Meadow Lake Campground

State: Idaho

Open: Seasonal

Elevation: 9157

County: Lemhi

Meadow Lake Campground is located 24 miles south of Leadore. To get there, drive 17 miles south of Leadore on Highway 28 and turn right (west) on to Forest Service Road #002, a gravel road that climbs 2,080 feet to the campground. The campground underwent significan reconstruction during the summer of 2003. It is now a fee area with potable water, tent and trailor sites including sites accessible to the mobility impaired.

Meadow Lake lies at elevation of 9,160 feet and is 13.3 acres in size. The deepest point is 37.5 feet. It was once used to supply water to the town of Gilmore. Old timers tell of catching large fish from the lake in the early days. Now the lake is stocked twice in summer with Rainbow Trout.

Geology: A large glacier once covered this canyon. As the glacier moved down the canyon, a cirque (hollow) was formed, leaving a basin in which melting snow accumulates forming Meadow Lake. At 10,720 feet, Meadow Lake Peak towers above the lake. The predominate white-tannish rock in this area are quartzites.

Wildlife: Mule deer and mountain goats are the primary big game animals in this area. Mountain goats can be seen on the nearby mountain slopes and ridgetops. Early in the morning or towards evening, deer may be seen while driving back through the forested canyon bottom.