Tent campsites near Albion, Idaho range from simple dispersed sites to developed areas with basic amenities. The region sits at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during day and 45-55°F at night. Camping in this area requires preparation for rapid weather changes, particularly during July and August when afternoon thunderstorms are common.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Independence Lakes Campground, visitors can fish for recently stocked fish including grayling. "My son fished with hopes of catching a grayling. He took the winning photo of the lake!" notes Colette A.
Mountain biking: The Bread Loaves area offers excellent mountain biking access with trails starting directly from the parking area. Angela S. reports, "It was such a great location for climbing and mountain biking. A trail started right at the parking lot, which is where the bathroom is too."
Hiking challenges: The trail system around Independence Lakes provides multiple difficulty levels with significant elevation gain. According to Vanessa H., "There are 3 lakes and past the 3rd lake you are able to hike up to the top towards the cliff rocks where you can see the view down the lakes where it loops back down to the 2nd lake."
What campers like
Stargazing conditions: McClendon Spring Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. One camper noted, "Lights of a nearby town (Malta) could be seen from a distance making this spot even more lovely at night."
Wildlife viewing: The area around McClendon Spring attracts various bird species and occasional cattle. Rachele V. commented, "Great spot! Well maintained dirt road and toilet! Great hanging with all the cows. Amazing views!"
Solitude and quiet: Many campsites offer separation from other campers, particularly during weekdays. Kurt G. found, "Quiet spot and pretty easy to get to. We have the place to ourselves. Small spring and a stagnant pond, but the bugs are not bad."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require traveling on rough gravel roads. About Bear Gulch, Amanda M. warns, "After a long drive down a washboard dirt road for about 40 minutes we finally made it to the campground. Secure what you can as your stuff will vibrate everywhere."
Limited amenities: Most sites lack potable water and have minimal facilities. Maureen F. notes, "This is a typical BLM site. Be prepared with everything you might need. There is a vault toilet and people have thrown trash down it, so don't be those people."
Site availability concerns: Several campgrounds have very limited sites available. Michael U. found at McClendon Spring that "there is only 2 spots that I saw, both taken. Ended up pulling my truck next to the gate to get a few hours sleep."
Temperature variations: Expect significant temperature drops at night even during summer months. Amanda M. observed at Bear Gulch, "We came up here looking to escape the heat of the city and were not disappointed. It was a good 10 degrees cooler and cooled off quickly when the sun went down."
Tips for camping with families
Gear hauling preparation: When staying at Twin Sisters Group Campsite, plan for transporting your equipment from parking areas. James C. notes the campground has "one group site and multiple walk in tent sites, each with a good level pad."
Shade availability: For camping with children, select sites with natural shade. Alan B. reports at Third Fork Campground, "Each site has its own fire ring and picnic table with most also giving you a shady spot to set up a tent if you want."
Creek access for kids: Some campsites feature small creeks that can entertain children. According to Alan B., the Third Fork sites are "all lined up in a row next to the creek and trees."
Tips from RVers
Vehicle limitations: Many campgrounds near Albion have restricted RV access. At Bread Loaves Group Campsite, Angela S. explains, "We brought a camper and just parked it at the parking lot....I slept in it with my little ones....the rest of the group set up tents and hammocks down at the actual campsite."
High clearance requirements: Standard RVs may struggle with access roads. Cody E. shares about Independence Lakes: "We stopped at this campground hoping it was Trailer Friendly. We were able to get up to the parking lot but I wouldn't recommend it. If my trailer was not lifted we would have had issues."
Turnaround space: Some areas provide adequate room for larger vehicles to maneuver. At McClendon Spring, Al L. mentions there's "plenty of room to turn around" despite the "3 1/2 miles on a semi maintained gravel road."
