Lower Penstemon Campground

in Sawtooth National Forest

The numbers that decide it

Longest rig
30 ft
Sites
7
Electric hookups
Not published
Pull-through sites
No
Paved access
No
Accessible sites
Not published
Driveway grade
Not published
Bear boxes
Not published
Campfires
Not published
Shade
Yes
Group sites
Not published

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

Lower Penstemon Campground

Lower Penstemon Campground is located 27 miles south of Hansen, ID on Rock Creek Road/County Rd. G3. The campground is located next to the Fourth Fork of Rock Creek (the main fork). There are 7 single family/individual sites in the campground. Camping fees are $8.00 per night. Sites can be reserved through Recreation.gov. Individual sites reserved through Recreation.gov will be posted. Sites that are not reserved are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Be sure a site is not reserved before you occupy. First-come first-serve customers must pay within 1/2 hour of occupying the campsite. Some sites are ADA accessible. Lower Penstemon is generally open from late May through October. Picnic tables, fire-rings, and 2 double vault toilets are available. The campground is well suited for medium sized motor homes, trailers and tent camping. This area is popular in summer for trout fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching. OHV vehicles can be use to enter or exit the campground. Recreational riding within the campground is not permitted. Many miles of ATV/ORV trails can be accessed to the south. Consult the MVUM (Motor Vehicle Use Map) for roads and trails open to your type of ORV (ATV, Motorcycle, etc.) No water is available at this site.

Before you go

Season

May 15-20

Reservations

Reservations accepted

Fees

This is a fee campground. Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance.

Restrictions

Occupancy : The following act is prohibited within the Minidoka Ranger District: Pursuant to 36 CFR 262.58 (a), camping in any area including a developed recreation site or an undeveloped/dispersed recreation site for more than 14 (fourteen) days in a 28 (twenty-eight) day period. A camper or a group of persons camping together must move off of National Forest lands within the Minidoka Ranger District for a minimum of 14 days after camping for 14 days. Campers who remain longer than 14 consecutive days and/or camp more than 14 days within a 28 day period may receive violation notices and fines under the authority described under Special Order Number: 0414-01-028. For more information contact the Minidoka Ranger District Office in Burley, ID—208-678-0430. No Horses are allowed in the campground. Horse camping is provided in Loop E of Porcupine Springs, approximately 5 miles south (up canyon) from Lower Penstemon. Limit 2 vehicles (autos) per site. Vehicles must be parked on gravel spurs provided. Do not park on the road; do not block traffic.

Scenic drives that pass close

Make it a night on a better road

Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.