Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
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.
Chemeketan Campground - Salmon River Headwaters
Chemeketan is a marvelously secluded group area that can accommodate up to 150 people and accepts reservations which can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or by calling (877)444-6777. It is located in a lodge pole pine forest near the Salmon river. At the base of Galena Summit on Hwy 75 take FS Rd 215 approximately 3 miles to the campground. Visitors can enjoy fishing for rainbow trout, westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, occasional hybrid cutbow and steelhead in the Salmon River. You can explore the Idaho Centennial Trail or admiring the marvelous views. This campground is reached via dirt road, however visitors must ford a stream before reaching the site. Trucks, RVs and cars with higher clearance should have no trouble crossing the stream. Individual campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis if the group sites are not reserved. There is no drinking water available at this site.
Before you go
Season
June – September
Reservations
Reservations accepted
Fees
Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and Information
Hours
This campground closes on September 21.
Restrictions
Maximum of 75 vehicles allowed at this site. Pets must be on a leash. All occupancy (includes developed/dispersed camping, boats, boat trailers, travel trailers, tents, etc): Occupancy limit is 10 days in a 30 day period within a 30 mile radius for all of SNRA. Campsites must be occupied the first night, and cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours. Motorized vehicles and bicycles are not allowed in any of the designated wilderness areas.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.