campgrounds.fyiIndependent · federal campgrounds · no paid placements
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USFSSalmon-Challis National Forest · Idaho

Iron Lake Campground

Eight campsites with picnic tables and fire rings are along the shores of this high alpine lake.
Sites0all reservable
Elev.8,845ft
Comf.Jul-Aug2 months
Max rigtents
Electricnonesites
From Idaho Falls5h07real road time
The honest read
Synthesized from
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27

At 8,845 ft, Iron Lake Campground has a 2-month comfortable window (Jul-Aug). Winter nights average around 4°F, so the shoulder seasons turn cold fast. Within about 4 miles: 1 peak, lake or river access.

The campground at a glance

01 · CHARACTER
QuietCoolRoomyShadeRV-fitReserv.

Reads strongest on cool nights and quiet. Softest on quiet.

Six axes, each scored relative to every other federal campground in the region: quiet (miles to a major road), cool (elevation), roomy (average site spacing), shade, RV-fit (longest rig), and how reservable it is. All six come from data, nothing hand-tuned.

When to go

02 · CLIMATE
JFMAMJJASOND
avg highavg lowfrost-freedriest · Nov
Jul-Aug
Comfortable window: nights stay above 35°F, days below 90°F.
74%
Of summer weekend-days are dry.
Jun 25
Last spring frost; first fall frost Aug 21.
41°F
Average July low. Bring a fleece.

Getting there

03 · ACCESS
01
Idaho Falls
207 mi
5h07
02
Boise
250 mi
6h54
03
Coeur d'Alene
352 mi
8h05
By drive time
Idaho Falls · 5h07Boise · 6h54Coeur d'Alene · 8h05Camp

Routed road time (OSRM). Nearest major highway 10.9 mi away.

What's within four miles

05 · TRAILS · PEAKS · WATER

Trails & Peaks

Peaks
1

Water & Access

Lake / river access
yes
To nearest major road
10.9 mi
Method

We synthesize public data layers: RIDB and Recreation.gov facility and site records, Open-Meteo climate normals, OpenStreetMap roads, trails, and water, OSRM drive times, and USGS elevation. We take no bookings, no ads, and no paid placements. Independence is the entire point.

Check availability on Recreation.gov →