McKay's Bend Recreation Site
Facility · Idaho ·
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management
Nez Perce Reservation (D2)
- 850 ft
- Elevation
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
Overview
McKay’s Bend, which is jointly managed by the BLM and Idaho Fish and Game, is a developed recreation site located along the Clearwater River and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. This recreation site offers developed camping for RVs and tents, group facilities, a day use area, showers, flush toilets, and provides river access.
Facilities
- 14 full hookup RV sites with water, electricity 50 AMP service, sewer, picnic tables, and fire rings
- 3 large tent campsites with picnic tables and fire rings
- Showers - 2 (only available to registered campground visitors)
- Day use area with picnic tables and BBQ grills
- Drinking water
- Flush toilets - 2
- Parking area
- NO RV dump station
- Open year-round; first come, first served- no reservations can be made.
- Dogs must be on a leash (6 feet or less)
- Garbage disposal on site. Disposal of any household or industrial refuse or waste brought in from private or municipal property is prohibited and subject to fines.
- Campground fees must be paid within 30 minutes after occupying site.
- Group day use pavilion, exclusive use: $50 per day. To reserve, please call the BLM- Cottonwood Field Office at 208-962-3245.
Getting there
18 miles east of Lewiston, Idaho at mile post 18.6 on U.S. Highway 12
46.49750, -116.72694 · 46°29'51.0"N 116°43'37.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 2.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
$18/night per camper for RV full hookups; $10/night for tent camping; $4/night per extra vehicle. America the Beautiful - Senior Pass or Access Pass holders receive half price for standard amenity fees.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about McKay's Bend Recreation Site
- Can you reserve a site at McKay's Bend Recreation Site?
- No. McKay's Bend Recreation Site is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.
Camping near McKay's Bend Recreation Site
- Pink House Day Use Pavilions 18 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pink House Recreation Site 18 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Hells Canyon - Snake River (Powerboat) 19 mi · Permit · we watch it
- Dent Acres 25.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater NF) 33.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Elk Creek Pavilion (Clearwater NF) 33.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Harpers Bend Recreation Site 13.2 mi · Facility
- Dworshak National Fish Hatchery 19.1 mi · Facility
- University of Idaho/Lionel Hampton Center 20.7 mi · Facility
- Little Boulder Campground 22.8 mi · Campground
- Laird Park Campground 31.1 mi · Campground
- Elk Creek Campground 33 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 208-962-3245
- Email blm_id_cottonwoodoffice@blm.gov
- Info Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-05.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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