Upper Penstemon Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Typically open June through September depending on snow conditions. First-come, first-served only with no advance reservations.
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
Upper Penstemon Campground is located at the base of Magic Mountain Ski Area in the South Hills region of Sawtooth National Forest, 27.2 miles south of Hansen, Idaho. The small campground offers 8 individual campsites and 1 group site on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents, with amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and accessible vault toilets. The campground also features a baseball diamond and horseshoe pits for recreation. During summer months, visitors enjoy trout fishing in nearby Rock Creek, hiking trails including the route from Elk Butte Spring to Pike Mountain viewpoint, and abundant wildlife watching opportunities. The campground's location at the base of Magic Mountain makes it popular year-round. Winter transforms the area into a snow sports destination with three groomed cross-country ski trails (ranging from 1.2 to 8.1 miles), 55 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and 350 miles of ungroomed marked routes. Magic Mountain Ski Resort operates nearby with three lifts accessing 14 runs, and a heated shelter at Diamondfield Jack parking area provides warmth for winter visitors. Campers must bring their own water as none is available on-site. The campground is ADA accessible. Payment is collected via fee envelopes and a collection box at the entrance, with some sites potentially offering QR code payment through the Recreation.gov mobile app's Scan and Pay feature.
Directions
Located 27.2 miles south of Hansen, Idaho at the base of Magic Mountain Ski Area in the South Hills.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| 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 | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
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