Upper Penstemon Campground
Currently closed for the season. The campground typically opens in June and operates through September, with exact dates varying based on snow and road conditions.
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.
Fox Creek Temporary Trail & Trailhead Closures
Implementation of the Fox Creek Bridge Replacement Project will require intermittent, temporary trail and trailhead closures. Unscheduled closures may be necessary, but here are some target dates for visitors to keep in mind when planning activities in the area:May 11-14, 2026: Trailhead will be…
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 order covers occupancy and use requirements for 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.
About
Upper Penstemon Campground is a small, scenic campground located at the base of Magic Mountain Ski Area within the Sawtooth National Forest. The campground features 8 individual campsites and 1 group site, suitable for tents, motor homes, and trailers. Sites include vault toilets with ADA accessibility, but no potable water is available. This first-come, first-served campground operates seasonally, typically from June through September depending on conditions. Campers can pay on-site using fee envelopes at the collection box or via the Recreation.gov mobile app's Scan and Pay feature. The campground enforces a limit of 2 vehicles per site and prohibits camping for more than 14 days within any 28-day period. Horses are not allowed in the campground. The surrounding area offers diverse recreation opportunities including trout fishing, hiking to Pike Mountain viewpoint from Elk Butte Spring, and wildlife watching during summer months. In winter, the area transforms into a winter sports destination with five cross-country ski trails ranging from 1.2 to 8.1 miles, 55 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and Magic Mountain Ski Resort with three lifts and 14 runs.
Directions
Upper Penstemon Campground is located 27.2 miles south of Hansen, ID at the base of Magic Mountain Ski Area.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (208) 678-0430 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
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