Big Elk Campground is situated along Big Elk Creek on a quiet arm of gorgeous Palisades Reservoir at an elevation of 5,700 feet, just 55 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Aspens and tall Douglas firs partially shade the campground, sagebrush and summer wildflowers dot the area. Big Elk Creek has great fishing for cutthroat trout and occasional kokanee salmon. Canoeing and swimming are also popular activities. Big Elk Creek Trail, for hiking, biking, and horses, begins at the campground and meanders up a beautiful canyon brimming with wildflowers, towering trees, and views of the surrounding mountains.
This campground provides vault toilets, potable water, and garbage service, but no electricity. Three group sites are available, all with picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Site A-1 has a covered pavilion, large picnic tables, serving tables, and grills, and can accommodate up to 160 people. Sites B-1 and B-2 can accommodate up to 50 people each. Individual sites are available on a first come, first served basis only. A full-time campground host is located on site, and firewood is available for purchase. Roads and spurs within the site are gravel. A small boat ramp is located on site. The reservoir is used for irrigation purposes so when surface level is low, boats cannot be launched on Big Elk Creek. It is recommended that only small fishing boats and canoes/kayaks be launched at Big Elk Creek. There is no direct access to Palisades Reservoir from this location. A large boat ramp on Palisades Reservoir is located at Calamity Campground less than 10 miles away.
Palisades Reservoir is just across the road, offering excellent boating, waterskiing, swimming, and canoeing. Lake and shore fishing are very popular there as well, with wild and stocked cutthroat trout being the predominate species. Brown trout, kokanee salmon, and mackinaw trout can also be found. The Palisades Creek Trail begins nearby, leading hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders to beautiful Upper Palisades Lake and expansive views of Swan Valley. The Snake River and Swan Valley offer more great fishing and boating, as well as rafting, canoeing, and numerous trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATVs. Fall Creek Falls is 20 miles distant, and the Fall Creek area has hundreds of miles of such trails.
