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Signs & Maps

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Halverson Bar/Lake

Halverson Bar/Lake is located near the Snake River in Idaho, featuring flat terrain with sandy areas and sparse vegetation. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer, offering varied conditions for camping throughout the year. Nearby, visitors can explore Celebration Park, known for its petroglyphs and hiking trails.

Description

Bureau of Land Management

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

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Location

Halverson Bar/Lake is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

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

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Poor
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

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.

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


Reviews

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 23, 2020

Lava rocks and prickly bush with a view

Its pretty close to the snake river, and at the trailhead of a non vehicle trail. Its after Celebration Park on Victory Ln, you drive around the park and it turns into a dirt road. BLM or County land I think. Not many folks here. Smells like horse droppings. Pretty rough terrain getting to the end. There was a sign about a mile back that said “3 day camping limit”. You can get to the water, but its a slippery and steep trip. Its beautiful otherwise. There are big critters out here sniffing and jumping onto my camper, making my dog go crazy. Free camping, dispersed, no fresh water, no fires allowed. Hikers going to the trail will walk past your site if you park on the road turnouts... so dont shower outside... lessons learned.

  • Review photo of Halverson Bar/Lake by Jonathan A., September 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Halverson Bar/Lake by Jonathan A., September 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Halverson Bar/Lake by Jonathan A., September 23, 2020
  • (7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Halverson Bar/Lake have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Halverson Bar/Lake does not have wifi.