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Boatycall's avatar
Boatycall
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015

TRIP REPORT - Lost Moose Campground, North Idaho

Been a while since I've done a trip report. Last year was a rough year for me, had more bad luck on trips than good....

But I have to say, like that old guy that is on those beer commercials... "I don't normally stay at campgrounds, but when I do, I stay at Lost Moose Campground."

I REALLY debated whether or not to write this, because I LOVED the place, and didn't want everyone flooding it! If you're into casual offroad riding, this place is for you. You can ride your quad/Side by Side anywhere except the Interstate - through towns, logging roads, we even went bar-hopping on quads!

It's a really small privately owned campground off I-90, south of the bustling metropolis of Cataldo (one bar, post office, no gas station or grocery store, that's it). Due south of I90 8 miles, first 2 are paved, the other 6 are the dustiest logging road you've ever gone down.

But it's worth it.

Fred and Sharon own the place, he's retired ID DOT. They run it with thier son and his wife (sorry, forgot their names). Being retired ID DOT - he keeps the road and and driveway completely dust-free with a water truck twice a day. You'd never know you were camping off a dirt road. insects - In a week I think I counted 6 mosquitoes. Flies and bees were normal for the woods.

The place was IMMACULATE. Fred takes great care of the landscaping. There's only like 15 spots. Spots range in size from TC-only size to full 42 foot Toyahauler. We had 8 rigs total, and every size, shape and size.

Trip report, here I am hitched up ready to go....


Coming east on I-90 going down into the Columbia River Gorge at Vantage. I didn't take many pics of the drive because I was, well, driving...



Over the river and through the woods...





Finally here!





Big office...



Big camping spaces...



Set up for night#1





Next morning, beautiful weather.





My co-pilot. And don't be hatin' on the speakers... we had the entire campground for our group and our group alone. Country music, BBQ, and campfire was the SOP for the week. Fred and Sharon (owners) loved it!





First trail ride -- up to Baldy Peak, a stop at Crystal Lake Trailhead.





Baldy Peak. 47.3638 -116.411695







Next day, another ride through the woods



And what my buddy's black, orange and white RZR looked like....



Next day, lunch and bar hoppin' into town on the quads. The Mission Inn at Cataldo - great burgers, cute waitresses!



Next stop, King's Inn, bartender said it was built in 1874.









A couple locals...



Wallace ID...



Last bar stop, Pioneer Lodge in Wallace ID.









  • Heheh, nice.
    I like your Trailer setup with the awning etc...

    and the Water holes for the 'Horses"...
    looks like a great, fun trip...
  • Oh Great!!! Now everyone knows why us Natives loves this state!! LOL

    I hope you were able to visit the Cataldo Mission!!

    I was born not too far from there at a Navy base called Farragut, now a State Park.

    Glad you liked it and I hope you return soon!!
  • The river photo is proof that you found the lost moose... both of 'em.
  • Nice.. Used to live at Rose Lake /Kingston and up the North Fork by the saw mill I worked at. My favorite was always the Snake Pit and there buffalo burgers. Favorite drive and Camping was over moon pass out of Wallace to Avery.. Nice country and lots to see.

    Nice write up.
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    Wait, you guys can see the pics?!?

    I tried reloading the page, but they are still all blank for me.
  • Naio wrote:
    Wait, you guys can see the pics?!?

    I tried reloading the page, but they are still all blank for me.


    I can see all the pics EXCEPT the one of the "cute waitresses"! ??
  • WA and OR are much more oppressive in OHV laws although WA is working at making it better through the WATV program which allows restricted use on roadways. Two of my buggies are unrestricted street plated allowing us to visit the coastal beach highways and various mountain forest roads. Once you get to ID and MT, OHV's parked outside of businesses is common.

    We just returned from Long Beach, WA and used this to run around town and on the beach:



  • Thanks for the trip report. Looks like a great place to stop with the side X side. Idaho is a great state for ATV/UTV's.
  • Great trip report, thank you! I can see how I could get the hang of this Quad-thingy in an area like this :-)

    Thanks,
    Joerg