LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Camel Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainAbout Camel Falls
Camel Falls is a named waterfall in the Owyhee uplands of Owyhee County, on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Bruneau Field Office (USGS Wagon Box Basin quadrangle). Lidar mapping suggests a drop of about 95 feet, but it is likely highly seasonal and may flow only during spring snowmelt. No trail, trailhead or published route to the falls could be found, and the area is remote with rough roads and no services.
The Setting
Camel Falls sits at 5,449 feet within Bruneau Field Office, in the high mountains of Idaho.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
No trail to Camel Falls is documented. Distance and elevation gain are unknown.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail to Camel Falls is not wheelchair accessible due to uneven terrain and elevation changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Camel Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on BLM public land; keep them under control, as there are no developed trails or facilities here.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Camel Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring snowmelt is the only time this likely seasonal fall is expected to flow.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow.
Safety Information
Hikers should be prepared for changing weather conditions and carry appropriate gear. The trail may be slippery after rain, and there is limited cell service in the area. Always let someone know your plans before heading out.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Deep Creek, 19.1 miles away, not on Camel Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
1 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Higher than usual for this time of year
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
The water is flowing higher than usual for this time of year.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a regional waterway. Conditions at the falls may differ, especially after local rain.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge DEEP CREEK ABOVE MOUTH NR RIDDLE, ID (31 km away).
Today
Strong
1 cfs
10/10Tomorrow
Strong
1 cfs
10/10Tue
Roaring
1 cfs
6/10Wed
Roaring
1 cfs
6/10Thu
Roaring
1 cfs
6/10Fri
Roaring
1 cfs
6/10Sat
Roaring
1 cfs
6/10Best window: Today — strong flow, sunny (trip score 10/10).
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Murphy hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Camel Falls Frozen?
Updated about 17 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Camel Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 55°F to 32°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 1 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Idaho.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The ground through the falls loses about 136 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 5,466 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 40 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 77 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face southwest and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 5,466 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 136 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Southwest
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The falls are in remote BLM country in southern Owyhee County, far from paved roads. No trailhead or route is documented; consult a BLM Bruneau Field Office map and carry navigation tools.
Get Directions on Google MapsElevation
5,449 feet above sea level
Coordinates
42.544998° N, -116.622958° W
Land Management
Managed by BLM
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. Check weather conditions before visiting, as the trail can become difficult to navigate in wet or snowy conditions. Cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly.
This trail sits at 5,449 ft above sea level
Elevated TrailUV radiation is roughly 22% stronger at this elevation than at sea level, and the dry air accelerates dehydration. Extra sun protection and fluids go a long way.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Where to Stay
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
North Fork Campground
18.6 miles away · 0 sites
A small popular semi-developed site offers camping and picnicking in the scenic beauty of the North Fork of the Owyhee River Canyon, much of which was designated Wilderness in March 2009. There is no potable water at this site.
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Camel Falls, Idaho
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Thomas Flats Warm Spring
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Indian Bathtub Hot Springs
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Lower Indian Bathtub Hot Springs
Lower Indian Bathtub Hot Springs flows at 108 degrees Fahrenheit with a discharge of 1.0 cubic feet per second -- a substantial...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Camel Falls, Idaho on SoakingSprings.
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