Salmon National Forest

About Salmon National Forest

Salmon Challis National Forest covers more than 3,500 square kilometers in the western part of Washington State. The country is rugged and remote, offering adventure, solitude and breathtaking landscapes. Within the boundaries of this forest lies the largest national forest of its kind in North America with over 2.7 million hectares.

This area is home to the highly sought-after Challis National Forest salmon, one of the world's most popular fishing destinations. The forest also includes a number of other national forests, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge.

Campsites in the Leadore district are limited to 14 days, and the Wiesensee campsite is the only one with a fee. Facilities include a fireplace, picnic tables, water, showers, toilets, campfires and showers. Pets must be kept on a leash at all campsites, but pets must not be left outside the campsite for more than 30 minutes.

Bear Valley Equestrian Campground is located on the west side of Bear Valley Road, north of Bear River Trail. Turn left at Bear Creek Road and at the intersection of the trail turn right onto Bear Canyon Road, then left again onto the road to the campsite.

Turn left at Bear Creek Road and at the junction of the road turn right onto Bear Canyon Road, then left again onto the road to the campsite. Continue to Bear Valley Lower Equestrian Campground and turn left onto Bear River Trail, north of Bear Creek Trail and right onto the campground.

At the end of the road is the Trailhead Campground, 1.5 km away, where there is a water tank and trailer rails. Hawley Creek Lower Campgrounds is located 8 miles southeast of Leadore and the Trailhead campground 3 miles north.

Follow Highway 29 east of Leadore for one mile and turn right onto the county dirt road and follow the road for four miles east to Hawley Creek. Drive north on the highway for 3 miles to Trailhead Campground, then turn left onto a roundabout, follow this for another 4 miles and continue east on this road.

Big Eightmile Campground is located at the intersection of Timber Creek Reservoir Lower and Hawley Creek Upper Campgrounds. After a quarter mile, turn left, turn right onto Timber Creek Reservator Lower, walk or follow one mile to the fork and turn left. One mile further on, you will find Hawly Creek upper camp on the left, the compound about a mile from this junction. Follow this road for about a mile and a half, then turn left at a fork in the road and continue for another mile and a half to the left onto the county dirt road. On top of the hill, east of Hawleys Creek, is the Reservator Reservoir, and at this point you are on the Reservatory Creek Camp Groundground.

Meadow Lake Campground is located 15 miles south of Leadore. To get there, drive 17 miles and turn right onto a gravel road that goes 2,080 feet up to your campsite, then turn left onto the county dirt road and drive another 10 miles to the campsite.

The campsite was completely renovated in summer 2003 and now has a disabled access area with picnic area, picnic tables, water fountain and children's playground.