Campers escaped without reported injuries after a flash flood sent a massive debris flow through Grandjean Campground in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest.
The flood swept mud, rocks and trees through the campground and nearby trailhead. More than a dozen vehicles were damaged, with some left partially buried beneath the debris. A camper trailer was also swept away.
Photos shared by the Boise County Sheriff’s Office show large sections of the campground completely unrecognizable. The nearby Sawtooth Lodge was spared and remains open.
Grandjean Campground Closed Indefinitely
The U.S. Forest Service has closed Grandjean Campground and the Grandjean Trailhead for the foreseeable future, calling both areas inaccessible and unsafe. No reopening date has been announced.
Cleanup crews are expected to begin by redirecting water away from the campground. The area must then dry before heavy equipment can begin removing vehicles, trees, rocks and other debris.
Wapiti Fire Burn Scar Increased Flood Risk
The area surrounding Grandjean Campground was heavily burned during the 2024 Wapiti Fire, which scorched more than 129,000 acres. The fire left hillsides with less vegetation to hold soil and debris in place.
Before the storm, the National Weather Service warned that heavy rainfall over the burn scar could produce life-threatening flash flooding and debris flows.
Visitors should check current Sawtooth National Forest alerts before traveling to the Grandjean area.
