Bureau of Land Management · Idaho
Bayhorse Campground
Bureau of Land Management · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 12
- Cost
- $10 per night Campsites are first come, first served
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 5,174 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
- Camping, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing, Photography, Boating
About
BLM campground. Tucked along the Salmon River at 5,400 feet in elevation, Bayhorse Campground offers a scenic and historic getaway just ten miles south of Challis on Highway 75. Named after the nearby Bayhorse Mining District, this quiet riverside retreat features 12 campsites perfect for anglers, history buffs, and outdoor explorers alike.
Fishing enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities here, with resident cutthroat and rainbow trout, steelhead, and mountain whitefish thriving in the clear waters of the Upper Salmon River. Beyond the river, a short drive west leads to Bayhorse Townsite ran by the Land of the Yankee Fork State Park, which showcases remnants of historic mines, offering a glimpse into Idaho’s rugged mining past. The campground also serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the Land of the Yankee Fork, rich in trails, interpretive sites, and striking mountain landscapes.
Campground Amenities: 12 first-come, first-served campsites with picnic tables & fire rings
Hiking trails & interpretive historic sites nearby
Know Before You Go: Limited cell service
Stay limit: 14 Days.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 15° | -5° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 33° | 16° | -10° | 49° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 40° | 23° | 11° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 46° | 29° | 10° | 62° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 59° | 39° | 29° | 72° | 5 of 11 |
| June | 71° | 49° | 34° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 86° | 60° | 43° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 84° | 59° | 45° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 49° | 37° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 57° | 36° | 15° | 76° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 45° | 28° | -10° | 61° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 15° | -6° | 47° | 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
- Deadman Hole Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 3 mi
- Big Bayhorse Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- East Fork Campground · Bureau of Land Management · 9 mi · 8 sites
- Challis Hot Springs State Park · Idaho State Parks · 10 mi · 68 sites
- Mill Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 11 mi
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.