Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Sitting along Highway 20 east of Arco, this rest area doubles as an overnight stop for travelers crossing central Idaho's high desert. Four covered picnic tables sit east of the main rest area building, with grassy patches nearby that can accommodate tents. Camping status is ambiguous. No signage prohibits it, but none explicitly permits it either, so RV travelers overnighting here tend to feel more at ease than tent campers. The facility includes a restroom building with a drinking fountain, trash bins, and reported cell service. Pets are allowed. Reviewers note the site stays clean and sits away from highway noise, with open sightlines toward the surrounding desert terrain. It works best as a one-night layover rather than a destination camp.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsBig Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20 is located in Idaho near Arco

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

43.54841624 N
113.0088773 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 9 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/7/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 9 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/7/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20 needs a permit.

Drive Time


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Reviews2 Camper Reviews - Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20

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3.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed May. 30, 2025

Great rest area

Off the HWY, quiet and very clean. Beautiful terrain, and natural landscapes surrounding . We even heard coyotes in the middle of the night.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20 by Risen F., May 30, 2025
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Reviewed Jun. 5, 2023

Great Facilities, but not so great for tents

Here’s my take on the Big Lost River Rest Area … there are 4 picnic tables with individual shelters to the east of the rest area. There is some reasonable grassy bits that are ok for pitching a tent. There’s no signs to say you can’t camp here, but equally no indication that camping is allowed. There’s a really good restroom building with a drinking fountain, and garbage bins. I think that parking up a RV for the night would be ok, but as for camping, you might feel the need to stealth camp.

SiteNext to one of the picnic tables
Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20 have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20 does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and excellent coverage for Verizon.