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Campsites
There are 6 tent / RV Camping sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit with an attached grill. The road and driveways are gravel. The forest in the campground is mature but thin, so the shaded areas are hit and miss. However, since the elevation here is about 6700 feet one shouldn't need as much shade.
Water
There is no potable water available.
Restroom
There is a vault style outhouse which was clean and well stocked.
Electricity
No.
Firewood
You will need to provide your own firewood.
Pets
Pets are required to be kept on a leash.
Picnic Area
There is no picnic area in Custer #1 Campground, but since there is no fee you can use any of the available campsites for your picnics.
Handicap Access
The outhouse is handicap accessible.
RV Dump Site
There is a RV dumping station south of Stanley.
Host On-Site
No.
Phone Service
Stanley, Idaho has both a pay phone and cell phone reception. Challis, Idaho, to the east would also have both.
Garbage Services
No garbage service, you will need to pack it out with you.
Fishing
Check the regulations from a link on our Idaho Fishing page.
Boating
No boating here, rafting and kayaking are popular down on the main Salmon River near Sunbeam.
Swimming
The Yankee Fork of the Salmon River is large enough for you to find a swimming hole; however, Custer #1 Campground is far up hill from the river. I remember seeing a load of campers in their swim suits driving down toward the river.
Recreation
Recreation in the area around Custer includes sightseeing the historic ghost towns of Bonanza and Custer. Custer is developed as a museum which we found quite interesting. There is also the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge which was even more interesting to me. Activities such as camping, biking, backpacking, fishing and photography are available in the nearby mountains. If you are considering a little prospecting for gold, do your research as many of the claims are still active.
Wildlife
Deer, elk and bear are common in this area. Mountain goat and mountain lions are here but are harder to find. Wolves have moved in in recent years, too. We saw a fox up by Eightmile Campground that had caught a cottontail rabbit. He hadn't even started to eat it yet.
Fee Schedule
In May 2017 the overnight fee is $5.
Reservations
No reservations, this is a first come, first serve campground.
Fees & Res.
No reservations, this is a first come, first serve campground. As of March 29, 2025, the overnight fee was $5.
Custer #1 Campground
π Salmon River/Sunbeam Area
π 44.399131,-114.664009
β° 6,700 ft
Custer #1 Campground is set on the hills well above the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River, about 1.9 miles past the historic city of Custer, Idaho. The mountains around here reach as high as Custer Lookout sitting at 9,753 feet. If you are up to a steep hike, only a short drive up the road there is a trailhead which leads to Custer Lookout.
Amenities
Recreation
Fees & Reservations
Getting There
Custer #1 Campground is located up the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River 11.9 miles from Sunbeam, Idaho. Traveling from Stanley, drive 13.0 miles NE on Hwy 75 toward Challis to Sunbeam. Turn left onto Yankee Fork Road and drive 11.9 miles. You will pass the historic town of Custer and the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge.
7-Day Forecast
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This information is accurate as of the date of the review.