Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Ice Cave Boondock - Dispersed BLM Camping

3 Reviews

About

Bureau of Land Management

Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources.

Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.

Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days.

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Access

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

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Hawkin S.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2023

Decent spot to crash

There is not much exciting about this area if I am being honest. It's a good spot to set up and sleep for the night. There are not really any good views, and there aren't a ton of dedicated sites/fire rings. You just kind of have to pick a spot and setup. It worked fine to sleep at for one night, but I probably wouldn't spend an extended stay here.

There was a river at the end of the road with one part that could potentially be used for cliff jumping. I didn't know if you could swim in this water though or how deep it really was so I didn't test it.

Month of VisitSeptember

Christopher S.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2021

Simple great for when in a pinch

Nice and breezy and easy nothing fancy but if you need a place to lay down for then night close to highway its great. I have Verizon and service

Siteit’s open

Month of VisitJuly

Mike E.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 6, 2021

Gravel road turnout near Shoshone Ice Cave Idaho

This site is across the highway from the entrance to the Shoshone Ice Cave attraction on highway 75. If you are heading north on 75, turn right at the gift shop on the right side of the road. Proceed down the gravel road east and make a left at the first curve to the left. Right after the curve, you'll see a small concrete bridge on the right that crosses the canal. Park in the open area just across the canal. You are between the canal and the Big Wood river which is dry in the summer months. What's nice about this spot is privacy and isolation. It's a great spot near both Shoshone Ice Cave and Just a few miles from Mammoth Cave. The site is next to an old lava flow which is incredible to see and explore. Wildlife we saw includes deer and owls, wood peckers and many other birds.

There's a couple bars of Verizon here. Nice hiking and exploring the river bottom and some water-carved rocks. Just a few miles north on 75 is Black Magic Canyon which has some larger more impressive water carved rocks. You can hike the stream bed. There is an information sign about this at the intersection of 75 and Black Magic Road. Be careful as the water agencies can release water anytime. They suggest you call before hiking the stream bed. By the way - free RV dump station in the town of Shoshone 16 mile south.

Month of VisitJune