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Nelson Creek Campground

Open

This free primitive campground is typically accessible during snow-free months, generally late spring through fall depending on conditions. No reservations are required.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Northern Region Camping & Target Restrictions, Pallet Prohibition

This order defines the maximum length of occupation at a single location or cumulatively at any number of locations within a calendar year, within the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Weed Free Forage & Mulch Products Order for the Northern Region

It is illegal to possess, store or transport straw, hay, grain, seed or other forage or mulch products on Forest Service lands without documentation that the product is certified as “weed free” by a state certification process that meets or exceeds the North American Weed Free Forage standards.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

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).

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

RESCINDED: R1-2025-02 Use of Vehicles Off Road

Order terminated 7/7/2026: Use of vehicles off road prohibition for the Nez-Perce Clearwater and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests and Dakota Prairie Grasslands.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Additional Selway River Trail Closure

Forest Service Trail # 4 from Wilderness Boundary (T31N R10E S8 / 46.045657, -115.241604) to Big Rock Trail # 693 (T32N R12E S11 / 46.123786, -114.934325).

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Sixty-Two Ridge Trail Closure

Sixty-Two Ridge Trail # 606 – Forest Service Trail # 606 from its junction with SelwayRiver Trail # 4 (T32N, R11E, SENW Sec 22) in its entirety.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Three Link and Saddle Ridge Trail Closure

Three Links Trail # 405 – is closed from its junction with Selway Trail # 4 (T32N, R11E, SENW Sec 22) north to its junction with Big Rock Trail # 693 (T33N, R11E, NENE Sec 30). Saddle Ridge Trail # 455 – From its junction with Three Links Trail # 405 (T32N, R11E, SWNE Sec 4) north to its…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Moose Mountain Area, Road, and Trail Closure

The Moose Mountain Fire has grown, requiring additional closures

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Moose Creek Ranger District Trail Closures

Jims Creek Trail NFST #601- Forest Service trail #601 from its junction with Otter Butte Trail #623 (T31N R10E S11 / 46.03407, -115.16858) to its junction with Highline Ridge Trail #626 (T31N R11E S5 / 46.05037, -115.11062). Highline Ridge Trail NFST #626 - Forest Service trail #626 from its…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Little Weitas Trail Closures

NFST 103 and NFST 173 Are Closed Due To Fire Danger and For Public Safety

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Central IdahoKAMIAH, Idaho – Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will be in effect for both the East and West Zones of the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area until further notice. Fire Restrictions apply to all lands managed or protected by the U.S. Forest…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Selway River Trail Extended Closures

NFS Trail #4 - Selway River Trail – Is closed beginning at the intersection with NFST 607 at Cupboard Creek (T32N, R10E, NENW Sec 35 / 46.077834, -115.171062) and ending at the intersection with NFS Trail 693, Big Rock Trail (T32N, R12E, SWSW Sec 11 / 46.123786, -114.934325).

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Extended Selway River Trail Fire Closure

Due to an active wildfire and associated hazardous conditions, NFS Trail #4 – Selway River Trail – is closed beginning at its intersection with NFS Trail 607 at Cupboard Creek (T32N, R10E, NENW Sec 35) and ending at its intersection with NFS Trail 693, Big Rock Trail (T32N, R12E, SWSW Sec 11).…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Multiple Trail Closures in the Grotto Fire Area

Due to active wildfire activity and hazardous conditions, multiple trails in the Rhoda Creek, Eagle Mountain, Fish Lake, and Wounded Doe areas are closed, including Rhoda Creek Trail #620 from Wounded Doe Creek Trail #465 to Eagle Mountain Trail #206; Eagle Mountain Trail #206 from Upper Rhoda…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Sixty‑Two Ridge Trail #606 Fire Closure

Due to an active wildfire and associated hazardous conditions, Sixty‑Two Ridge Trail #606 is closed in its entirety beginning at its junction with the Selway River Trail #4 (T32N, R11E, SENW Sec 22). This closure is in effect to ensure public safety while fire activity continues in the area.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

NFSR 250 Fire Closure

Due to active wildfire activity and associated conditions, NFSR 250 is closed beginning at its junction with NFSR 255 at the Kelly Forks Work Center (T39N, R10E, SWSW Sec 15) and ending at the intersection with NFSR 255 and the Deception Saddle Road (T40N, R11E, NESE Sec 6). This closure is in…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Three Links and Saddle Ridge Trail Fire Closure

Due to active wildfire activity and associated conditions, Three Links Trail #405 is closed from its junction with Selway Trail #4 (T32N, R11E, SENW Sec 22) north to its junction with Big Rock Trail #693 (T33N, R11E, NENE Sec 30). Saddle Ridge Trail #455 is also closed, beginning at its junction…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

NFSR 520 Reconstruction and Timber Harvest Closure

Temporarily closure order for National Forest System Road 520 on the Lochsa‑Powell Ranger District to protect public safety during road reconstruction and timber harvest operations. The closure is in effect from July 27 to August 28, 2026, with exemptions for permitted users, authorized…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Selway River Trail Fire Closure

Due to an active wildfire and associated conditions, NFS Trail #4 - Selway River Trail – Is closed beginning at the intersection with NFST 607 at Cupboard Creek (T32N, R10E, NENW Sec 35) and ending at the intersection with NFS Trails 405 and 438 at Three Links Creek (T32N, R11E, CENT Sec 22).

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Dry Creek Culvert Replacement--Closure of NFSR #768

NFSR #76 will be closed from July 18-July 24from Mile Post 1.00 at SW1/4 of the NE1/4 of T42N, R2W, Section 30 to its junction with NFSR 1427

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

NFSR 247 Road Closure

NFSR 247 is closed from the junction with with Idaho State Highway 11 at Headquarters, ID (T38N, R05E, SWSE Sec 15) to Mile Post 5.15 (T39N, R05E, SESE Section 27) for a timber sale from July 7-September 30, 2026

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Roads Closed on North Fork Ranger District (French Larch Project)

Closure order restricting public access to Roads 547, 660, 5215, and 5218 on the North Fork Ranger District for safety during road work and timber operations.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Lockout Trails Closure

FS Trail 228 – is closed from the junction with the 1423 road (T 43N, R 02 W, SWSW Sec 34) to the intersection with FS Trail 319 (T 43N, R 02 W, SESW Sec 34). FS Trail 319 – is closed from the junction with FSR 1423 (T 42N, R 02 W, NENW Sec 03) to the junction with FSR 73729 (T 43N, R 02 W,…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

O'Hara Bridge Closure

Hamby Fork NFSR #651 – Is closed from the junction with O’Hara Bar Campground entrance NFSR #651A (Section 25, T32N, R07E) approximately 0.25 miles to the end of the construction boundary (Section 25, T32N, R07E)

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Grangeville Salmon Road Closure Extension

NFSR #221, Grangeville Salmon Road is closed weekly Monday – Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; from the Cold Springs Subdivision approximately MP 9 in (T27N R03E S36) ending at MP 30.61

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

White Pine Fire Scar Closure

This order is to protect public safety as the forest remediates the impact of the white pine fire

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

NFSR #1803 Road Closure

NFSR #1803 Will be closed from May 22 through June 12 for the Dead Post Timber Sale

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Barnyard Timber Sale Road and Trail Closures

The closure applies to the following areas NFSR #680 – Closed from the Forest Service boundary to the JCT with NFSR 246. NFSR #681 – Closed from Sheep Saddle to Swanson Saddle.NFSR #683 – Closed from Deadhorse Saddle to Sheep Mtn Saddle.NFSR #5323 – Closed from Sheep Mtn Saddle to the end…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Selway Falls Campground Closure

The Selway Falls Campground is closed due to the impact of the Island Creek Fire on possible erosion and debris flow

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

O'Hara Beach Area Closure

This closure order applies to O'Hara Beach, Bbginning at, but not including, CCC Camp Trailhead, extending north to include the entirety of the Trombetta Flats administrative area, continuing east to administrative road #233 C, extending south to and including the shoreline of the Selway River,…

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Knife Edge Camping Partial Closure

Sites 3, 4, and 5 at Knife Edge Campground will be close during whitewater boating season, April 15-June 30th

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Laird Park Water Unavailable For 2026 Season

Forest Service staff have labored diligently to ensure potable water is available for campers at Laird Park this season. Unfortunately, water system tests have come back negatively and the water is not up to our safety standards. We are working to reengineer the water system for future recreation…

About

Nelson Creek Campground is a primitive, no-fee campground managed by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in Idaho County, Idaho. Located in the remote backcountry near the South Fork Clearwater River drainage, this site provides a rustic camping option for those seeking solitude in the Rocky Mountains. As a primitive USFS campground, facilities are minimal. Campers should come prepared to be self-sufficient, bringing their own water and packing out all trash. The surrounding area offers access to national forest lands for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Directions

From Grangeville, Idaho, head south on the Grangeville-Salmon Road. Turn left at the drive-in theater toward Mt. Idaho. Continue on the Mt. Idaho Grade toward Elk City on Highway 14. Nelson Creek Campground is located along the South Fork of the Clearwater River at milepost 14 on Highway 14.

Nearby Campgrounds

South Fork Group Site 5 0.5mi Castle Creek Campground 0.7mi South Fork Campground 1.0mi Meadow Creek Campground 2.5mi Fish Creek Group Use 5.0mi Fish Creek Pavilion 5.1mi Corral Creek Campground 11mi Adams Ranger Station 13mi Rocky Bluff Campground 14mi

Location

45.83372116088867, -115.98087310791016

Mount Idaho, ID 83530

Amenities

Water	No
Fires Allowed	—
Toilets	—
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	No
Pull Through Sites	—

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

Nez Perce-Clearwater NF Camping

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