Bad Bear Campground

The numbers that decide it

Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero. See it on Recreation.gov

Bad Bear Campground

The Bad Bear Campground is located 48 miles northeast of Boise, Idaho, in a scenic Ponderosa pine forest along State Highway 21 at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Wildlife and summer wildflowers are abundant. Historic Idaho City is just 11 miles south. Mores Creek runs adjacent to the site, offering whitefish and rainbow trout fishing. Recreation State Highway 21, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, snakes along Mores Creek to Mores Creek Summit, Gold Fork, and Banner Ridge with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forest. Numerous trail opportunities are in the area, offering hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATV riding. In winter, the area becomes a playground for backcountry skiers and snowmobilers.

Before you go

Scenic drives that pass close

• Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway1 mi
• Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway11 mi
• Payette River Scenic Byway23 mi
• Lower Payette River Heritage Scenic Byway24 mi