Reservations are available at Amanita, and on holiday weekends they matter. This Forest Service campground on Cascade Reservoir sits within Payette National Forest, running from mid-May through mid-September at $20 per night. A handful of sites are first-come, first-served, including at least one directly on the lake, but most require booking in advance. RVs up to 40 feet can access the campground, and the drive in is straightforward, though firewood collection requires a 4x4 and some attention to property boundaries on nearby forest roads.
Water access is the defining feature here. Several sites front the reservoir directly, and campers have used the shoreline for kayak launches and swimming. Worth noting: the lake can develop toxic algae blooms in summer, which may close it to swimming, so checking conditions before arrival is worthwhile. The beach drops off at most site edges, making easy water entry harder to find than the lakefront location might suggest. Site 9 has direct beach access, though others tend to walk through that site to reach the water.
Shade and privacy have been inconsistent in recent visits. A 2025 reviewer noted the loss of many mature trees, leaving sites more exposed than before, with limited privacy between neighbors. Cell coverage is a practical plus. Both AT&T and Verizon users have reported reliable signal, which is uncommon for lakeside Forest Service camping in this region. Mosquitoes are present, particularly near the inlet by site 10, and they tend to increase as the season progresses. Donnelly, a short drive northeast, has a small grocery store for resupply. Campers with dogs will find Amanita workable, and those exploring dog-friendly camping near Payette National Forest will find several options in the surrounding area. Nearby alternatives include Rainbow Point to the north and Huckleberry Campground to the northeast. Pack bug spray, and book early if your dates fall near a holiday weekend.
Description
Overview
Amanita Campground is located next to scenic Lake Cascade in west-central Idaho. It is near the town of Donnelly, at an elevation of 4,850 feet. Boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are popular activities in this scenic region.
Recreation
Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. A boat ramp is located at the neighboring Rainbow Point Campground. Many hiking and ATV trails are in the area as well.
Facilities
This small campground contains single-family campsites, with picnic tables, campfire rings and grills. Some sites have lake views and shoreline access. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided, but there is no electricity at the campground. Roads and parking spurs within the facility are gravel. A campground host can be located at Rainbow Point Campground.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on the west shore of the lake, among a mixed-growth conifer forest that towers over the campground. Summer wildflowers are abundant in the area. A wide variety of wildlife makes its home around the lake. Waterfowl and songbirds can also be seen in the area, as well as pelicans and bald eagles.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsAmanita is located in Idaho near Donnelly
Directions
From Boise, Idaho, take Highway 55 north for 95 miles to Donnelly. Turn west on West Roseberry Road and travel 1.5 miles to Norwood Road. Turn south and continue one mile to Tamarack Falls Road. From there, turn west and go just over a mile to West Mountain Road. Turn south and go a mile to the campground.
Address
P.O. BOX 696
Cascade, ID 83611
Coordinates
44.7019444 N
116.1313889 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/13/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 6/2/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/13/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 6/2/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 57 min from Boise, ID
- 3 hrs 5 min from Lewiston, ID
- 3 hrs 41 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 4 hrs 52 min from Walla Walla, WA


















