Dog Creek Campground: A Quiet Escape in Idaho's Boise National Forest

Dog Creek Campground Introduce

Dog Creek Campground, nestled within the picturesque Boise National Forest, is a true retreat for those seeking a peaceful and genuine Idaho camping experience. Located at the foot of the majestic Trinity Mountain Range, this campground offers a serene escape from the noise and distractions of everyday life. As one reviewer noted, this "whole campground is off the main road and quiet," making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to relax and reconnect with nature. With its clean and well-maintained sites, and a setting surrounded by shrubs and aspen trees, Dog Creek provides a beautiful and tranquil environment for all types of campers.

The atmosphere at Dog Creek is one of calm and natural beauty. It’s a place where the soothing sound of the nearby creek, rather than traffic, sets the tone for your stay. The campground's size and layout contribute to its uncrowded feel, allowing for a sense of privacy even when other sites are occupied. It is a welcoming place for families, with a natural playground for kids to explore and a safe environment for your furry friends. Whether you're a seasoned camper or trying it for the first time, Dog Creek Campground provides a clean and peaceful setting that is perfect for creating lasting memories in the heart of Idaho's wilderness.

Dog Creek Campground is conveniently located within the Boise National Forest, with its address being Forest Road 061dg, Mountain Home, ID 83647, USA. Its remote yet accessible location makes it a great destination for a camping trip. The campground is situated on the banks of Dog Creek, and is just four miles from the town of Pine, in south-central Idaho. To get there from Mountain Home, you can travel east on Highway 20 for approximately 35 miles, then turn onto Forest Highway 61 (also known as Pine/Featherville turnoff). Continue on Highway 61 for about 23 miles until you arrive at the campground.

The roads and parking spurs within the campground are gravel, which is typical for a national forest campground. While it is located off the main road, its accessibility makes it a suitable destination for a wide range of vehicles, though campers should always check for any seasonal road closures or conditions before heading out. One reviewer mentioned that the nearby South Fork Boise River is "across the highway, really no good access within easy walking distance," which is a helpful tip for those planning water-based activities. Despite this, the campground itself is very walkable and easy to navigate, with a mostly flat terrain.

Dog Creek Campground provides essential services that make a rustic camping trip comfortable and convenient. These amenities are designed to support a self-sufficient camping style while ensuring basic needs are met. The services offered include:

Public restrooms: The campground features pit toilet bathrooms, which are noted by a reviewer as being "very clean." The presence of these facilities is a significant convenience for all campers.
Running water: Running water is available via a hand pump. While a recent review mentioned a temporary issue with the water system being down, it's a regular amenity that campers can rely on during most of the season. It is always wise to be prepared and bring your own water as a backup, just in case.
Tent sites: Dog Creek is well-equipped for tent campers, offering a variety of sites. There are eleven single-family campsites available, as well as two small group sites that can accommodate up to 15 people each, making it versatile for different group sizes.
On-site parking: On-site parking is available at each campsite. This allows for easy access to your gear and vehicle, which is particularly helpful for unloading and setting up camp.
Pet-friendly environment: The campground allows dogs, which is great news for those who want to bring their furry family members on their outdoor adventure. It’s important to remember to keep pets on a leash and to be a responsible pet owner.

These services, while not extensive, provide the necessary foundation for a wonderful and hassle-free camping trip, allowing you to focus on enjoying the natural surroundings.

Dog Creek Campground is full of unique features and highlights that make it a compelling destination for campers. These include:

Tranquil and quiet atmosphere: A key highlight is its secluded location "off the main road," which ensures a peaceful and quiet environment. Campers appreciate the serenity and the escape from traffic noise, allowing them to hear the sounds of nature.
Proximity to Dog Creek: The campground is located directly on Dog Creek, providing a lovely natural backdrop and a soothing soundtrack of flowing water. Campers at certain sites, such as Site 001, can enjoy the sound of the creek right from their tent.
Scenic forested setting: The campground is situated in a scenic ponderosa pine and aspen forest at an elevation of 4,600 feet. The natural cover provided by trees and shrubs offers privacy and a sense of being "tucked away."
Proximity to a variety of trails and hot springs: Dog Creek is a great basecamp for exploring the area. The Green Creek Trail 270, a 4.5-mile trail for hiking, biking, and off-road vehicles, begins just a mile from the site. The Cross Cut Trail 172 is also nearby. Baumgartner Hot Springs is approximately 16 miles away and features a soaking pool, offering a perfect way to relax after a day of adventure.
Good for kids: The natural environment is ideal for children to explore and play safely. The quiet atmosphere and the creek provide plenty of opportunities for family-friendly activities.

These highlights make Dog Creek Campground a versatile and appealing choice for anyone looking for a well-rounded outdoor experience.

For more information about Dog Creek Campground, you can use the following contact details:

Address: Boise National Forest, Forest Road 061dg, Mountain Home, ID 83647, USA

Phone: (877) 444-6777

Mobile Phone: +1 877-444-6777

For campground inquiries, it is recommended to call the local Mountain Home Ranger District at 208-587-7961. It is always a good idea to check with them for the latest updates on road conditions, water availability, and any fire restrictions. This proactive approach ensures that your trip is as smooth and prepared as possible, allowing you to focus on enjoying your time in the wilderness.

Dog Creek Campground is an excellent choice for your next camping trip for several compelling reasons. Its primary appeal is its peaceful and quiet nature, which is a standout feature for those who truly want to get away from it all. As one reviewer stated, the entire campground is "tucked away" and "off the main road," providing a level of tranquility that is hard to find at more popular spots. The clean and neat sites, with some surrounded by shrubs and aspen trees, offer a sense of privacy and natural beauty that enhances the camping experience. The presence of a clean pit toilet and running water (when the system is operational) provides a nice balance of rustic charm and basic comfort.

Additionally, the campground's proximity to a creek is a huge bonus, offering a soothing soundscape for your stay. The location also serves as a fantastic basecamp for a wide range of activities, from hiking and biking on nearby trails to exploring local hot springs like Baumgartner. It is also "good for kids" and allows dogs, making it a perfect destination for the entire family. Despite one review noting the distance to the main river, the overall positive feedback about the quiet atmosphere and clean facilities makes it a highly desirable choice. Dog Creek Campground embodies the best of Idaho's national forests: a peaceful, clean, and beautiful setting with just enough amenities to make your stay enjoyable and memorable.

Dog Creek Campground Details

Amenities
Public restroom
Restroom
Running water
Tent sites

Children
Good for kids

Parking
On-site parking

Pets
Dogs allowed

Dog Creek Campground Photos

Dog Creek Campground Location

Dog Creek Campground

Idaho Elmore County Mountain Home Forest Road 061DG

Boise National Forest, Forest Road 061dg, Mountain Home, ID 83647, USA

Dog Creek Campground Reviews

An average rating of ★4.2 from 25 user reviews.

bushesshareatv’spine treesfoot

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

Site 9 is FF, and not terribly big, but you’re tucked away surrounded by shrubs and aspen trees. this whole camp ground is off the main road and quiet. Clean, and neat sites, but sites 10 & 11 share the same site! You’re parked within feet of each other. We didn’t know that and got lucky to grab the FF instead.
June 07 · Adam Lewis
Nice, quiet campground with very clean pit toilet bathrooms. We enjoyed the sound of Dog Creek from Site 001. Wish there were trails to the creek instead of having to pick your way through the ferns, hoping to not crush them!!Only downside is the river is too far away (across the highway, really no good access within easy walking distance). And right now their water system is down (boo!), but we came prepared so it didn’t bother us much. Overall an enjoyable stay!
June 22 · Hannah Acheson
Super friendly hosts and very clean bathroom. Little bit uneven at site 6, but rain runs right off.
August 29 · William Plumley
Nice campground not far from home. Tons to do in the area for the average outdoorsman.
June 23 · Mark with a C
My wife and I were forced to make last minute changes to our camping trip this year (thanks to the Wapiti 2024 fire in Stanley) and Dog Creek was the only campground available on the dates we had set aside. We had been up to Pine once before but had never explored past the town.The campground itself is quiet and away from the main road but it is directly parallel to the South Fork of the Boise River. There are a TON of ponderosa pines and other various pine trees so the campground looks small because of the dense tree cover. From the main road, the main drive is a fairly narrow paved dirt/gravel road and not bumpy at all so most vehicles shouldn’t have an issue with it.The camp sites themselves are a little close to each other but you’re not shoulder to shoulder or directly on top of each other. The camp host greeted us upon our arrival, filled us in on the fire restrictions and said to let him know if we needed anything.We had reserved sites 10 and 11 but in reality, they might as well call it a group site because there is no separation between the two, you even share a "driveway”. There were fire rings, tent pads (at some sites) and picnic tables, along with shepherds hooks for hanging trash off of the ground. There were also metal tables at every site that we think are intended for camp stoves. (The picnic tables are wood)The fire rings were well cared for (none damaged that we saw and they all had adjustable grills)….but our fire ring was very close to the bushes which was a little sketchy.This campground is nice and quiet and full of trees. But unfortunately, for us, that’s where the appeal ends. In order to get to the actual Dog Creek from the campground, you have to hope that sites 2 and 5 are not occupied and even then, the creek isn’t super exciting. It’s pretty but it’s a climb down into a ravine of sorts and it’s not deep enough to lay in and there aren’t any places to setup chairs to just enjoy it. The water flowing through the creek is clean and it is pretty to look at, but that’s about all it’s good for.As for other things to do at the campground, there isn’t much. There are no hiking trails as far as we could tell, but if you go across the street to the river, you can actually enjoy your stay, assuming the banks of the river aren’t packed with dispersed campers and their ATV’s.The campground does have water spigots and the water tasted fine. The restrooms (vault toilets) were impeccable in terms of cleanliness. Some of the nicest Forest Service campground restrooms we’ve used and the camp host does an awesome job of keeping them clean and bug free.Speaking of bugs, we didn’t see many mosquitoes but we did see a good amount of bees, wasps and yellow jackets and there were traps setup throughout the campground so bring an epi pen if you’re allergic to any of them.We lost cell service just after the reservoir (T-Mobile) but my satellite communicator worked fairly well at the campground.There are dumpsters to take your trash just inside the entrance to the campground, which is a little annoying as you have to walk quite a ways to dump it, but there were also no critters hanging around the sites.Dog Creek campground is the type of campground where you setup your camper or RV and leave for the day to do other things. Whether it’s boating at Anderson Ranch, taking the ATV’s up into the mountains or try to find hiking trails. The campground itself is very pretty BUT it doesn’t offer much in terms of things to do while there. However, if you are looking for some peace and quiet, with very little noise from the outside world, it’s great.
August 31 · jedimasterkyle