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Nature
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Roads
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Facilities
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Camping

Established Camping

Swinging Bridge

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from September 2, 2024 through March 23, 2025.

Swinging Bridge, near Boise, Idaho, is a cozy campground that offers a straightforward camping experience right off Highway 55. It’s a small spot, perfect for those who enjoy the sound of the nearby Payette River and don’t mind a bit of road noise.

This campground is primarily geared towards tent camping, with some sites suitable for RVs, though larger rigs might find it a tight squeeze. Visitors have noted the clean restrooms and friendly camp host, making it a pleasant place to set up camp. As one camper mentioned, “Super clean campground. Clean restrooms. The camp host was really friendly.”

While there are no showers or electric hookups, you’ll find vault toilets and drinking water available. The shaded areas provide a nice respite from the sun, and the proximity to the river makes it a great spot for a quick dip or some fishing. Just remember to bring your swimsuit!

For those looking to explore, the surrounding Boise National Forest offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. Whether you’re just passing through or planning a longer stay, Swinging Bridge is a solid choice for a laid-back camping experience.

Description

National Forest

Boise National Forest

Overview

Swinging Bridge Campground is located 10 miles north of Banks, Idaho just off Highway 55 at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The North Fork Payette River flows next to the highway, where extreme kayaking is a popular activity.

Recreation

The North Fork of the Payette River is a very popular location for expert kayaking. Whitewater rafting is nearby on the Main and South Fork sections of the Payette River. Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.

Facilities

The North Fork of the Payette River is a very popular location for expert kayaking. Whitewater rafting is nearby on the Main and South Fork sections of the Payette River. Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.

Natural Features

The campground is situated is a scenic canyon just above Highway 55. The mountains are forested with a mix of Ponderosa and lodgepole pines and shade is plentiful within most of the campground. Summer days are warm, reaching 80-90 degrees; nights are cooler.

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Location

Swinging Bridge is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Horseshoe Bend, ID, take State Rt. 55 north for 21.5 miles to the campground sign. Turn left after the sign into the campground(on west side of highway).

Address

BOISE
ID

Coordinates

44.1715583 N
116.1209611 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
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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3.5

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2023

Nice campground!

Super clean campground. Clean restrooms. The camp host was really friendly and seemed like a straight up guy. We were the only ones at the campground on 8/14/23. As mentioned it is close to the road.

Site5
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2021

River & Road

The Swinging Bridge campground had the pros and cons of being right off of hwy 55. It’s easy to access the site and Payette River but you can hear the traffic.

Not an ideal site for big rigs. No showers or cell service but there are vault toilets.

Month of VisitJuly
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Reviewed May. 15, 2021

Close to Road and River

This is a small camp ground right off Highway 55 and across the Highway from the Payette river.  Lots of shade trees.  Not a lot of room for larger campers or RVs, mostly geared toward tent camping.  I did not get cell service here.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Swinging Bridge by Amy S., May 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Swinging Bridge by Amy S., May 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Swinging Bridge by Amy S., May 15, 2021
  • (14) View All
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2018

Small, near highway

It’s close to the highway 55 so it’s kind of loud with traffic. Very close to the river so bring your swimsuit

Site8
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Swinging Bridge by Derek S., August 13, 2018
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2016

Little road noise; Close to the river

This small loop of camp spots has one pit toilet and running water. The proximity to the road is close so you will get some road noise but the rushing river all but drowns it out most of the time. We didn't have any problems sleeping. This is a great spot to just pull over and set camp as we did without to much fuss. The spots all have a table and fire ring and the pit toilet wasn't bad. There is a camp host here if you need anything and they do run a generator. We barely noticed because of the river again.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Swinging Bridge?

    Swinging Bridge allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Does Swinging Bridge have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Swinging Bridge does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Swinging Bridge?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Swinging Bridge?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Swinging Bridge. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Swinging Bridge, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Swinging Bridge?

    There are 7 campsites at Swinging Bridge and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts