Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Pine Bar Recreation Site is located just south of Cottonwood, Idaho. This is a stunning area that lovers of the great outdoors will enjoy. Pine Bar Recreation Site sits along the Lower Salmon River, making it perfect for a number of summertime activities. Not only is there the Lower Salmon River, but there are plenty of beaches, lakes, and swimming holes in the area as well.
There aren’t any rental stations nearby, so you must bring your own watercraft. The area is surrounded by mountains and valleys, making it a truly picturesque place to visit. While staying there you can set up a tent or park the RV if you’re visiting for multiple days. Due to Pine Bar Recreation Site's distance from any large city, the stars shine bright and it makes for the perfect place to stargaze in the evening.
There is plenty of land to hike and explore. Families enjoy spending afternoons looking at the wildlife and seeing beautiful vegetation. Be sure to bring a camera to capture the beauty of Idaho and bring a piece of your travels back home with you.
Located in Cottonwood, Idaho, Pine Bar Recreation Site is right in the heart of the mountains. The lower part of the Salmon River runs alongside Pine Bar Recreation Site. Many people get there by taking Highway 95. This is the easiest way and the most well-maintained route. It’s important to note for those renting RVs or pulling trailers, the area has many winding and curvy roads. This can make travel a bit difficult, but drive slowly and you shouldn’t experience any issues.
Speaking of the drive, if you don’t have four-wheel drive on your vehicle, consider driving one that does. It can be hard to reach Pine Bar Recreation Site without it. Cell phone reception is spotty in this area of Idaho. To prevent getting lost or encountering any detours, look online for road closures and have a physical set of directions. When you arrive to Pine Bar Recreation Site, getting around is quite easy. The majority of people get around on foot or by watercraft. Either of these options are amazing ways to see and explore the area. Remember to bring your own watercraft to have fun on the river or one of the nearby lakes.
While visiting the Pine Bar Recreation Site, you can actually camp there for a few nights. You’ll find a total of six campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Pine Bar Recreation Sites camping area allows for campfires and campers can bring their pets. There is also conveniently water available as well as a picnic table at each campsite.
This is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to spend a lot of time in the water. The lower Salmon River runs straight through Pine Bar Recreation Sites campground and there is a swimming hole as well. It’s important to note that there are no electrical, sewer, or water hookups available for those camping in an RV. While staying here you can hike, swim, kayak, and more. The river makes the perfect natural soundtrack to fall asleep to after an exhausting day in the great outdoors.
If you’re not interested in staying at Pine Bar Recreation Site, you can rest your head at Grouse Campground. This campground is great for traveling groups of any size. It has 21 campsites available, nine of which are available with a reservation, while the remaining 12 are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Each of the 21 campsites has a fire ring and picnic table for your convenience.
It’s important to note that if you’re renting an RV, there are no modern hookups available. Many people enjoy staying at Grouse Campground because each campsite is right on the lake! This is a beautiful place to stay when you’re visiting Pine Bar Recreation Site. It is in the heart of nature and offers several activities for campers to enjoy including swimming, boating, and hiking. Pine Bar Recreation Site can get full quickly due to the small number of campsites available, making Grouse Campground a great second choice.
Last but not least, you can pitch a tent or park the RV at the Slate Creek Recreation Site. This area also has just six campsites available. They are all available on a first-come, first-served basis and come with both a fire ring and picnic table. Many people enjoy staying at the Slate Creek Recreation Site when visiting Pine Bar Recreation Site due to its close proximity. If you’re staying in an RV or trailer, you may want to know that this campground doesn’t have any hookups available.
If you’re traveling in the summer, this is a fantastic place to rest your head, as you’ll be within walking distance to a boat launch to enjoy some fun on the water. There is also plenty of shade over each campsite. Like Pine Bar Recreation Site, Slate Creek Recreation Site is also managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It costs little to nothing to stay there and is a solid option if Pine Bar Recreation Site is full.
When it comes to peak season activities, they all will take place on or in the water. Swimming is a great way to cool off during the hot Idaho summer months. When visiting Pine Bar Recreation Site, you’ll have easy access to the Lower Salmon River. There are also a handful of swimming holes in the area that are perfect for couples or small groups to enjoy. If you’re traveling with kids, keep in mind that there is never a lifeguard on duty.
Speaking of the Lower Salmon River, fishing is another popular activity the visitors of Pine Bar Recreation Site enjoy. It’s important that visitors and locals make sure they have a valid fishing license before casting their reel.
There is easy access to the shore as well as a boat launch. You can fish from a boat on the water or straight from the dock. There are several different types of fish in the area, but the most commonly caught are bass and trout. If you’re lucky enough, you may even get a sturgeon or two.
Another popular activity that visitors of Pine Bar Recreation Site enjoy is an afternoon of boating. While you can take a classic fishing boat on the water, you can also relax on a canoe, paddle a kayak, or even use a paddleboard. This is the perfect way to spend a warm summer day in Idaho. Be sure to have kids or those who don’t know how to swim in life jackets to prevent any accidents.
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy a delicious meal in the heart of nature? This is one of the most popular off-season activities for those visiting Pine Bar Recreation Site. You can sit at one of the picnic tables, lay down a blanket, or set up a chair right outside of the RV. This is a great way to fuel up before a long hike or fill up after a long day out on the water. It’s important that you respect the No Trace Left Behind Act and clean up any scraps or trash from your meal.
After a delicious picnic, you and your family can get in a relaxing afternoon of wildlife viewing. When visiting Pine Bar Recreation Site you’ll have the opportunity to see a number of different animals.
There are several types of birds that call the area home that are best seen with a pair of high-quality binoculars. Of course, there are also several different types of fish in the river. You may also see raccoons, wolves, bears, elk, and rabbits in the area.
The last off-season activity to mention is hiking. While this can be done at any time, it’s more popular in the off-season, surprisingly. There are a handful of trails in the area that allow people to enjoy a quick brisk walk or a long strenuous hike during their visit to Pine Bar Recreation Site. Be safe and don’t approach any wild animals during this activity. You may want to pack bear spray to be extra safe.
