14 days in any 30
Order 0412-569 (in effect May 11, 2022 through May 31, 2027) prohibits "camping within the same five-mile radius for more than 14 days in any 30 consecutive days" - the 5-mile radius is part of the count. It applies to all NFS lands within the Payette National Forest except those within the boundaries of the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, which the order expressly excludes. The forest's camping page states it the same way: "The stay limits across the Payette National Forest is 14 days within any 30 day consecutive period. Once the 14 days is past, camp sites must be vacated. Persons wanting to set up another camp can only do so outside of a 5 mile radius of the original campsite," and adds "residing on the Forest is not permitted." At Lick Lake, Bear Lakes, Sheepeater Lake, and Black Lake, Order 0412-620 further limits camping to 3 nights in any 30-day period per lake.
Where you can camp
Designated sites in some areas
The forest's camping page presents dispersed camping as generally available and names dispersed areas (e.g. Big Bar, "a large dispersed camping area along the Snake River in Hells Canyon" with "no formal parking or camping units"). Order 0412-620 carves out designated-site-only camping near four high lakes: no "camping, except at designated sites" within 200 feet of the high-water mark of Lick Lake, Bear Lakes, Sheepeater Lake, and Black Lake. source
Keep your distance
- 200 ft — Order 0412-620 (effective June 10, 2025 through June 10, 2030): camping is prohibited except at designated sites within "200 feet horizontal distance from the high-water mark" of Lick Lake, Bear Lakes, Sheepeater Lake, and Black Lake; the order also caps stays at 3 nights per 30 days per lake, 8 persons per designated site, and restricts stock use at named meadows. Named-lakes scope only, not forest-wide. source
- Recommended: 200 ft — Intermountain Region dispersed-camping guidance covering this forest: "Please place your campsite at least 200 feet from any stream or other water source." Regional guidance wording, not a numbered order; no forest-wide Payette setback order was found. source
Roads and vehicle access
Check the motor vehicle use map
The Intermountain Region states: "Motorized vehicle use for the purpose of dispersed camping is defined on each forest's motorized visitor use map." Payette's own pages publish no off-route camping distance - the corridor allowance for each route is printed on the district MVUM sheets; get them from the forest's maps page or offices.
Fires right now
We don't watch this forest's fire orders yet — check its own site before you light anything. Here's what stage 1 and stage 2 mean when an order is up.
Closures and special orders
- Payette Occupancy and Use - 14 Day Stay Limit - Order 0412-569 The stay-limit legal text: no camping within the same five-mile radius for more than 14 days in any 30 consecutive days; excludes NFS lands within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. In effect May 11, 2022 through May 31, 2027.
- Wilderness Camping and Grazing Restrictions - Order 0412-620 Designated-site-only camping within 200 ft of Lick, Bear, Sheepeater and Black lakes; 3-night limits per 30 days; group and stock restrictions at named basins and meadows, to "protect fragile, high elevation, water-based natural resources." Effective June 10, 2025 through June 10, 2030.
- Frank Church Wilderness Occupancy and Use - Order 01/04-00-00-21-02 Standing visitor requirements for the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness - read the order before overnight trips into the wilderness.
- Chamberlain Airstrip Campground Restriction - Order 0412-621 Camping restriction at the Chamberlain airstrip to "protect resources, and the quality and wilderness character" - read the order before flying in to camp.
- Big Flat Campground Area Closure - Order 0412-625 Area closure during post-fire reconstruction for public safety - the Big Flat area is off the table while the order stands.