roadtripper6705901

This is an older, primitive, 4-site, old-fashioned Forest Service campground 9 miles up dirt roads from the Lima exit. I'd not recommend it for large RV's, but it's a great place to get away. We stayed in a small Aliner trailer. We picked the uppermost site, which required a lot of leveling, but had great views of the Lima Peaks and Mt. Garfield. None of the sites are very level. There was only one other camper at the time, and I doubt it's ever full. Site #3 was so overgrown it took some time for us to find it, so I doubt it's ever used. Also, there are level, dispersed campsites along the last mile there that could be used, although without pit toilets. You must bring your own water. The campground is free, and the only services are old, wooden pit toilets, which were in good repair and had paper. There is good hiking nearby on trail #40. The trail head is at the end of the Middle Sheep Creek road, which forks off a mile or so on the road back towards Lima. This is high, arid, mostly open country with great views and few visitors. The nearest cell service is about 8 miles back towards Lima. There is a good air ambulance service out of Idaho, which we had to use when my wife, an experienced hiker, fell and injured her back 2 miles up the trail. They flew her to the excellent Dillon hospital & she's now fully recovered. In spite of that, she still wants to go back to East Creek!

We didn't stay here, as we were already set up at Lower Big Lost River. However, we checked it out and spoke with the camp host. It's clean and convenient, and the east part of the park is treed. We'd certainly consider staying here on a return visit. To book a spot, she said, go to the city's web page http://mackayidaho-city.com/home-3/
Here's the deal, according to the website:
Park is closed on Tuesday and Wedensday for maintenance and watering. Camping in the City Tourist Park is free for TWO (2) days and TWO (2) nights on a first come first served basis. NOTE: a spot you select may be reserved by someone else during those two days and two nights which would require you as a nonreservation visitor to vacate that spot.

PLEASE CHECK WITH CAMP HOST BEFORE SELECTING A SPOT
CHECK OUT TIME IS 10:00 A.M.
To ensure that you would not have to move during your stay, it is recommended that you reserve your camp spot by using the web page. Reservation can be made for up to five (5) consecutive days. No fee is charged for the camp site, However a $35.00 fee is charged for using the web page to make the reservation, posting of reserved signs and maintenance.

This is a fine community campsite just west of Wisdom, near the west shore of the Big Hole River. Even though I've come to Wisdom for over 60 years, I never tire of the ever-shifting views. It's very informal, and there is room for at least 10 rigs. Instead of beating up our RV on the drive to any of the lakes in the area, we prefer to camp here and drive there in our pickup. A number of bow hunters were camped here when we stayed in late Sept., but we still found several spots for our friends and us on a Sunday.
There's no electric, sewer, or water hookup here. I didn't notice a water hydrant, but didn't look for one as we carried enough. There's a little highway noise, but it's not a busy road. The camp features a toilet and a small clubhouse with free internet (unsecured), plus picnic tables and fire pits. We could get no Verizon signal. There is Verizon service in Jackson, about 18 miles south, so you can check your messages while in the hot springs pool.
The American Legion has provided a great facility here for visitors to use. There is no fee, but we urge campers to make a generous donation. They deserve it!
A tip for those wishing to fish: late in the season the river is often closed to fishing here, and it's not posted in the campground. Check with the Hook & Horn Trading Post on the north side of the highway in Wisdom. They keep track of the regulations.

We stayed here in 2012 and had a good stay. However, all the online references say it's permanently closed. It's no longer shown on Google Maps and no phone number or other information is shown on any other sites. If it's closed, should be removed from Campendium.