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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Lower Penstemon

Forest Service campground in Sawtooth National Forest, Twin Falls County, Idaho. About 6,600 feet. 18.8 miles from Hollister.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Sawtooth National Forest
Elevation
About 6,600 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
6 6 standard non-electric
Longest rig
30 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Twin Falls County

Overview

Lower Penstemon Campground is located along the scenic Rock Creek Road, in southern Idaho, at an elevation of 6,600 feet. Visitors come to the area to enjoy its abundant trails and natural beauty.

Recreation

Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails crisscross the surrounding area. Third Fork, Pike Mountain, Rim View and Porcupine Spring trails all begin nearby. Rock Creek runs along the campground, offering good trout fishing.

Facilities

The campground contains single-family campsites with picnic tables and campfire rings. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs within the campground are gravel. Because the campground is situated along the main road, some noise from passing cars is to be expected.

Natural Features

The campground is situated in a mixed conifer and aspen forest, just off Rock Creek Road. Most sites have partial shade. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape and wildlife can be seen frequently in the surrounding area.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • hiking
  • horseback riding
  • hunting
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Lower Penstemon

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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