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Big Hank Campground is located along the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River in Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Shore fishing is a large draw, along with local hiking and biking trails. The campground also provides an excellent base camp for hunters during season.
Wildlife like mule deer, moose, osprey and calliope hummingbirds are often spotted.
Tubing on the river is a popular summertime activity, as is cutthroat fishing.
Whitewater rafting enthusiasts enjoy the class I-III rapids down the river.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are a short drive away. Highlights include trails to Centennial Falls, Shadow Falls and Settler's Grove of Ancient Cedars.
Big Hank Campground offers about 30 spacious campsites for tent camping. Drinking water from hand pumps, vault toilets, picnic tables and established fire rings are among the conveniences offered. Roads and campsite parking spurs are paved.
Big Hank is in a heavily wooded area on the banks of the Couer D' Alene River and Big Hank Creek. At 2,800 feet elevation, the campground sits on the Big Hank Meadow.
From Kingston on I-90, take Exit 43 to FH-9 and drive 20 miles north to Prichard, then turn left and continue 17 miles north on FH Road 208 to campground.
Used to be a gem, albeit a gem with loud RV generators at 4 am. Now, due to a poor logging job, there is barely a flat spot in the entire 30 sites for a tent. Looks like a post apocalyptic forest dystopia.
You can tell that it once was probably the best campground out of the bunch up here. Not anymore.
Recently (see other reviews) a contracted lumber company came into to remove, "Hazard Trees". They obviously did a poor job, or just never finished the project. A large amount of slash is all over the campground. There also are numerous large in-ground pits that they used to burn the slash and left behind the partially burned slash and stumps. The only benefit is that you only have to go a few feet to get all the wood you want for to build a fire in the official fire pits. Also, the campground was mostly deserted so if you want to avoid neighbors...
The best part is that a good number of campsites abut up to the river. The campsites themselves are a good size and the area remains moderately wooded so there is a little bit of privacy left. You may find a few sites within the campground that are fairly good with no ground slash or ugly burned out stumps.
The logging company hired by the Forrest Service has devastated this camp ground. Horrible management by Coeur d’Alene Forrest District!
We went at the end of the camping season (last week before it closes) and found it to be a good closer. Little traffic, only one other camper the entire time we there. The camp hosts came to check up on us and made us feel welcomed. We were told they were going to get renovations in the foreseeable future so people complaining will get satisfied. Overall, great campground with river access. No light pollution to there is amazing star gazing.
