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Wizard of Wandering

Deadwood Reservoir, Idaho

Updated: Aug 14


21 miles of shoreline plus campgrounds and a lookout!

Deadwood Reservoir is a remote lake formed by the Deadwood Dam, and is in a quiet and unpopulated location, with access from different directions - Boise, Lowman, or Cascade. No matter which direction you come from, you can enjoy boating, water skiing, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Boat ramps are available. If you decide to go fishing, you'll find Atlantic, Chinook and Kokanee salmon, and rainbow and cutthroat trout. There are also many trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding in the area.


There are four Forest Service campgrounds at the reservoir:

  • Cozy Cove Campground

    • On the southern shore of Deadwood Reservoir.

    • This is the closest campground to Boise. See full description below.

  • Howers Campground

  • Barney's Campground

    • North of Howers Campground, on the northeast shore of Deadwood Reservoir.

    • Phone: (208) 259-3361

    • Main sites: 8 RV · 8 Tent

    • Sites: 8 RV · 8 Tent · 8 No Hookup

    • Facilities: Drinking water; vault toilet

    • Rates: $5.00 day use / $12.00 overnight

    • Open: July to September

    • Activities: Swimming · Kayaking · Hiking · Fishing · Biking · Canoeing · ATV/OHV

  • Riverside Campground

    • Lowman area

    • Address: Lowman, ID 83637

    • Phone: (208) 259-3361

    • Main sites: 8 RV · 8 Tent

    • Sites: 8 RV · 8 Tent · No Hookups · 1 Pull Thru

    • Rates: $5.00 day use / $12.00 overnight

    • Open: July 1 to Labor Day

    • Activities: Swimming · Kayaking · Hiking · Fishing · Biking · Canoeing


Getting to There from Boise through Garden Valley - Cozy Cove

  • This is the fastest route from Boise to Deadwood Reservoir

Take ID-55 North. Turn right onto Banks Lowman Rd. Turn left onto Scott Mountain Road and at approximately 9.8 miles after you turn onto Scott Mountain, turn right to stay on Scott Mountain Road and continue about 14.3 miles where you will turn left onto Forest Road 555F. Your destination will be on your left. Cozy Cove Campground has access to the lake, close to scenic Deadwood Reservoir.


LATITUDE/LONGITUDE: 44.2949685728313, -115.65438911491133 ELEVATION: 5,367 STARTING POINT: Boise DISTANCE FROM STARTING POINT: 89.9 miles from the Flying Y or Flying Wye at I-84 Milepost 49 (one way) TIME TO REACH: Approximately 3 hours 5 minutes (one way) ROAD SURFACE: Paved and gravel/dirt WHEN ACCESSIBLE: June - September, or as snow conditions permit FEES: This is a fee campground. $12.00 per night. $5.00 for day use. RECOMMENDED VEHICLES: All wheel drive vehicle is recommended, but cars can also make the drive. Accessibility is dependent on road conditions. PET FRIENDLY: Yes WHEN WE WENT: Summer TRAILHEADS: Many hiking, mountain biking and horseback and off-road vehicle trails are throughout the area CAMPGROUNDS: 16 sites / single site: $12.00 per night; $5.00 day use. Some first-come, first-served sites may be available. Cash or check. Additional vehicles may be subject to parking fees. Electric hookups are not available. Drinking water and vault toilet are available. SITE CONTACT INFO: Reservations are made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Contact the Lowman Ranger District at 208- 259-3361 for off-season camping information.

GENERAL NOTES: The Cozy Cove Campground Boat Ramp is concrete and provides access to Deadwood Reservoir. It is located near Cozy Cove Campground where a restroom, picnic tables and parking are provided.


I'm Here - Now What?

The campground is on a bluff looking out over the reservoir, and all sites have a view of the lake. There is shade provided by pine trees that cover most of the campground.

  • Motorized vehicles and bicycles

  • Fishing

  • Photography

  • Wildlife and plant viewing - summer wildflowers are plentiful

  • Boating - a concrete boat ramp provides access to Deadwood Reservoir

  • Rafting/floating

  • Camping

  • Picnicking

  • Hiking

  • Biking

  • Horseback riding

  • Geocaching

Getting There from Lowman

At Lowman, turn left at the intersection of State Highway 17 and State Highway 21. Travel northeast towards Stanley, Idaho along State Highway 21 approximately 40 miles.

Along the route, you will travel past Banner Summit, Bull Trout Campground to the Forest Service (FS) Road 579 turnoff.

Turn (west) onto FS Road 579 at Banner Creek/Cape Horn Summit. There is a big parking area and an information board.

Travel along FS Road 579 through Bear Valley and past the Elk Creek Guard Station Cabins. FS Road 579 will intersect with FS Road 555. At this junction, turn left and proceed south along FS Road 555 to the reservoir.





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