picnic area, restrooms, and fishing piers. Fishing is available both in the reservoir and in Goose Creek adjacent to the campground. No hookups, showers, dump station, or trash service are available. Campers must pack out all trash. A volunteer camp host is typically present from May through September. The campground tends to fill quickly on weekends and holidays.

Directions

From McCall, travel north on Highway 55 for 7 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 453 (marked by a small sign for Last Chance Campground). Follow the gravel road approximately 2 miles to the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

BRUNDAGE RESERVOIR DISPERSED 4.7mi Grouse Campground 5.6mi GOOSE LAKE DISPERSED 5.7mi Ponderosa State Park 7.4mi HARD CREEK DISPERSED 13mi Upper Payette Lake Campground 12mi Hazard Lake 15mi Evergreen Campground 12mi BLACK LEE DISPERSED 12mi

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Location

44.988435, -116.190021

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) 347-0300

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	Yes
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

View on Recreation.gov
Payette NF Last Chance Campground

Availability

Photos

Goose Creek runs adjacent to Last Chance Campground.

Horseshoe pits in Last Chance Campground

Group area for day use including five benches around a large fire pit. Adjacent to horseshoe pits.

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