Best Venue in Southeastern Idaho for A Mountain Wedding: Camp Taylor
This blog post will explain why Camp Taylor is a great choice for an authentic, laidback, and camp style wedding in Southeastern Idaho. I will also cover considerations for planning, great local vendors, and other FAQs.
About Camp Taylor
Where is Camp Taylor?
Camp Taylor is a 35 minute drive from Pocatello, Idaho the closest city. The road is mainly paved except for the last couple of miles which are dirt. The closest airports are Pocatello Regional Airport and Idaho Falls Regional Airport. The closest international airport is Salt Lake City International Airport, a 2.5 hour drive from Pocatello. Here is a link to the website with more information.
Why plan your wedding at Camp Taylor?
Camp Taylor is an ideal location for anyone looking to plan a laidback, authentic, camp themed wedding. The camp is set in Caribou National Forest, surrounded by tall pines and not far from great views of the surrounding mountains. It is great for both small weddings and for weddings with over 100 guests. Guests can stay at cabins on site or there are many options for hotels and airbnbs in Pocatello. Camp Taylor has options for both indoor and outdoor receptions. With so many options and close proximity to Pocatello, Camp Taylor offers flexibility for couples to be creative with their celebration while enjoying gorgeous views and the peaceful natural setting.
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FAQs about Camp Taylor weddings
Do they have bathrooms?
Yes! There is a bathroom/shower house with 8 flushing toilets and 4 private shower stalls. For larger celebrations, there is enough room to bring in toilets as well. There are also vaulted (non-flush) toilets in several of the cabins as well.
Do they offer catering?
Catering is not included at the venue but there is a full kitchen with room for caterers to prepare and serve food in the lodge.
Do we need 4WD/AWD to get there?
The last couple of miles are on a dirt road but unless the road is muddy or snow covered, 4WD/AWD is not necessary. The road is closed in the winter and could only be accessed by ski, snow-shoe or snow mobile.
Do we need to bring in rentals?
There is room to bring in rentals for an outdoor reception but there are also picnic tables around the lodge and long tables inside the lodge for an indoor reception. Decorations are not provided. There are several picnic tables, benches, and also over 100 chairs on-site for use for wedding settings.
Planning your camp Taylor Wedding
Getting ready areas
The lodge cabin (adjacent to the lodge) has full bathroom facilities as well as a mirror and place to hang wedding attire/do hair and make up. This would be the best location if completing hair and make-up/getting ready on site.
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Cabins
Camp Taylor features 11 cabins. The Lodge cabin (adjacent to the Lodge) offers full restroom facility, with plans for an individual shower as part of the facility. The Nurses cabin also has full bathroom facility, also with plans to include individual shower facility in the spring of 2019. Four more cabins are located on the lower facility past the shower house. Crossing the creek on a foot bridge to the upper level, there are 4 cabins, featuring 6-8 beds each. One of these cabins, referred to as the Honeymoon cabin, is a two-room cabin with a wood burning stove. A vaulted toilet is available for these 4 cabins. On the other side of the creek, there are two more cabins. Hygieca is the largest cabin on site. It features a wood burning stove, and 14+ beds. An additional cabin is located behind the Hygieca. A vaulted toilet is also located near these two cabins. RV camping sites also available when facility is not reserved.
Full kitchen
The lodge offers a full kitchen facility (hot and cold water) that includes propane-operated full-sized refrigerator, 2 propane stoves, several sinks and plenty of room to cook for large groups. The lodge is also stocked with cooking items, dishes, pans, silverware. A large propane barbecue grill is available for outdoor grilling. There is a $15.00/hr charge for generator use.
Bathrooms
The facility offers a bathroom/shower house with 8 private stalls with flushing toilets and 4 private shower stalls. There are several vaulted (non-flush toilets) in some of the cabins as well and enough room on-site to bring in more toilets if desired.
Parking
There is a large grassy area in the center of camp that could be used for parking if desired (space for 15-20 vehicles). If a couple desired to have an outdoor reception there would be less room for parking on-site and a using shuttle service would be best.
Lookout point
While the camp itself is nestled into the pine trees, it is a short drive (3 minutes) or walk (10 minutes) from a lookout point which is ideal for bridals, first looks, and family photos if desired.
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Picnic tables
The picnic tables are great for cocktails and appetizers for guests before the ceremony or reception.
Tables inside
There are several tables inside the lodge for an indoor reception if desired.
Best time of year for a wedding at camp taylor
Camp Taylor is available for weddings and elopements throughout the whole year and could be the perfect setting for you depending on your vision for your wedding.
Summer
Summer is a beautiful time for a wedding at Camp Taylor for all the things that couples love about summer camp! Camp games, hikes, and summer time activities. One aspect to consider during the summer months is the possibility of wildfires and smoke. Wildfires are an unfortunate reality during Idaho summers and even if wildfires are not particularly close, smoke can travel over many miles and impact both air quality and photography. Idaho summer days can also be hot and buggy. It’s a good idea to keep bug spray/citronella candles on hand for a summer wedding at Camp Taylor as well as well as hand-held fans and sunscreen for ceremonies or receptions in the sun. While it is hot during the day it can get cold at night so best to bring a layer for night time activities like bonfires.
fall
Fall is great especially for COLORS. Camp Taylor is surrounded by pine trees but also some aspens that would show off lovely gold and yellow colors for a fall wedding. Depending on the month, it can still be quite warm during the day but cooler at night. It can be challenging to know exactly when the colors will be at peak but they generally fall between mid September and mid October.
winter
Camp Taylor is available through the ISU outdoor program during winter months. Three cabins are stocked with wood burning stoves and cooking equipment for winter use for show shoe, cross country skiing and snowmobile enthusiasts. This would be perfect for a winter adventure elopement or micro wedding with a smaller group of people.
Where to stay near Camp Taylor
While there are several cabins available for guests on-site, Pocatello is not far for any guests who prefer a hotel or Airbnb. Here are a few options:
Camp Taylor wedding packages
All fees are for a 24 hour day; a camping day begins at 2:00 PM of a calendar day, and terminates at 12:00 PM of the following calendar day.
For current rates, please contact the camp host Wendy. (208.406.2721) Camp Taylor now has a supplemental solar power source designed to reduce the expenses incurred during your stay. Additional power requirements will be subject to the generate fees above
Idaho Wedding vendors
Four Eyes Events
Sara and Emily Peyton are a sister duo that do not disappoint. They both have extensive coordinating experience both in weddings and in other large events. I have worked with them for a couple weddings now and they were all executed flawlessly. Not to mention they are so much fun, would definitely recommend :)
Flowers by LD
Since 1987, Flowers by LD has provided high quality and gorgeous floral arrangement services for Southeastern Idaho and beyond. They work with many local farms and travel around the globe to find the most high quality flowers for their clients. Josh was very professional and friendly throughout the wedding process, willing to work both with clients and other vendors to make sure that the wedding day went off without a hitch.
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Confections Bakery
Confections Bakery is also located in Pocatello and is connected to Flowers by LD with whom they often work. Nathan Chandler is a very talented and professional baker with skills that have been featured on Blue Ribbon Baking Championship on Netflix. Nathan was very professional and friendly, the dessert table was gorgeous, so tasty, and even included allergen warnings for wedding guests. He truly thought of everything.
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SAndtrap
The Sand Trap is local staple in Pocatello. As someone who is not necessary a “sports” person, it is my favorite sports bar in town because I love the food. Their catering services were great for Camp Taylor and the food was delicious. Their menu is truly unique and includes many different items and entrees not found in the restaurant. They can handle groups from 20 people up to 1500 and offer off-site beer, wine, and full bars for client convenience. Here’s a link ot the menu
LP&H Entertainment
I spoke with Adrian a few weeks before the wedding we worked together and he was so outgoing, kind, and excited about his work! He genuinely enjoys making music for his clients and is a joy to work with. He has lots of experiences DJing for weddings and other events and knows how to read the crowd for mood changes and music choices.
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Sky High Events
Sky High Events provides many different types of rentals from tables, chairs, and dishes, to bathrooms, dance floors, and tents. Their rentals were high quality and great to use.
Jim Dandy Brewing
Jim Dandy’s is a beloved local brewery in Pocatello. For lovers of good beer and good vibes, Dandy’s is the place to go. Their bartenders are always professional and friendly and the owners are great to work with.
Caitlin is such a kind and talented seamstress and artist for bridal attire. She arrived early on the wedding day to help the bride with the dress and get all of the detail photos that the bride had wanted. Since the first wedding that we worked together I’ve worked with Caitlin for other creative projects and all of her art has been gorgeous and very high quality. She is kind, professional, and great to work with!
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Hire your camp taylor wedding photographer
Julia Phelps Photography
I am a story-driven, hybrid photographer/videographer focused on capturing authentic love and connection in the Idaho mountains. In addition to photography, I offer 30-90 second video highlights available to add on to any photography package. In all of my wedding packages, I include location scouting, coordination with vendors and vendor recommendations, as well as an engagement session. With elopement packages, I include all of the aforementioned services as well as bilingual officiant services if elected. I grew up in the area around Camp Taylor, skiing there in the winter and hiking in the summer. With local knowledge and connections, I’d love to be part of your celebration and help bring your wedding/elopement dreams to life. Wedding/elopement hybrid photography/videography packages start at $3500.
Fun activities for your camp Taylor wedding
One of my favorite aspects of Camp Taylor is the large firepit for bonfires and activities like roasting s’mores or hot dogs. Additionally, there is a volley ball pit and two horseshoe pits for hours of entertainment.There is plenty of room for lawn games like corn hole as well. Beyond the entertainment on-site, the camp is located near several hiking (or skiing) trails depending on the season, perfect for multi-day weddings with time to explore and enjoy spending time together.
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A review from the couple
“Julia is the best! My husband and I had never gotten pictures done before our wedding, Julia made us feel so comfortable and captured us and our wedding perfectly! She really goes above and beyond, she met with us before the big day to make sure we were familiar with her process and reached out to all our vendors to coordinate pictures seamlessly. Her work is stunning and so special. She made taking pictures so fun and was absolutely wonderful to work with.”
