Blue Creek (FR 499) in ID -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Idaho

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Blue Creek (FR 499) in ID

Idaho Panhandle NFs, Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District
2,721 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedMODERATE
VerizonWEAK
AT&TNONE
T-MobileUSABLE
StarlinkGOOD

A 9.5-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Kootenai County, ID.

Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 30 days. This rule applies May 1 to September 30 only.

All 9.5 miles in are maintained for passenger cars. Gravel the whole way in (9.5 miles). Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~130 ft on the downhill side. Little level ground alongside -- few of the stretches measured have a flat spot to pull onto. Winds through 8 switchbacks.

A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.0 miles off. Kelly Mountain stands 1,360 ft above the site, 2.3 miles northwest. Lonesome Creek runs 0.5 mi off. Night skies measure Bortle 3 -- a dark rural sky. The nearest town, Dalton Gardens, is 8.0 mi off.

September normals 4572°F, 1.4″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Fire restrictions

Set by Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?