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State Park
Calamity
Caribou-Targhee National Forest · Irwin, ID
Verify with the state park system
State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally — check the state park website before traveling.
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Official sources & verification
Managed by State Park
Source of truth
- Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.
Reserve or permit
- Reserve on Recreation.gov
Book a site directly with the operator.
Verify by phone or mail
- Address:Irwin, ID
About
Overview
Calamity Campground is located along the Snake River drainage at the north end of beautiful Palisades Reservoir at an elevation of 5,700 feet, just 55 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Visitors enjoy boating, water skiing, fishing and canoeing.
Recreation
Palisades Reservoir offers excellent boating, water skiing, swimming and canoeing. Lake and shore fishing are very popular here as well, with wild and stocked cutthroat trout as the predominate species. Kokanee salmon, brown and Mackinaw trout can also be found. A boat ramp and large parking area are located on-site.
The Palisades Creek Trail begins nearby, leading hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders to beautiful Upper Palisades Lake and expansive views of Swan Valley.
Facilities
The campground offers several campsites on three loops. All sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Some sites have a few stairs from the parking spur to the site pad.
Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided, but there is no electricity. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on a hillside above Palisades Reservoir, affording scenic views from many sites. A mixed forest of lodgepole pine, spruce, fir, aspen and maple trees partially shade the campground. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Nearby Attractions
Big Elk Creek Trail, for hiking, biking and horseback riding, begins at nearby Big Elk Campground and meanders up a beautiful canyon brimming with wildflowers, towering trees and views of the surrounding mountains.
Swan Valley and the Snake River offer more great fishing and boating opportunities, as well as rafting, canoeing and numerous trails for hiking, biking, horseback and ATV riding. Fall Creek Falls is 20 miles away, and the Fall Creek area has hundreds of miles of such trails.
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Amenities
Flush Toilets
Potable Water
Wifi
Firewood
Accessible
Picnic Tables
Fire Rings
Trash Service
Cell Service
Pet Policy
Pets allowed on leash
Campground Rules
- Campfires generally permitted — verify current fire restrictions before lighting
Within ~30 miles
Trails near Calamity
Trail
Spring Run Canyon to Little Sheep Creek
Idaho
4.4 mi1,106 ftgain
Moderate
Trail
Bear Creek Hot Springs
Idaho
13.8 mi3,097 ftgain
Expert
Trail
Upper Palisades Lake Trail to Lower Palisades Lake
Idaho
9.9 mi3,786 ftgain
Expert
Trail
Palisades Creek to Sheep Creek
Idaho
16.4 mi5,446 ftgain
Expert
Trail
Upper Palisades Lake Trail
Idaho
13.3 mi3,133 ftgain
Expert
Trail
Big Elk Creek Trail
Idaho
10.2 mi1,903 ftgain
Difficult
Hunt context
Hunting units around this campground
During hunting seasons, wear blaze orange and check regulations — see the Idaho hunting page
Nearby Campgrounds
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