USDA Forest Service · Idaho
Kirkham
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States
- Sites
- 16
- Hookups
- 15 no hookups
- Max RV length
- 80 ft
- Elevation
- 3,963 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- KIRKHAM CAMPGROUND (NFSR 025GB) · asphalt · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Boise National Forest
- Nearest town
- LOWMAN
- Address
- 7359 Hwy 21, LOWMAN, ID, 83637
- Phone
- 208-259-3361
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing
16 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Kirkham Campground is located next to the South Fork Payette River just east of Lowman, Idaho, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 4,000 feet. Visitors enjoy soaking in popular Kirkham Hot Springs on the banks of the river and exploring the scenic Kirkham Ridge Trail.
Recreation
Popular Kirkham Hot Springs is located at the river's edge within the campground. A trail with staircases leads down to the soaking pools and small steaming waterfalls.
The South Fork Payette River offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing. The Deadwood and Danskin River Access areas are nearby.
Kirkham Ridge Trail is one of the Lowman Ranger District's premier trails. It begins less than 1/4-mile away and stretches through beautiful country for 35 miles, connecting with many other trails in the area. It is open to hiking, mountain biking and horses. Sections of the trail are open seasonally to off-road vehicles.
Facilities
The campground contains several single-family sites and one double site, all of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Some sites have small picnic shelters for shade.
Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. A campground host is on-site. Roads and parking spurs are paved. A small gas station/cafe and mechanic are nearby.
Natural Features
The campground offers little shade, though a few Ponderosa pines are scattered throughout the site. The campground can be very hot and sunny during the summer. Wildflowers dot the landscape.
Nearby Attractions
Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along Highway 21, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway, and the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway. Both byways offer scenic views, wildlife watching, historical information kiosks and several trail opportunities.
Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the South Fork and Main Payette Rivers. Several companies in the area offer guided half and full-day trips.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 19° | 0° | 51° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 38° | 22° | -4° | 51° | 10 of 11 |
| March | 45° | 29° | 12° | 60° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 47° | 31° | 18° | 70° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 59° | 36° | 29° | 77° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 74° | 48° | 31° | 89° | 1 of 11 |
| July | 88° | 58° | 45° | 98° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 88° | 58° | 46° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 49° | 39° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 59° | 37° | 13° | 78° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 49° | 30° | 1° | 67° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 37° | 18° | 3° | 51° | 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
- Mountain View · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 15 sites
- Helende · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 10 sites
- Park Creek (Idaho) · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 26 sites
- Deadwood Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
- Pine Flats (Id) · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 26 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.