Warm Lake Campground sits on the eastern shore of Warm Lake in Boise National Forest, roughly 21 miles northeast of places to camp around Cascade via a paved road that reviewers consistently describe as easy to navigate with RVs up to 60 feet. The campground runs from late May through mid-September, with sites featuring concrete pads, picnic tables, and fire pits. No pets are allowed, and cell service is essentially nonexistent here, so paper maps are worth packing.
Water access is the main draw. Warm Lake is close enough to walk to, and a trail circles the full perimeter of the lake, though some sections pass through dense forest where wildlife sightings are not uncommon. A boat ramp provides entry for kayaks and canoes, and motorized boats are restricted after 6 p.m. Trout fishing draws consistent interest, and a small swim beach sits near the Warm Lake Lodge, which also operates a restaurant and a camp store for basic resupply needs. Boise National Forest Shoreline Campground, about half a mile west, is an alternative for campers who want to stay close to the lake with a different site configuration.
The campground draws crowds, particularly from local visitors on summer weekends, so reservations are worth making in advance. Misty J. describes it as "clean and well maintained," and notes that dark skies make it a good spot for stargazing after the day's activity winds down. Rates run $20 to $40 per night depending on site type, which includes drinking water and trash service.
Description
Overview
Warm Lake Campground is near the eastern shore of beautiful Warm Lake, at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and viewing local wildlife.
Recreation
Warm Lake offers great fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. Boating, canoeing and swimming are popular activities. A developed swim beach is available less than a quarter-mile away, at Warm Lake Lodge. Billy Rice Swim Beach is just over a mile from the campground, on the north side of the lake. The area offers a day-use site for picnicking and swimming. A boat ramp is located at nearby Shoreline Campground. The surrounding area offers great hiking, mountain biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding, and hunting. The WeWuKiye (Wa Wu Kia) Trail No. 252 was recently built and can be accessed at Shoreline Campground. It is popular for hiking and mountain biking. For off-road vehicle enthusiasts, Telephone Ridge Trail No. 112 offers 20 miles of trails for all riding levels, with staging areas within the campground and up the road at Shoreline Campground.
Facilities
This small campground provides campsites equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring and grill. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided at the campground, but electricity is not available. Roads and parking spurs within the facility are gravel. The lake is not visible from the campground.
Natural Features
The campground is situated in a scenic forest of towering, old-growth ponderosa pine, which provides partial shade in the campground. Chipmunk Creek runs alongside the campground. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A variety of wildlife including bears, deer, elk, fox, grouse, eagles, osprey, grosbeaks, whooping cranes and otters, lives around the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Warm Lake Lodge is located across the road from the campground and has a restaurant and small store with camping and fishing essentials.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBoise National Forest Warm Lake Campground is located in Idaho near Cascade
Directions
From Boise, Idaho, travel 85 miles north on Highway 55 to Cascade. Turn east on Warm Lake Highway and travel 25 miles to Forest Road 579KA. Turn south and travel a short distance to the campground.
Address
P.O. BOX 696
Cascade, ID 83611
Coordinates
44.6522222 N
115.6555556 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 14 min from Boise, ID
- 3 hrs 52 min from Lewiston, ID
- 3 hrs 58 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 5 hrs 39 min from Walla Walla, WA




















