Silver City Campground
RV Guide
Introduction
If you're looking for a unique place to visit on your next RV adventure, you won't want to miss the chance to visit Idaho's Silver City Campground. It's a wonderful place for a relaxing holiday.
Silver City Campground, a Bureau of Land Management property, is located near to its namesake city, Silver City, in the state of Idaho. A very small camping facility at only six spaces, Silver City Campground rests on the premises of an old 19th-century mining community. In recent years, there have been developments on the grounds to help restore the property to its former state.
The landscape at Silver City is extremely picturesque and features views of the nearby Owyhee Mountain range. Nestled within a region with no amenities, Silver City Campground sees very little traffic and feels like a desert wasteland. However, the grounds at this lovely camping facility are an ironic mix of delicate beauty and vulnerability.
Silver City was actually once a hiding ground for well-known hitman Rico Ponzo in 1997. Ponzo took on the persona of an area rancher and was able to escape assassination attempts for a period of ten years. His story is one of many who have used the property as their own little private retreat from the world.
Today, Silver City Campground is considered a backcountry hollow. The area sees very little traffic year-round, affording families the opportunity to enjoy their own private camping facility. In its hay day, Silver City was home to 300 homes and 75 businesses. The town was the seat of the very first newspaper in the state and laid claim to a house of prostitution as well.
The hilly terrain in Silver City contains such gems as crystallized chunks of gold and a substance known as silver chloride amalgam, more commonly referred to as ruby silver. These rich resources fuelled the economy for many years until the mines ran dry in 1942. In the ensuing years, the town was abandoned altogether.
Today, there are still approximately seventy buildings located in the downtown core. Among the most popular activities at this campground are hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and photography.
For an interesting vacation that'll leave you with stories to tell for years, plan a trip to Silver City Campground. It's an amazing place to visit on an RV getaway.
RV Rentals in Silver City Campground
Transportation
Driving
Travel to Silver City Campground is best accomplished from Highway 78 outside the town of Murphy. This camping facility is located approximately 70 miles away from the state's premier city of Boise and rests in the midst of the Owyhee Mountains. Travelers can follow Highway 78, a paved road consisting of two lanes, for the majority of the journey, making a turn at the sign denoting Silver City. Follow the main street to find the camping area.
If traveling to Silver City from the Jordan Valley region, travelers will follow Highway 95 in the town of Sheaville. This route also proceeds on a two-lane paved high directly to the exit for Silver City.
Travel to Silver City Campground proceeds through parched desert locale. There are no cities nearby that offer any supplies, so travelers must come prepared with the things they will need for a day's visit or overnight stay.
Parking
Parking can be found along the main street of Silver City or in any of the abandoned parking lots found within the town.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation available to Silver City Campground due to its remote location.
Campgrounds and parking in Silver City Campground
Campsites in Silver City Campground
Reservations camping
McCormick Campground
McCormick Campground is found in the public park of the same name and rests along the banks of the popular Snake River. The camping area was constructed in 1958 and bears the name of Mr. Fred McCormick, a prominent employee of the Idaho Power Company.
There are 34 campsites reserved for RV use here. Each offers water and power hookups. Though the sites do not have their own picnic tables, there are four with fire pits located on the camp premises.
There are seven campsites set aside specifically for tent stays. Each of these sites offers power, a picnic table, and a fire pit with a grill screen.
There is one RV campsite with a nearby bathroom. Both are wheelchair accessible. There is a waste disposal station located near to the campground for public use.
Among the most popular activities at McCormick campground are fishing and boating.
First-come first-served
Silver City Campground
Silver City Campground is a small camping facility that offers six sites on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is permitted here year-round.
Silver City Campground is extremely unique in that it is situated on the grounds of a formerly prosperous mining community. Today, it is essentially a ghost town that sees very little traffic.
There are no amenities provided at this campsite. Campers are asked to not drink the water found in Jordan Creek as it is likely to contain high amounts of mercury and may not be safe. Families should bring water with them for drinking, bathing, and cooking.
Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table.
Dogs may join their owners but must remain leashed at all times.
Campfires are permitted on the grounds.
A vault toilet is provided for public use.
Owyhee North Fork Campground
Owyhee North Fork Campground rests in a backcountry section of the state. This camping facility is renowned for its quiet locale that promotes peace and relaxation.
A campground that focuses on primitive style camping conditions, Owyhee North Fork Campground is found along the shore of the Owyhee River Canyon. The vast majority of the area is wilderness, so families will need to come prepared to hike to their campsite. With this in mind, this camping facility is best-suited to tenting.
There are seven sites in total, all of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campfires are permitted on the grounds. There is a vault toilet installed on the grounds for public use.
Each site is equipped with a picnic table. There are no other amenities at this primitive camping facility.
Campfires allowed
Seasonal activities in Silver City Campground
In-Season
Jump Creek Falls Trail
Jump Creek Falls Trail is a short hiking path that sees frequent traffic year-round. This hiking route is considered an out-and-back trail. It begins near the town of Marsing, Idaho. Though a relatively short trail, this hike features some incredible sights including a beautiful waterfall.
The trail is rated as appropriate for people of all ages and activity levels. Visitors to this trail recommend visits from March through October for the more favorable weather conditions.
Dogs may join their owners on this very popular hiking trail. Please keep Fido leashed at all times.
Along the route, families will be treated to unusual and beautiful species of vegetation such as red-osier dogwood and water-birch trees. The land is highlighted by the presence of purple and white Syringa as well, a flower adopted by the state as its official blossom.
Owyhee Mountains
Found in a southwest section of the state, the Owyhee Mountains bear the distinction of being one of the final areas discovered in the lower portion of the United States. The landscape is extremely rough and rises sharply in elevation with heights ranging from 2000 feet to 8000 in total.
An extremely beautiful area to explore, it is not just the mountains that provide the area with charm and character. Many who visit the region claim the canyons are equally as picturesque. The lowest canyons plunge to such incredible depths that it is unlikely they have ever been fully explored.
The Owyhee Mountain range is littered with many types of rock and gems ncluding agates, garnets, and crystals.
During a visit to Owyhee Mountains, it is well worth exploring the remains of downtown Silver City. Other nearby attractions include Bruneau Dunes State Park and the Snake River Birds of Prey.
Bruneau Canyon Overlook
Bruneau Canyon Overlook is worth a visit during a trip to Silver City Campground. Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of Southwest Idaho, the canyon was formed as a result of volcanic activity, glacier deterioration, and water erosion.
Bruneau Canyon Overlook is the only spot in the region from which the canyon can be properly viewed. The canyon spans 1,300 feet across and is 800 feet deep. It encompasses 60 miles of land in total.
Other sights to enjoy here include the Bruneau River trajectory and local wildlife. Bring along a camera on this excursion to record the breathtaking views from the overlook platform.
Bruneau Canyon Overlook is also a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch.
Off-Season
Cleo's Ferry Museum
An interesting place to spend a day on an RV adventure to Silver City Campground, Cleo's Ferry Museum and Nature Trail is one spot that is well worth the drive to see. The property essentially consists of a winding path that is generously littered with restored and protected pieces of equipment and memorabilia from ferry service terminals and outdoor art installations.
Among the things families will find along the outdoor path include birdhouses, lawn ornaments, unusual signs statues, a group of peacocks, and a graveyard. A vast collection, there is nothing to unify the elements, making it quite fascinating to take in.
The property belonged to Dr. Samuel "Pappy" Swayne and his wife Cleo. Upon its purchase, they began to build several buildings on the premises with the intent of living there and continuing the good doctor's practice on the grounds. When Pappy passed in 1976, Cleo made the decision to devote the land to a trail that prominently displayed unusual art pieces.
The graveyard rests in the very middle of the trail. Pappy's remains are found in this cemetery.
Dogs are not permitted on this trail. The property accepts visitors every day between the hours of 9 AM and 5 PM.
Wickahoney Post Office and Stage Station
The Wickahoney Post Office and Stage Station is well worth a visit during a trip to Silver City Campground. Once a flourishing focal point of town life, the post office and stagecoach are long since abandoned.
The building itself was constructed from an unusual material: lava rock. A dwelling with much character, the post office featured a wooden front porch, seven gables, and a roof comprised of shingles. The post office was in operation between 1895 and 1911. In addition to its role in mail delivery, the building also served as a resting point for stagecoach services.
The stagecoach service was useful in bringing supplies to the miners working in the region. It was believed that this particular activity would ensure the future economic stability of the region. In time, an additional stagecoach route circumvented the Wickahoney station, and it fell into disuse.
In 1982, the Wickahoney Post Office and Stage Station was inducted onto the National Register of Historic Places.
Photography
An extremely scenic property with lots of unique features, Silver City Campground is a great place for taking some interesting photos. Families can enjoy leisurely meandering down the main street, photographing each of the buildings, many of which are in the process of being restored. Although abandoned for many years, most of the dwellings and stores still housed in Silver City are in good shape and worthy subject matter for photos.
The mountainous terrain surrounding Silver City is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Families can enjoy a hike through the grounds, happily snapping pictures of the rolling hills, desert landscape, and varied vegetation. An area that sees an abundance of wildlife year-round, there are many different animals that may make an appearance during a visit, making for great photo ops.
