BLM Idaho Falls Field Office — Big Southern Butte Corridor Dispersed Camp

Big Southern Butte is a rhyolite dome that juts dramatically off the Snake River Plain, visible for miles in every direction. BLM-managed dispersed camping along the gravel roads looping toward and around the Butte puts you in a surreal high-desert landscape — black lava, big sage, and that imposing dome overhead. Pull-offs are informal and well-used by hunters and geologists. No water, no toilets, no shade. Wind is the constant companion. It runs free and quiet out here — good dark skies for stargazing given the distance from Idaho Falls light pollution.

Access is via gravel two-tracks south of Atomic City or via roads off US-26. High-clearance is recommended; 4WD helps when roads are wet or snowy. The Butte road itself can get rocky near the top. This corridor sits within a reasonable staging loop from the Paved Coffer to Hells Half Acre trail — roughly 20 miles southwest of the western terminus. Confirm fire restrictions with BLM Idaho Falls before any open fire.

Camp beneath Idaho's most dramatic volcanic dome.