Pine Flats Campground

Signs and Info

Campsites

Recreation

Scenery

Name: Pine Flats Campground

Pine Flats Campground is on the north side of the South Fork of the Payette River. It is set in a mature forest of ponderosa pine trees on a gentle slope. The roads and driveways are paved. Joy, the campground hostess, mentioned there has been a "campground fox". Keep your eyes open and you may see it!

Campsites: There are 25 tent / RV sites, each having a picnic table and fire ring with a grill. The forest offers partial shade and a little privacy.

Host on Site: Yes, Joy, friendly and helpful.

Water: There is a well with a hand pump which offers potable water. I tasted it and it is ok.

Garbage Services: Surprisingly, there is no garbage service in Pine Flats Campground. You will need to pack it out with you.

Restroom: Vault style outhouses which were clean and well stocked.

Handicap Accessible: Yes, the outhouses are handicap accessible and the roads and driveways are paved. The picnic tables are not handicap accessible.

Firewood: There is no firewood available.

Pets: Pets allowed but only on a leash.

Picnic Area: There is a day use area which has more to do with hiking to the hot spring than picnicking.

Recreation: Activities here include, camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting, kayaking, wildlife watching and photography.

Fishing: The Payette and Deadwood Rivers offer trout fishing and there is a salmon run on the Deadwood. Check the regulations.

Boating: Boating here means rafting or kayaking. There is a "put in" upstream at Deadwood Campground.

Swimming: Wading yes, swimming no.

Wildlife: Wildlife in this area include deer, elk, bear, wolves and birds. There have not been any problems with the wolves as of yet, but do use caution with your food and garbage as the bear may pay you a night time visit if you don't.

Additional Camping Opportunities: Free primitive camping may be found along the river but is limited as the river is set down in a steep canyon at this point. Check out our reviews for Hot Springs Campground and Deadwood Campground.

Phone service: No cell or land line service here. The nearest is down stream at Garden Valley or upstream at Lowman. Lowman is only 4.8 miles east of the campground.

Nearby Services: Garden Valley is the closest location for the items you forgot or items you just ran out of. Gas, propane, ice, candy, pop, mosquito spray.....

RV Dumping Site: Nearest is at Horseshoe Bend, Idaho.

Location/Driving instructions: Travel 17.8 miles east on the Banks/Lowman Rd from Garden Valley, Idaho. The campground is on the right side of the road. Or from Lowman, Idaho, travel west on the Banks/Lowman Rd for 4.8 miles and the campground will be on your left.

Coordinates: 44.064040,-115.682211

Elevation: 3715 Feet

Reviewed Date: July 2010

Fees And Reservations: These sites may be reserved at recreation.gov. The host indicated the campgrounds were usually full on major weekends so reserve yours in advance. For 2010, a double site was $30.00 per night, a single was $15.00. Day use or your extra vehicle was another $5.00.

This information is accurate as of the date of the review.