French Creek

FS USDA Forest Service · CASCADE, ID · Primitive

Seasonal operation. This campground is not open year-round. Likely open now (September).

Conditions

Road Access Gravel
Driveway Surface Gravel
Season Seasonal Closure
Campfires Not recorded
Elevation 4,850 ft
Max RV Length 45 ft
Boondock Access Not recorded

The managing agency hasn't published campfire rules for this campground. The description and directions below often mention it — and it's worth calling the agency before a long drive.

Features

Rig Size Back In Only
Style Primitive Potable Water Vault Toilet Reservable

Campground Stats

Total Sites21
Sites Accepting RVs20
Overnight Sites21
Max RV Length45 ft
Back-In Sites20
SurfaceGravel

Location

44.5283333, -116.1083333 · P.O. BOX 696 , CASCADE , ID 83611

Description

Overview

French Creek Campground is located next to scenic Lake Cascade in west-central Idaho. It is near the town of Donnelly, at an elevation of 4,850 feet. Boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are popular activities in this scenic region.

Recreation

Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. Many hiking and biking trails are in the area as well.

Facilities

The campground is divided into two sections of campsites. Some are located on the east side of West Mountain Road, closer to the lakeshore and with beautiful lake views. Other sites are on the west side of the road, on a hillside above the lake. A few of these sites have partial lake views. Some also have stairs from the parking spur to the campsite.

Campsites are equipped with a table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided, but there is no electricity at the campground. Roads and parking spurs within the facility are gravel.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the western shore of Lake Cascade and on the banks of French Creek. A forest of mixed conifers covers the campground, providing ample shade. Thimbleberry and huckleberry plants are abundant throughout the upper reaches of the campground.

A wide variety of wildlife makes its home around the lake. Waterfowl and songbirds are abundant, as well as pelicans and bald eagles.

Directions

From Boise, Idaho, travel north on Highway 55 for 85 miles to Cascade. Turn west on Old State Highway and go a half-mile to Lakeshore Drive. Turn south and travel 3 miles to West Mountain Road. Turn west and follow the road 5 miles to the campground.

Activities

BOATING CAMPING FISHING HIKING WATER SPORTS WILDLIFE VIEWING

Details

Phone208-382-7400
ADA AccessN
ReservableYes

Nearby Campgrounds

Big Flat 7.7 mi · FS · 14 sites
Renwyck Creek Trailhead 11.8 mi · FS
Cabin Creek 11.9 mi · FS · 20 sites
Amanita 12.0 mi · FS · 11 sites
Rainbow Point 12.2 mi · FS · 12 sites
Sagehen Creek 13.8 mi · FS · 9 sites