This Bureau of Land Management site provides free dispersed camping along a dirt road extension beyond Celebration Park. Campers access the area via Victory Lane, which transitions from paved to rough terrain requiring careful navigation to reach the furthest camping spots. The site sits near the Snake River with a three-day camping limit enforced.
Water access requires navigating a steep, slippery descent to the river. No fresh water, fires, or restroom facilities are available on-site. Hikers using the non-vehicle trail may pass through camping areas. Large wildlife frequent the area at night. Cell service reaches this location, and the site accommodates both drive-in and walk-in camping with picnic tables provided. Campers can explore additional places to camp near Murphy for more developed options in the region.
Description
ATTN: Fires not allowed at this site
Named after brothers Al and Roy Halverson who once farmed property to the north, the Halverson Bar and Halverson Lake area is unique for its curving two-mile sandbar along the Snake River and its two shallow lakes nestled below the rimrock and tall sand dunes. The Halverson Bar and Halverson Lake area is located at the western end of the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). This 1,200 acre area is managed for non-motorized recreational activities. Motorized uses are not allowed in the area. The lakes were originally natural depressions that accumulated water seasonally and were sustained by small springs. The lakes have since been deepened by homesteaders and farmers. Today, most of the water in Halverson Lakes comes from irrigation run-off from the upland plateau. Decades ago the lakes were stocked with fish - blue gill, bass, and crappie - which are the primary catch today. Cliffs and sloping bluffs of basalt separate the shoreline and canyon bottom from the upland desert. Basaltic boulders, deposited by the flooding waters of Lake Bonneville 15,000 years ago, lie like giant-size melons on the sandy bar. The area includes a gravel parking area and several miles of hiking trails.
Reservation Info
Fires are not allowed at this site
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundHalverson Bar/Lake is located in Idaho
Directions
Halverson Bar is located along the Snake River approximately 6 miles southeast of Melba, Idaho or about 15 miles southwest of Kuna. The closest access to Halverson Bar is from the east end of Celebration Park. From Celebration Park follow the dirt road along the Snake River about 1 mile to a very small parking area. The area can also be accessed by driving about 4 miles downstream from Swan Falls Dam along the Snake River to the gate and then hiking about 3 miles downstream. (See directions to Celebration Park and Swan Falls Picnic Area for more details)
Coordinates
43.15281904 N
116.44270518 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/5/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/5/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Pets
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Halverson Bar/Lake needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 6 min from Boise, ID
- 2 hrs 27 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 3 hrs 46 min from Pocatello, ID
- 4 hrs 29 min from Walla Walla, WA
