If you’re new to camping and want to cut your teeth in the great outdoors, Mann Creek Campground is a perfect place to test out that new tent or trailer. Just an hour and a half outside of Boise, you won’t have made too long of a journey if you end up regretting this wild camping idea.
Logistics
There are 13 campsites available at Mann Creek. You can reserve sites online at Recreation.gov. If you are pulling a trailer, know that there are no pull-through spots even if it is listed as such. The campground spur road can get a little tight with travel trailers over 25 feet. Watch out for the low lying boulders that line the road as they are sometimes hard to see when backing in.
The campground rarely fills up to capacity so it makes for a good last minute booking if you just need to get away from boring city life. Sites have fully enclosed fire pits, and there is one vault toilet for the campground.
There is a hand pump for water but unless you love stomach aches I would not recommend drinking the water.
There is also a dumpster located near the entrance to the campground so you don’t have to pack out your trash.
Environment
Mann Creek Reservoir is not the prettiest body of water in Idaho, but it has a great personality. Trees are few and far between in the area so the landscape is very plain jane. But the lack of towering trunks allows you a constant view of the rolling hills of the Hitt Mountains that surround the reservoir. The only real vegetation is around the campground which unfortunately blocks the view of the water.
Mann Creek Reservoir has over 5 miles of shoreline however that is a loose description. A lot of the shore is very marshy and not really a suitable for taking a stroll.
Activities
To genuinely appreciate Mann Creek Campground and the Reservoir you need a small motorless boat or an ATV, otherwise, there really isn’t much do.
Hiking
The area lacks good hiking trails, but there are areas to explore if you just want exercise. The landscape has huge open regions so instead of walking, do a little driving. If you have a quad or dirt bike you’ll have more fun roaming the land.
Fishing
The waterlogged shoreline makes it difficult to get a good cast from either a spin reel or fly rod. The shallow waters extend so far that even using waders doesn’t get you to a decent fishing depth. If you have a small kayak or compact fishing boat you will have a far greater chance of catching a trout dinner.
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Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
