BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND campground
FAIRFIELD, Idaho

BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND

Mixed (reservable + first-come)
31 campsites
Open in maps

31

Total Campsites

Campground

19

Reservable Sites

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

30

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND

Overview Baumgartner Campground is situated alongside the South Fork Boise River, 11 miles from Featherville, Idaho. The area offers excellent fishing, hiking and off-road vehicle riding opportunities. Baumgartner Hot Springs is located within the campground, where visitors can enjoy soaking in the pool while admiring the scenic, natural setting. Recreation The campground's main draw is Baumgartner Hot Springs. The 101-degree water is piped into a large concrete soaking pool. The pool is open during daylight hours and is drained and refilled daily. The pool is pressure washed Tuesday mornings and will not open until around noon. The South Fork Boise River provides great fishing for wild and stocked rainbow trout. Younger campers love splashing in the cool mountain waters. An accessible path leads to a bench overlooking the swimming/fishing hole on thenorth end of the campground. The John Baumgartner Gravesite is a short walk from the hot springs. A 1/4-mile interpretive nature trail begins at the hot springs and meanders up the hill through the forest. Kelley Creek/Iron Mountain, Virginia Gulch, Willow Creek, Van Gulch and Big Water Trails all begin in the area. Ponderosa Trail Learner's Loop is located approximately 1 mile to the west of the campground and offers beginner level trails for young ATV and off-road motorcycle riders. ATVs, UTVs and off-road motorcycles cannot be ridden within the campground. You may trailer them in and out of the campground but the trailer must fit within your camping spur. Facilities The campground's main draw is Baumgartner Hot Springs. The 101-degree water is piped into a large concrete soaking pool. The pool is open during daylight hours and is drained and refilled daily. The pool is pressure washed Tuesday mornings and will not open until around noon. The South Fork Boise River provides great fishing for wild and stocked rainbow trout. Younger campers love splashing in the cool mountain waters. An accessible path leads to a bench overlooking the swimming/fishing hole on thenorth end of the campground. The John Baumgartner Gravesite is a short walk from the hot springs. A 1/4-mile interpretive nature trail begins at the hot springs and meanders up the hill through the forest. Kelley Creek/Iron Mountain, Virginia Gulch, Willow Creek, Van Gulch and Big Water Trails all begin in the area. Ponderosa Trail Learner's Loop is located approximately 1 mile to the west of the campground and offers beginner level trails for young ATV and off-road motorcycle riders. ATVs, UTVs and off-road motorcycles cannot be ridden within the campground. You may trailer them in and out of the campground but the trailer must fit within your camping spur. Natural Features The campground is nestled beneath towering ponderosa pines at an elevation of 5,200 feet. The gentle South Fork Boise River runs along the site, offering beautiful scenery and recreation. A variety of wildlife is commonly seen in and around the campground, including deer and moose. Nearby Attractions Numerous hiking, biking, horseback and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the surrounding area. Kelley Creek Flats Recreation Area is adjacent with additional designated dispersed site camping and livestock corrals near Kelley Creek. The historic Iron Mountain Lookout is located to the south of the campground. It is approximately a 12 mile one-way trip along the Kelley Creek trail which is open to vehicles 50" or less in width.

  • 31 total campsites listed.
  • 19 reservable sites plus first-come options.
  • 30 accessible campsites listed.
  • Most common site type: standard nonelectric (29).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND photo 2
BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND photo 3

Our Take

What makes BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND special

Baumgartner Campground is one of those rare places where you can soak in natural hot springs, sleep under the pines, and fish a mountain river all in the same afternoon. Situated along the South Fork Boise River about 11 miles east of Featherville, Idaho, the campground sits in a forested corridor of the Boise National Forest where the river bends through a narrow canyon of granite and evergreen. The star attraction is the nearby Baumgartner Hot Springs, a developed soaking pool fed by geothermal water and maintained by the Forest Service — it is free, open to all, and utterly relaxing after a day on the trail. The river itself offers solid fishing for rainbow and bull trout, and the surrounding forest is laced with trails for hiking and mountain biking. Sites are shaded by tall conifers and spaced along the riverbank, offering the soothing soundtrack of moving water day and night. The campground is popular for good reason, so summer weekends — especially the Fourth of July stretch — fill early. Reservations are strongly recommended from June through September, which is the prime season. Shoulder months can be cool but rewarding, with fewer visitors and golden fall color beginning to creep through the aspens and cottonwoods. Pack a swimsuit and a fishing rod, and you will have everything you need.

Campsite Inventory

31 sites to choose from

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

29total sites

17

Reservable

29

Accessible

GROUP RV AREA NONELECTRIC

1total sites

1

Reservable

0

Accessible

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC

1total sites

1

Reservable

1

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

ACCESSIBLE PIT TOILETS

Accessible Pit Toilets

ACCESSIBLE VAULT TOILETS

Accessible Vault Toilets

Accessibility

Yes

CAMPFIRE RINGS

Campfire Rings

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

Double, Quad, Single

Check-in time

2:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

Condition Rating

Good

DRINKING WATER (PEAK SEASON)

Drinking Water (peak season)

Double Driveway

Yes

Driveway entry

Back-In, Pull-through

Driveway Grade

Slight

Driveway length (ft)

24, 35, 36, 38

Driveway surface

Paved

Grills/Fire Ring

Yes

HOST

Host

Location Rating

Good, Prime

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

Phone

208-764-3202

Getting There

Take I-84 to Exit 95. Go east on State Highway 20 to mile marker 127.5. Turn north and follow signs to Featherville. Once at Featherville, head east on Forest Road 227 for 11 miles on dirt road. At Baumgartner Campground sign, turn right and cross the bridge to the campground, on the left hand side.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND.

How do reservations work for BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND?

Reservation availability for BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND?

BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (29), GROUP RV AREA NONELECTRIC (1), GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC (1).

Where is BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND located?

BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND is in Idaho near FAIRFIELD. Coordinates: 43.6125, -115.0803.

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