Name: Cold Springs Campground
Cold Springs Campground is located near Lost Lake. It is not on the lake but one can drive or walk about a mile to access Lost Lake. This area is forested with some open hillsides. The trees in the campground are fairly young but do provide some shade and privacy.
Campsites: There are 30 tent / RV camping sites and a group site. Two of the sites are handicap accessible and are very nice.
Host on Site: Yes.
Water: Drinking water is available from a hand pump well. I checked it and found it was clear and the taste was Ok.
Garbage Services: No garbage services available so pack it out with you.
Restroom: There are vault style outhouses in Cold Springs Campground and another in the camping area near the boat ramp, and another near the dam.
Handicap Accessible: The campground is listed as handicap accessible and it does have 2 fully handicap accessible sites, and of course the toilets are also.
Firewood: Firewood is available from the camp host.
Pets: Pets on a leash only. I heard a dog was taken by wolves from the campground so use caution with your dogs. I have not verified this story.
Picnic Area: No established picnic area but most people we saw were fishing along the lake.
Recreation: Fishing, swimming, canoeing, bird and wildlife watching, four wheeling and much more.
Fishing: Lost Lake is a "Family Fishing Water", check the regulations. It is stocked with trout several times each year.
Boating: There is a small boat ramp and dock at the lake.
Swimming: Families swim in Lost Lake during the hot summer days but there are no life guards.
Wildlife: Watch out for bear. We saw a deer right in the campground.
Additional Camping Opportunities: There are at least four areas around Lost Lake open to privative camping with vault style outhouses nearby. The boat ramp is at one of these. We found far more people in these sites then in Cold Springs Campground.
Phone service: No pay phone and we did not have cell phone reception.
Nearby Services: Services such as pop, ice, gas, propane, food, etc are available at New Meadows to the north or Council, Idaho to the south.
RV Dumping Site: The RV Dumping Station at Cold Springs Campground was blocked off in June of 2017.
Location/Driving instructions: From Council, Idaho travel north on Hwy 95 for 16 miles to a left turn on Lost Valley Res Rd. It's 2.1 miles to a fork, take the left road for 1.2 miles to Cold Springs Campground entrance.
Coordinates: 44.949775,-116.438399
Elevation: 4830 Feet
Reviewed Date: June 2010
Fees And Reservations: 13 of the sites plus the group sties may be reserved through recreation.gov. As of April 2017 the fee schedule was $10.00 for a single site, $15.00 for a double site and $20.00-30.00 for the group sites.
This information is accurate as of the date of the review.
