The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) offers camping at the Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site. This site provides an upfront view of Mt. McCaleb and the Lost River Range. With 26 campsites, a dump station, restrooms, and a boat ramp, this pleasant BLM campground offers some unique opportunities for visitors. You can take advantage of Mackay Reservoir for boating, jet-skiing, fishing, and sailing. With the Lost River Range in view, you can prepare for hiking up the highest mountain range of the Rockies.
Just three and a half hours east of the Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site are two national parks, both located in Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park covers over 3,500 miles and sits atop a dormant volcano. Grand Teton National Park offers breathtaking views of mountain lakes and vistas alongside an abundance of viewable wildlife.
This trail begins at East Fork Road with a moderate climb. You'll travel across open meadows for most of the hike. At the very end, you'll endure a steep elevation gain as you approach the end of the trail at Dry Creek Pass.
Length: 3.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
This trail begins at Junction with 40093. It's very steep in various places and ends at Morse Creek Road.
Length: 8.4 miles
Intensity: Difficult
This trail begins at Road 267. You'll enjoy seeing beautiful wildflowers and various bird species. The trail ends at Merriam Lake.
Length: 2 miles
Intensity: Moderate
This trailhead is located at the end of BLM Road #279, right off Highway 93. During the first part of the trail, you'll go through scattered timber. After two miles of easy hiking, you'll enter the last challenging mile. This involves some hand-over-hand extreme climbing on bare rocks.
Length: 3.8 miles
Intensity: Difficult
This recreation site is nestled between the White Knob Mountains and Mackay Peak along the Mackay Reservoir. There is a boat ramp and dock for easy access to boating. This reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout and has self-sustaining kokanee. While summer boat fishing is the most popular activity, ice fishing is also possible in the colder season.
Situated within view of the Lost River Range, there are many opportunities for some intense climbing at this recreation site. This range contains seven out of the nine 12,000-foot peaks in Idaho. While some of the range is known for loose rocks, there are parts where you can safely climb. Mount McCaleb is located right across from the recreational area and offers great climbing from June through September.
The Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site is a well-known spot for bird-watchers. It sees an influx in shorebirds and waterfowl that other areas of Idaho don't. Apart from birds, you can see an abundance of other wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, mule deer, and pronghorn.
You can enjoy picnicking right at your campsite with a fire pit, picnic table, and grill. The recreation site also offers four individual shelters and one group shelter in the day-use areas. The group shelter must be reserved for a fee of $25 per day.
You can enjoy BLM RV camping at any one of the 26 campsites that are offered at this site. These are the only full-hookup sites offered in the area. Amenities include an on-site dump station, restrooms, drinking water, fire rings, garbage collection, picnic tables, and grills. If you would rather stay at a non-BLM campsite, there are various options throughout the area. Just south on Highway 93, Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park offers pull-through and back-in spaces.
If you want to stay deeper in the mountains without hookup access, you can head east of the site and stay at the Garden Creek Campground, a developed free camping site that is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Primitive camping is also available at the nearby Wet Creek Sites.
The reservoir can be used for a wide variety of water-based activities. Be sure to bring life jackets to remain safe while boating.
While you'll typically have cell service at the campground, it will start to wane as you enter the surrounding mountain ranges.
About five minutes south on Highway 93, you'll find the town of Mackay. This town offers gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.
Before you head out on your trip, check our blog for all you need to know about BML Camping
This recreation site requires that all visitors clean up after themselves to preserve the natural integrity of the land. It's best to plan ahead and give yourself time to properly dispose of waste. Be respectful to the wildlife you encounter and keep your campfires to a reasonable size. Be considerate of other campers and leave what you find in the wilderness.
This recreation site is located just north of the town of Mackay, Idaho. If you travel north on Highway 93 from Mackay, this location is approximately six miles on the west side of the highway. Traveling from Challis, you'll want to take Highway 93 south for approximately 50 miles. This recreation site and the reservoir will be on your right.
Ready to visit Joe T. Fallini Recreation Site? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
