Blackfoot Reservoir: A guide to camping, fishing, and the mystery of Doc Wilson’s children’s grave

Last Updated on 2026-02-01 by NatureCrank

Blackfoot Reservoir, located in Bingham and Caribou Counties in southeastern Idaho, spans approximately 16,888 acres and is the second-largest reservoir in the region. The reservoir was created during the construction of Blackfoot Dam, which was completed in 1911 by the Bureau of Reclamation.

The reservoir was designed for irrigation purposes to support agriculture in the surrounding areas. The dam predates the formation of Caribou County in 1919, highlighting its early significance to the region’s development. The reservoir and its surrounding area are part of the Blackfoot Volcanic Field and which is close to Soda Springs.

The name “Blackfoot” originates from the Blackfoot Confederacy, a group of Native American tribes who historically used the area. Fur traders in the 19th century referenced the Blackfoot Indians while trapping and trading in the region. The Blackfoot people acquired horses and firearms from white traders in the 18th century, which enhanced their mobility and influence in the area.

The reservoir’s upper river was once a premier fishery in the 1970s and 1980s, known for abundant and large fish, though its ecological conditions have since changed due to various factors.

It is a hub for recreation and Idaho history. Whether you are looking for BLM camping near the Blackfoot River or hunting for local legends, this area offers a unique high-desert experience.

The history of Doc Wilson’s children’s grave site

At the intersection of Bone Road (often misspelled as Bone Toad) and Government Dam Road, you’ll find a poignant piece of Idaho history. Marked by iron fencing at coordinates 43.026957, -111.707941, this site tells a somber story of the pioneer era.

Why the dates on the grave marker are a mystery

According to the Idaho State Journal, the burial site dates from the 1880s or 1890s, though the modern wooden sign suggests the early 1900s. This discrepancy only adds to the local lore. The children, a brother and sister, succumbed to diphtheria—a bacterial infection that claimed 30–50% of its victims before the 1920s vaccine.

The little cross was gray and weathered. It had been made of cedar and was 100 years old, or maybe more (1880-1890). Two little children had been buried there, a brother and a sister. They were both under 10 years of age and died of diphtheria.

There were two brothers from England, the Wilson brothers, ‘Doc’ Wilson and his brother C.H. Wilson. They had ranches next to each other on the north side of the river. The land is now covered with water from the Blackfoot Reservoir. The Wilsons each built a large home. The houses were moved when the government bought the land for the Blackfoot Dam and Reservoir and were used by the construction workers. They were later burned by the caretaker. — Lois Bates (See the website for more of the story).

Diphtheria devastated families, as it often struck multiple children in a household, and quarantine measures disrupted livelihoods. Public fear was intense, with hospitals and isolation wards overwhelmed during outbreaks. By the late 1890s, advances like the antitoxin and early vaccine development started to curb its impact, but it remained a dreaded disease until widespread vaccination in the 1920s and 1930s.

The now, weathered sign reads:

IN MEMORY OF

DOC WILSONS TWO CHILDREN

WHO DIED OF DIPTHERIA

EARLY 1900’S

BINGHAM CO. HIST SOC.

Campgrounds surrounding Blackfoot Reservoir and Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot Reservoir area offers several camping options, primarily managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

3 things to know before you go

1. Fishing regulations: The Blackfoot River has special rules to protect the Yellowstone cutthroat trout. In many sections, you must use barbless hooks and artificial lures only. Always check the current Idaho Fish and Game seasons.
2. Cell service: Expect zero bars once you drop into the river canyons. Download your maps on OnX Offroad or Google Maps before leaving Soda Springs.
3. The “Soda Springs” stop: On your way in, stop at Geyser Park in Soda Springs to see the world’s only “captive” geyser, which erupts on the hour.

Blackfoot Reservoir and Blackfoot River campgrounds at-a-glance

Blackfoot Reservoir Campground

• Location: Situated off Idaho State Highway 34, near the southern end of the reservoir on Dike Road, between Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Soda Springs, Idaho.
• Amenities: This BLM-managed campground offers 16 developed campsites (including the host site), six developed day-use sites, one large group site, and 12 semi-developed campsites. Three are available by reservation online through Recreation.gov and the rest on a first-come, first-served basis. Amenities include full hook-up campsites, restrooms, two boat ramps, and parking. The campground operates with an annual fee season from May 15th through September 15th. This is a fee area.
• Activities: The reservoir’s 18,000+ acre surface, when full, supports various outdoor activities. It is popular for fishing, boating, and water recreation (kayaks, rafts, standup paddle boards, swimming, etc.).

Graves Creek Campground (Blackfoot River)

• Location: Off Lincold Creek Rd, Firth, ID. 43.04466885842634, -111.91024794232821. Google Maps link.
• Amenities: This BLM managed campground has five semi-developed sites. There are picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and a horseshoe ring. First come, first served. No fees. Pack it in, pack it out.
• Activities: Camping, fishing, non-motorized boating.

Sage Hen Flats Campground (Blackfoot River)

• Location: Off Corral Creek Rd outside of Soda Springs, ID. 43.02049261075198, -111.8264483032257. Google Maps link.
• Amenities: This BLM managed campground has four semi-developed sites. There are picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and a horseshoe ring. First come, first served. No fees. Pack it in, pack it out.
• Activities: Camping, fishing, non-motorized boating.

Cutthroat Trout Campground (Blackfoot River)

• Location: Situated on the Blackfoot River, near Pocatello, Idaho, in the Idaho High Country, it is accessible via Blackfoot River Road, about 30 miles east of Pocatello. 43.03933761462282, -111.85601463881443. Google Maps link.
• Amenities: This BLM-managed campground offers three semi-developed sites with a vault toilet, fire rings, and a horseshoe pit. First come, first served. No fees.
• Activities: The river allows boating (non-motorized, like kayaks, rafts, or stand-up paddleboards). It is also a place for picnicking and wildlife viewing.

Morgans Bridge Campground (Blackfoot River)

• Location: Situated by the Blackfoot River, it is accessible via Paradise Road. 43.05846498226777, -111.92316226190597. Google Maps link.
• Amenities: This BLM-managed campground offers 12 semi-developed sites with a vault toilet (two walk-in), and fire rings. First come, first served. No fees. Pack it in, pack it out.
• Activities: The river allows boating (non-motorized like kayaks, rafts, or stand-up paddleboards). It is also a place for picnicking and wildlife viewing.

Tail Creek Bridge Campground (Blackfoot River)

• Location: Situated by the Blackfoot River, it is accessible via Cliffs Drive, Pocatello, ID. 43.132332519631184, -111.91211342807142. Google Maps link.
• Amenities: This BLM-managed campground offers six semi-developed sites (two upriver and four downriver) with a vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire rings. First come, first served. No fees. Pack it in, pack it out.
• Activities: The river allows boating (non-motorized, like kayaks, rafts, or stand-up paddleboards). It is also a place for picnicking and wildlife viewing.

Bonus: Finding fossils and dendritic pseudofossils in southeastern Idaho

While exploring the Blackfoot Volcanic Field near Soda Springs, keep an eye out for fossils and dendritic pseudofossils. These are often mistaken for fossilized ferns, but they are actually inorganic mineral formations.

Remember, the Blackfoot River and the reservoir are surrounded by private lands, BLM land, Bureau of Indian Affairs land, Idaho State land, and other tribal lands. Know before you go. Apps like OnX Offroad can be helpful in determining who owns the land. They offer a week trial.

What are dendritic pseudofossils?

Dendritic pseudofossils are inorganic mineral formations, typically manganese or iron oxides, that create branching, tree-like patterns resembling fossilized plants or organic structures. They form through chemical precipitation in the cracks or porous layers of sedimentary rocks, like limestone or shale, where mineral-rich fluids flow and deposit in dendritic (branching) shapes due to capillary action or diffusion. Common examples include pyrolusite or other manganese dendrites.

Unlike true fossils, they lack organic material or cellular structure and are purely geological in origin. Their deceptive appearance often leads to misidentification as fossilized ferns or algae, but microscopic analysis or chemical testing reveals their non-biological nature. They’re found globally in various rock types and are valued for their aesthetic patterns in geology and mineral collecting.

If you find one, remember to respect land boundaries; the area is a patchwork of BLM, Idaho State, and Tribal lands.

Enough nerd talk! Until next time.

Frequently asked questions about Blackfoot Reservoir