How much does camping cost at Big Elk?

Camping fees at Big Elk range from $40-$60/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Big Elk first-come first-served or reservation?

Big Elk accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Big Elk before I book?

Yes! Big Elk has 26 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Big Elk?

Big Elk is open May 23 - September 6. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Big Elk?

Big Elk does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Big Elk?

Fire policies at Big Elk: Campfires allowed, fire rings provided. Firewood must be purchased locally.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Big Elk have?

Big Elk has 3 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Big Elk?

Pets are not allowed at Big Elk. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Big Elk?

Big Elk offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Big Elk?

Popular activities at Big Elk include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Big Elk

4.32

88 reviews

TARGHEE, Idaho, USA

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$40 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Open May 23 to Septe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Aud & Di Campground Services Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Only 3 sites — this campground fills fast. Set up a free alert.

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

5,700 ft

Price

$40 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Open May 23 to Septe...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Aud & Di Campground Services Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Big Elk

$40.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Group sites cost $60 per night, with an additional $40 per night for weekends. No additional discounts or taxes were explicitly mentioned.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$60.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(208) 270-0150 OR 541-351-1182

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What Campers Say

4.32

Recommended

Based on 88 reviews

80 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanspacioussites

"Reviews for Big Elk Campground are mixed, with praise for its natural beauty, clean facilities, and recreational opportunities tempered by criticisms of some campground hosts and sporadic issues with campsite signage. Many visitors highlight the area's quietude and privacy provided by thick foliage."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

TARGHEE, Idaho, USA

Big Elk

TARGHEE, Idaho, USA

Nearby places

Idaho Falls (56 miles, approximately 1 hour)

Nearby supplies

A gas station located nearby. Idaho Falls, 56 miles away, provides broader supply options.

Driving directionsFrom Idaho Falls, Idaho, travel approximately 56 miles on Highway 26 to Palisades Dam. Once at the dam, continue 6 miles east on Highway 26, then turn left onto Forest Road 262 (Big Elk Creek Road) and travel 2 miles to the campground.

Roads and parking spurs are gravel. Travel includes Highway 26 and a narrow dirt road with a steep drop off on the south side, requiring caution. Seasonal variations may not be explicitly noted.

Best Time to Camp at Big Elk

May through September brings daytime highs of 65-85°F and cool nights around 35-50°F. These temperatures make Big Elk Creek and Palisades Reservoir comfortable for swimming, boating, and trout fishing. Wildflowers peak in summer. Holiday weekends from late June through early August draw moderate crowds, but midweek visits stay peaceful. Autumn turns the aspens gold. Winter occasionally brings snow.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open May–Sept; summer highs 65–85°F, prime for hiking, swimming, boating and fishing.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 23 - September 6. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 23 to September 6 annually. Closed seasons between September 6 and May 22.
Current Alerts: No active warnings or alerts explicitly mentioned.

About Big Elk

Big Elk Campground sits along Big Elk Creek at 5,700 feet in Caribou-Targhee National Forest, offering 3 group sites that accommodate between 50 and 160 people. Thick foliage creates privacy between sites despite close spacing. Fees run $40-60 per night, and the campground provides vault toilets, potable water, and bear lockers.

Big Elk Campground offers a mix of group and individual camping opportunities. While group sites are available for reservation, individual sites are first-come, first-served. Accommodations range from tent camping to spaces for trailers.

Weather and SeasonsMay through September brings daytime highs of 65-85°F and cool nights around 35-50°F. These temperatures make Big Elk Creek and Palisades Reservoir comfortable for swimming, boating, and trout fishing. Wildflowers peak in summer. Holiday weekends from late June through early August draw moderate crowds, but midweek visits stay peaceful. Autumn turns the aspens gold. Winter occasionally brings snow.

ElevationPerched at 5,700 feet on a gently sloping hillside, Big Elk Campground offers the best of mountain camping—high enough to escape summer's heat but accessible enough for comfortable camping. The elevation creates a natural amphitheater where aspens and Douglas firs provide dappled shade throughout the day, while open meadows invite stargazing when darkness falls. This sweet spot in the mountains delivers crisp morning air, comfortable afternoons, and that special quality of light only found at altitude.

Natural Features and SceneryBig Elk Creek runs through the campground, creating a constant creek soundtrack. The hillside terrain supports aspens, Douglas firs, and sagebrush meadows. Summer wildflowers cover the slopes in purples, yellows, and reds. Palisades Reservoir sits nearby, offering open water for boating and swimming. The vegetation is dense enough that Ben Johnson noted "lots of cover between the sites that manages to deliver privacy even with campsite neighbors so close."

Geological RegionRising from the banks of Big Elk Creek, this hillside haven at 5,700 feet showcases the dramatic geology of the mountain West. The campground's unique position reveals layers of natural history—from the ancient bedrock that forms the surrounding hills to the more recent deposits that support today's vibrant ecosystem of aspens, Douglas firs, and sagebrush meadows. Summer wildflowers carpet the slopes, their roots finding purchase in soil enriched by centuries of seasonal cycles, creating a geological tapestry that changes with every season.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in time not explicitly stated.

Check-out

Check-out time not explicitly stated.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 nights per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Group sites can accommodate 50-160 people.

Groups

Group sites include A-1 (160 people) and B-1/B-2 (50 people each). They feature picnic tables, campfire rings, grills, and in some cases, a picnic shelter.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutThree designated group sites (A-1, B-1, B-2) plus individual first-come, first-served spots. Some campers reported unmarked sites causing confusion during arrival. Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and grill.

Reservation PlatformsReservations available through Recreation.gov.

Walk-in AvailabilityIndividual sites available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Even on busy nights, multiple spots may be available, as mentioned in user reviews.

Cancellation PolicyA $10 cancellation fee applies. Late cancellations incur the first-night recreation fee loss. No modifications or cancellations allowed post-check-in.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly detailed, but group sites and facilities like water spigots and picnic tables are available.

Site SizeGroup sites accommodate up to 160 people (A-1) or 50 people (B-1 and B-2). Individual sites are generally smaller and suitable for single tents or trailers.

PrivacyLots of cover between the sites that manages to deliver privacy even with campsite neighbors so close," according to Ben Johnson. Thick foliage offers visual separation.

Total Campsites3 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy and space, group site B-2 is recommended. Avoid single spots if camping with fewer vehicles, as they are sometimes misclassified as group sites with double or triple charges.

Need help booking Big Elk?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

The campground features a diverse range of recreational activities. Visitors can explore the Big Elk Creek Trail, which offers hiking, biking, and horseback riding through a canyon filled with wildflowers and scenic views. Fishing in Big Elk Creek and the Palisades Reservoir is popular, with opportunities to catch cutthroat trout and Kokanee salmon. Canoeing, swimming, and paddleboarding are frequently enjoyed at the reservoir. Wildlife viewing in the area is common, with sightings of birds and other fauna.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe dirt road leading to the campground has a steep drop-off on the south side, requiring caution. Wildlife advisories are in effect.

Active AlertsNo active warnings or alerts explicitly mentioned.

Food Storage RequiredBear boxes available, particularly useful for food storage in wildlife-heavy areas.

Fire PolicyCampfires allowed, fire rings provided. Firewood must be purchased locally.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No specific quiet hours explicitly mentioned.

Emergency ServicesEmergency services available in Idaho Falls, approximately 56 miles away.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is provided, but no specific details about recycling facilities are mentioned.

Water FeaturesBig Elk Creek runs adjacent to the campground. Palisades Reservoir is accessible across the road.

Camp HostHosts sell firewood and maintain clean restrooms. Mixed reviews highlight variability in host behavior.

Weather at Big Elk

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

88 reviews

Recommended

Big Elk is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for Big Elk Campground are mixed, with praise for its natural beauty, clean facilities, and recreational opportunities tempered by criticisms of some campground hosts and sporadic issues with campsite signage. Many visitors highlight the area's quietude and privacy provided by thick foliage.

Review Summaries

Based on 88 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors frequently appreciate the clean vault toilets, beautiful surroundings, and abundant wildlife. Group sites are noted for their spaciousness and amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables.

Based on 88 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative reviews cite rude behavior from some camp hosts and confusion caused by unclear campsite markings. Noise from other campers, including dogs and generators, is occasionally mentioned.

Based on 88 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Plan to arrive early to secure first-come, first-served individual sites. Bring extra cash for firewood. "Be cautious when selecting a campsite, as some double or triple sites may incur higher fees,"...

Based on 88 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months attract most visitors, especially families and groups, who enjoy the area's hiking, swimming, and fishing. However, drought conditions can impact reservoir activities.

Based on 88 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Nice campground, pretty area... Tons of birds including a multitude of friendly little hummingbirds." - Clea Conners. "The bathrooms were so clean and the campground was quiet." - Annalyn J.

Based on 88 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Group Site B-2 is praised for its proximity to a creek and amenities like water spigots. Site A-1 is described as ideal for large gatherings due to its spacious layout and picnic shelter.

Based on 88 reviews