USDA Forest Service · Idaho

Poverty Flat

USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
Sites
9
Hookups
4 no hookups
Season
April 15 to October 31
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
4,242 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
POVERTY FLAT CG (NFSR 50229) · asphalt · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
Payette National Forest
Phone
N/A

1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

Located along side the South Fork Salmon River, this paved campground offers 10 campsites, including 4 walk in tent sites.

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.

If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Recreation

The campground serves as take-out for those floating the South Fork of the Salmon River from Goat Creek. Serves as the trailhead for an extensive trail system. Many loop hikes are possible from here, of varying lengths and difficulties. Open to those on foot, horses, mountain bikes, and trail bikes. Fishing in the river.

Facilities

Fire rings, hitching rails, toilet, drinking water, pack in/pack out. Please pack out all your trash. No hook-ups.

Nearby Attractions

The South Fork of the Salmon River is a highly popular area of the Forest and is one of the earlier areas to be snow-free in the spring. Several campgrounds and dispersed campsites can be found along the South Fork Road (FS Rd #674). The southern-most 7 miles of the South Fork Road are on the Boise National Forest.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January37°23°0°49°11 of 11
February37°24°-2°50°10 of 11
March44°29°12°60°10 of 11
April47°32°18°70°10 of 11
May56°37°29°76°4 of 11
June73°48°35°88°0 of 11
July86°58°44°96°0 of 11
August86°58°45°94°0 of 11
September73°51°39°87°0 of 11
October58°38°14°76°4 of 10
November47°31°-2°65°8 of 10
December36°23°9°48°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.