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Camping · Idaho

Big Elk Campground & Group Area

USFS · Campground · Fee

Fast facts

Cost
Fee charged
Managed by
USFS
Type
Campground
Hours
Open 24 hours/day
Reservations
recreation.gov
Coordinates
43.3223, -111.1164
Last verified
September 18, 2026
43.3223° N · 111.1164° W
Last verifiedSeptember 18, 2026

About this place

Big Elk Campground is situated along Big Elk Creek on a quiet arm of the beautiful Palisades Reservoir, just 55 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the scenic Big Elk Creek Trail.

From the USFS.Official page

Is Big Elk Campground & Group Area free?

No. Big Elk Campground & Group Area charges a fee. It is managed by the USFS. Sites are reservable through recreation.gov.

How do I get to Big Elk Campground & Group Area?

From Idaho Falls, Idaho, travel approximately 56 miles on Highway 26 to Palisades Dam. Once at the dam, continue 6 miles east on Highway 26, then turn left onto Forest Road 262 (Big Elk Creek Road) and travel 2 miles to the campground.

Nearby

No other services within 50 mi on the record.

SourceData from the USFS. Last synced September 18, 2026. Community reports and photos are submitted by travelers and are not verified by the agency.

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Disclaimer TerrainKit is an independent product with no affiliation with, sponsorship from or endorsement by the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service or any other public agency. Site and access information is compiled from publicly available sources and can go out of date without notice. Confirm current rules, closures, fire restrictions and stay limits with the managing ranger district or field office before you camp.
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47.5053° N · 111.3008° W