USDA Forest Service · Idaho
French Creek
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 21
- Hookups
- 21 no hookups
- Season
- May 16 to September 15
- Max RV length
- 45 ft
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,846 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile good · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- FRENCH CREEK CG & BOAT DOCK (NFSR 422C) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Boise National Forest
- Nearest town
- CASCADE
- Address
- P.O. BOX 696, CASCADE, ID, 83611
- Phone
- 208-382-7400
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Water Skiing, Wildlife Viewing
21 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33° | 17° | -3° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 34° | 20° | -8° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 41° | 26° | 8° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 28° | 18° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 55° | 35° | 26° | 75° | 6 of 11 |
| June | 70° | 45° | 33° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 84° | 55° | 42° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 82° | 55° | 46° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 46° | 38° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 56° | 35° | 15° | 72° | 7 of 10 |
| November | 44° | 29° | 4° | 60° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 34° | 17° | 3° | 46° | 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
- Lake Cascade State Park · Idaho State Parks · 4 mi · 279 sites
- Big Flat · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 14 sites
- Horsethief Reservoir Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 10 mi
- Cabin Creek · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 20 sites
- Amanita · USDA Forest Service · 12 mi · 11 sites
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.