Bureau of Land Management · Idaho

Upper Lake Creek Campground

Bureau of Land Management · Idaho, United States

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Cost
There are no fees associated with this area.
Restrooms
Yes
Elevation
9,065 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Phone
208-879-6200
Activities
Biking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Photography

About

BLM campground. Upper Lake Creek Trail begins at Herd Lake Overlook at the end of Herd Lake Road. The trailhead contains a parking area, vault toilet, and informational kiosk. There is no cell service at the trailhead or within the Wilderness Area.

The trail switch-backs into the mountains above Herd Lake on an old jeep road into the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness Area. If you are willing to make the trek to this isolated area, you may share the terrain with elk, antelope and the occasional red-tailed hawk.

The continues about five miles to a decommissioned campground that still has a maintained vault toilet, before continuing down another four miles to Sage Creek. The total trail across the Wilderness Area from Upper Lake Creek to Sage Creek is about nine miles long.

Stay limit: 14 Days.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January18°2°-19°30°11 of 11
February20°4°-21°36°11 of 11
March26°10°-2°48°11 of 11
April31°14°-4°47°11 of 11
May45°26°15°58°11 of 11
June58°37°21°74°9 of 11
July73°49°29°80°1 of 11
August71°48°33°79°0 of 11
September59°38°24°71°7 of 11
October43°22°-1°62°10 of 10
November31°14°-18°48°10 of 10
December19°4°-20°36°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-28. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.