Murdock Campground

This is a small, FCFS Forest Service campground managed by a concessionaire. The access road to the campground was in good condition, graded gravel road. There are 11 wooded back in sites on a dirt loop road and pad. After settling into your site, the camp manager comes and collects your fee. Each site was clean and raked, table, fire pit and level. The fee is $20, a bit overpriced for dry camping. Most all sites could accommodate a big rig, although some tree trimming needs to be done in the loop road and in some sites.

Pit toilets were stocked and clean. A nice dump station is located about a mile before the campground (for a fee). Wood is available for $10 from the camp manager.

There is hiking and biking in the area with numerous trail heads. There is a lot of free gorgeous dispersed camping in the area but in designated sites only. The North Fork of the Big Wood River is across the main road and behind the campground is Murdock Creek. We really enjoyed this quiet campground.

Stayed in Murdock Creek Dispersed area last year, which is close by. But, it was full this year and overgrown with nasty weeds. Went to Murdock Campground and there was only the Host and one other camper there. Campground is right next to the North Fork of Big Wood River. Found perfectly level spot in #4 with partial sun for solar. Other camper left, so just us. Smoky from fires; maybe that’s why. Improved each day, though. Great Verizon signal. Well worth the $18 compared to dispersed options. Hosts were great. Pit toilets ok, but could use a face lift. Rest of campground was in great shape.

Nice campground. Secluded, but not too far out of the way. Just beyond the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Visitor Center off of a dirt road that was fairly good. Only 11 sites, but all were accessible and full most nights. We arrived late, around 7pm on a Thursday and got the last site which happened to fit our 35' fifth wheel and tow vehicle. I gave this CG a 4 out 5 for two reasons. First, there is a dump station between the CG and the SNRA visitor center, but staying at the CG does not include using the dump station. It's an extra $5 fee. Second, the picnic tables included with each site are pretty run down. Strange that a power line runs through the CG, but there is no power to the sites, only to the host site. As another reviewer posted, there are numerous boondocking sites around, but we were satisfied with our stay at this campground.

Originally I was looking for a dispersed campsite near the end of FR 146. However, all those free spots were occupied for the weekend. I made my way back to Murdock Campground and took site 11, a nice and almost level spot. There isn't shade for the vehicle, but I was able to find a nice shady spot under some pines to set up the lounge chair. FR 146 is a busy road, but that didn't bother me. I was grateful for the clean bathrooms (vault toilet) and availability of drinking water (though there was a boil warning in place at the time, but no big deal). And this being my first solo trip with my truck and camper, I was happy to have the security of knowing the camp managers, Carole and Keith, were nearby. The river is directly across the road, dark skies for night photography, an enjoyable hike on Murdock Trail is nearby, and each site has a fire pit. The established quiet hours kept the large family group camped next to me from playing their music into the night. This is something you don't get in dispersed camping areas; you take your chances with having the peace and quiet you hope for. I was happy with my choice.

Nice area, like others have said there is dispersed camping surronding the campground. It does seem a bit expensive when put in perspective of others surrounding you not paying the $18/night. Also, if you are one who is in dispersed camping, know there is a dumpster in the campground you can leave you garbage at for a $5 fee, also there is a $5 fee to dump, not clear if I am paying to camp if that would be included in my stay and camp host not sure either on that. If you are staying for extended time and need a shower, the Easley Hot Springs down the road will let you shower there for $2/person. Road going past Murdock CG is rough with good size stone imbedded in the road. We would stay again as proximity to Ketchum was nice.

Nightly rate is $16, unless you have an interagency pass. A national parks pass is NOT an interagency pass. Unless you’re a senior citizen, apparently? PLUS $8 per vehicle. We have an RV, tow a car, and someone was joining us at the moment, so it was $32/night to boondock. I found the sign explaining the pricing to be a little misleading. We wouldn’t have settled into a spot if I knew it was going to be so expensive.

There’s dispersed camping all around for free. Find a spot at one of those many options and save your cash.

It’s beautiful. We have good ATT cell service. There’s a dumpster there and a dump station in between the campground and highway 75. The hosts were nice — the pricing isn’t up to them.

We stayed here after Labor Day weekend, and have no trouble finding a space to accept our 37’ 5th wheel. In fact the entire time we camped there, there was always at least one open space every night. The hosts were very nice. Only down side was the water was shut off for the first 3 nights, so have to get water from a campground north about 5 miles (Wood River). Minor inconvenience. Also had a good rain and wind storm, a limb came down at the back of a site, missing a trailer. They cleaned it up the next morning. It’s a small campground, only 11 spaces, and the hosts occupy one, so 10 usable.

We were going to stay here because it had good verizon cell service, but you can drive down the road another .25 mile and find awesome boondocking sites along the river. Idaho is a boondockers paradise. You can camp anywhere unless posted and we did. We booked sites in advance before we arrived not knowing what we'd find. Most of these campgrounds are pretty dusty as well as the FR roads. I'll put some free sites on the map.