The headwaters of the Salmon River are in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. BLM recreation sites along this stretch start at the East Fork confluence, followed downstream by Bayhorse, Deadman Hole, Challis Bridge, Cottonwood, Kilpatrick, Gold Bug Hot Springs, Elevenmile, Eightmile, Shoup Bridge, Morgan Bar and Tower Rock.
Bayhorse Campground is at 5400-foot elevation and is ten miles south of Challis on Highway 75. Named for a historic mining district, Bayhorse Campground has 11 campsites along the Salmon River offering plentiful fishing. Anglers come for the resident cutthroat and rainbow trout, steelhead and whitefish. Visitors can take the road west to Bayhorse Lake, which is near a number of historic mines. The entire area is rich in mining history, and this is a comfortable base camp for exploring the Land of the Yankee Fork.
Amenities Include:
11 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings; Seasonal Campground Hosts;
Potable Water (beware of the sprinkler system if tenting); Vault toilets;
Boat ramp and day use parking area; drinking water, restrooms;
Plenty of hiking trails and interpretive sites to explore.
Directions
Approximately 10 miles southwest of Challis, Idaho: travel south from Challis on Highway 93 for 2 miles, turn right onto Highway 75 and drive southwest for approximately 8 miles. The recreation site is on your right between the highway and the Salmon River.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 44° 23′ 8.0000″ N
Longitude 114° 15′ 37.0001″ W