BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND

For Idahoans who love to blend their outdoor adventures with a fascinating journey into the state's rich history, BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND offers a truly unique and memorable experience. Nestled within the picturesque Yankee Fork drainage of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, this campground is more than just a place to set up camp; it's a gateway to Idaho's gold rush past and an ideal base for exploring rugged trails and pristine wilderness. If you're planning a gathering with friends or family and seek a remote yet comfortable setting with a touch of historical intrigue, BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND is an excellent choice for your next Idaho outing.

This comprehensive article will guide you through the distinctive features of BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND, detailing its location and accessibility, the services it provides, and the highlights that make it a compelling destination for Idaho residents. We'll also incorporate insights from real visitors to give you a clear picture of what to expect from this well-regarded group camping facility. Prepare to discover a clean, scenic, and historically rich spot perfect for your Idaho group adventure.

BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND is located on Yankee Fork Rd, Challis, ID 83226, USA. This address places it approximately nine miles up the scenic and historic Yankee Fork drainage, within the Salmon-Challis National Forest. While the address is listed with Challis, Idaho, the campground is about 23 miles from Stanley, Idaho, offering a different access point to this popular region.

Accessibility to BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND involves navigating Forest Service roads. From Highway 75, a main artery through central Idaho, you'll turn onto Yankee Fork Road (Forest Road 013) at the Sunbeam Dam overlook. You'll travel approximately seven miles north on Yankee Fork Road before turning left at the Bonanza Guard Station onto Forest Road 074. The campground is then about half a mile further. While the roads are generally accessible, they are unpaved Forest Service roads, meaning conditions can vary depending on weather and maintenance. It's always advisable to check current road conditions with the Forest Service before your visit, especially for larger RVs or trailers.

The remote nature of its location, deep within the Yankee Fork drainage, means a scenic drive surrounded by forested terrain and mountainous landscapes. Despite its somewhat secluded feel, its accessibility from major highways within a few hours from Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Boise makes it a viable destination for many Idaho residents. The journey itself is part of the experience, offering stunning views and a sense of heading into true Idaho wilderness.

BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, offers a range of essential services tailored to accommodate group camping, ensuring a comfortable and functional stay in a rustic setting. Reviews highlight the cleanliness and welcoming nature of the campground:

• Group Campsite: The campground is specifically designated as a "Group Campground," featuring "1 site" that can accommodate a large number of people, often up to 70 individuals, and up to 20 vehicles. This makes it ideal for family reunions, club gatherings, or large group adventures.
• Toilets: The campground provides restroom facilities, specifically "Toilets." While details specify "vault toilet" at similar nearby campgrounds, these are generally kept "very clean," suggesting a commitment to sanitation.
• Potable Water: Access to "Potable water" is available on-site, a critical amenity for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene in a group setting.
• Picnic Table: The group campsite includes "Picnic Table" facilities, offering ample space for communal meals and activities. Some sources mention "covered picnic tables" at other nearby sites, suggesting a similar possibility here.
• Fire Pit/Rings: A "firepit" or fire ring is provided, allowing for safe campfires (subject to current fire restrictions) for warmth, cooking, and gathering. Campfires are generally "allowed" here.
• Sewage Hookups: Uniquely for a Forest Service campground of this type, some sources mention "Sewage hookups." This is a significant amenity for RV groups and should be confirmed, as it's not universally available at such facilities.
• Parking: The site accommodates a substantial number of vehicles (up to 20), making it suitable for groups with multiple cars or RVs (up to 45 feet for RVs and trailers).
• Check-in/Check-out Times: Standard check-in is typically 2:00 pm, with check-out at 12:00 pm.

BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND offers a host of features and highlights that make it a compelling destination, especially for Idahoans seeking both outdoor adventure and a dive into local history:

• Historic Location between Ghost Towns: The campground is uniquely "sandwiched between two ghost towns," Bonanza and Custer. This provides an extraordinary opportunity to "learn the area's rich mining history through the interpretive sites" and "explore both Custer and Bonanza Ghost Towns." This historical context adds a fascinating dimension to the camping experience.
• Access to Yankee Fork Gold Dredge: Just two miles from the campground, near Custer, is the impressive "Yankee Fork Gold Dredge," a massive historical structure. "Interpretive tours of the structure are offered from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day," providing an immersive look into the region's mining past.
• "Epic Enduro Motorcycle Trail" Access: As highlighted by a reviewer, the area is known for "Epic enduro motorcycle trail or of here." This indicates excellent access to motorized trails, making it a prime spot for off-road enthusiasts.
• Great Scenery and Remote Feel: Reviewers praise the "Great scenery and remote" feel of the campground. It is situated in a "beautiful valley near the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River," surrounded by "Lodgepole pines" and abundant "summer wildflowers."
• Fishing Opportunities: The "Yankee Fork provides good fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and whitefish," offering excellent angling opportunities just steps away from the campsite.
• Extensive Hiking Trails: "Many miles of trails crisscross the area, including the West Fork of Yankee Fork, Crimson Lake Trail and Lightning Creek Trail. Trailheads for each are not far from the campground," catering to hikers of all levels.
• Group-Oriented Facilities: As a dedicated group campground, it's designed to accommodate larger parties, fostering a communal and social camping experience that's often hard to find at individual sites.
• Clean and Well-Maintained: Positive reviews stating "Very clean and a very nice camping" indicate that the Forest Service maintains a high standard of cleanliness and upkeep for the facilities.
• Proximity to Sunbeam Dam Site: Located "nine miles down the canyon," the historic Sunbeam Dam site offers additional exploration and information about the only dam ever built on the Salmon River.

For inquiries, reservations, or to confirm current conditions at BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND, please use the following contact information:

Address: Yankee Fork Rd, Challis, ID 83226, USA

Phone: (208) 879-4100

Mobile Phone: +1 208-879-4100

BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND is managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the Salmon-Challis National Forest, specifically the Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District. The provided phone numbers (208-879-4100) are for the Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District Office. This office is the best point of contact for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the campground.

As a popular group camping area, it is highly recommended to "make sure to make your plans in advance" and "Reserve in advance." Reservations for BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND are typically made through the Recreation.gov website. This is the federal government's primary platform for booking campsites on Forest Service lands. On Recreation.gov, you can check availability, confirm fees (which can vary, ranging from $35.00 to $100.00 per night depending on the site), view specific site details, and review any alerts or closures affecting the campground.

When contacting the Ranger District or checking online, be sure to confirm important details such as:

• Current Fire Restrictions: Always verify if campfires are permitted.
• Road Conditions: Especially for larger vehicles, inquire about the current state of Yankee Fork Road (Forest Road 013) and Forest Road 074.
• Water Availability: Confirm potable water access, especially outside the main season (normally open from end of May to beginning of September).
• Gold Dredge Tour Schedule: If interested in the interpretive tours.

BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND is an ideal and highly suitable destination for Idahoans, particularly those looking for a group camping experience that blends outdoor recreation with rich historical immersion. For locals, its location within the Salmon-Challis National Forest, easily accessible from central Idaho's communities, offers a manageable drive for a weekend or extended stay. This convenience allows Idaho residents to fully leverage their proximity to the state's incredible wilderness and history.

The unique feature of being "sandwiched between two ghost towns" and in close proximity to the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge provides an unparalleled opportunity for educational and recreational exploration. This appeals to Idahoans who seek more than just a campsite, but a destination that offers a story and a journey back in time. Combined with "epic enduro motorcycle trails," good fishing on the Yankee Fork, and extensive hiking opportunities, the campground caters to a diverse range of outdoor pursuits that are popular among locals.

The fact that it's a "very clean and a very nice camping" facility with essential amenities like toilets, potable water, and fire pits ensures a comfortable experience for groups of all sizes. BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND truly embodies the spirit of Idaho, offering rugged beauty, thrilling adventures, and a deep connection to the state's historical roots, all within a well-maintained and group-friendly setting.

BONANZA CCC GROUP CAMPGROUND

Yankee Fork Rd, Challis, ID 83226, USA