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Calamity Campground in Idaho
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Calamity Campground

Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho

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As of October 2026, Calamity Campground is a campground in Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho with 21 campsites. Calamity Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Calamity Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Calamity Campground is located at 43.3278ยฐ N, 111.2150ยฐ W.
people allowed on each site
8

Calamity Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Campsites at Calamity Campground

  • Standard 21

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Mountain ยท Access: Gravel road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, biking, wildlife, photography, offroad, horse riding.

All sites at Calamity Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleeps
A-01AStandard8
A-02AStandard8
A-03AStandard8
A-04AStandard8
A-05AStandard8
A-06AStandard8
A-08AStandard8
A-09AStandard8
A-10AStandard8
A-13AStandard8
A-14AStandard8
A-15AStandard8
B-02BStandard8
B-03BStandard8
B-04BStandard8
B-05BStandard8
B-06BStandard8
B-08BStandard8
C-01CALAStandard8
C-02CALAStandard8
C-03CALAStandard8

About Calamity Campground

Overview

Calamity Campground is located along the Snake River drainage at the north end of beautiful Palisades Reservoir at an elevation of 5,700 feet, just 55 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Visitors enjoy boating, water skiing, fishing and canoeing.

Recreation

Palisades Reservoir offers excellent boating, water skiing, swimming and canoeing. Lake and shore fishing are very popular here as well, with wild and stocked cutthroat trout as the predominate species. Kokanee salmon, brown and Mackinaw trout can also be found. A boat ramp and large parking area are located on-site.

The Palisades Creek Trail begins nearby, leading hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders to beautiful Upper Palisades Lake and expansive views of Swan Valley.

Facilities

The campground offers several campsites on three loops. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Some sites have a few stairs from the parking spur to the site pad.

Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided, but there is no electricity. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on a hillside above Palisades Reservoir, affording scenic views from many sites. A mixed forest of lodgepole pine, spruce, fir, aspen and maple trees partially shade the campground. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (541) 351-1182.

Nearby Attractions

Big Elk Creek Trail, for hiking, biking and horseback riding, begins at nearby Big Elk Campground and meanders up a beautiful canyon brimming with wildflowers, towering trees and views of the surrounding mountains.

Swan Valley and the Snake River offer more great fishing and boating opportunities, as well as rafting, canoeing and numerous trails for hiking, biking, horseback and ATV riding. Fall Creek Falls is 20 miles away, and the Fall Creek area has hundreds of miles of such trails.

Rules and notices at Calamity Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Calamity Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Wildlife Caution

Idaho OHV Safety Message

No trailers allowed in Loop C

A $8 fee for extra vehicles will be collected at the campground per day

ATVs/OHVs can be used only to enter and exit the campground

Click here for more information on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Check-in Time is 2:00pm and Check-out time is 12:00pm

Calamity Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Calamity Campground?

Calamity Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 21 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Calamity Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Calamity Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Calamity Campground have?

Calamity Campground has 21 campsites.

More campgrounds in Caribou-Targhee National Forest

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All 48 Caribou-Targhee National Forest campgrounds

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