Best Campgrounds near Mesa, ID

The mountainous region surrounding Mesa, Idaho features a diverse range of camping opportunities centered around Lake Cascade State Park and nearby wilderness areas. Within a 30-mile radius, campers find established campgrounds like Sugarloaf and Buttercup at Lake Cascade, offering boat-in access and basic amenities. Ponderosa State Park near McCall provides more developed facilities with electric hookups, showers, and cabin options. For those seeking more primitive experiences, French Creek Campground remains open year-round with minimal facilities. The area balances waterfront camping with forested sites, accommodating both tent campers and RVs, with several campgrounds providing boat launch access for water recreation.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping availability in the Mesa region. Most Lake Cascade campgrounds operate from May through December, while Ponderosa State Park's Peninsula Campground runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Summer temperatures can reach the high 90s, with occasional wildfire smoke affecting air quality. As one camper noted, "There was a constant haze in the sky from the wildfires in the area." Winter brings heavy snowfall, limiting access to year-round sites. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly for summer weekends. Peninsula Campground at Ponderosa State Park is especially popular, with one visitor advising: "Make sure you reserve 9 months in advance. This place fills up."

Water access remains the primary draw for many campers in the region. Horsethief Reservoir, located at 5,000 feet elevation east of Cascade, offers "great fishing and kayaking" according to visitor reviews. Lake Cascade campgrounds provide beach access, though some require short walks from campsites. Privacy varies considerably between locations, with Ponderosa State Park described as having sites "right next to one another" despite its popularity. Campers frequently mention wildlife viewing opportunities, including deer sightings and huckleberry picking in late summer. The proximity to small towns like Donnelly provides convenient access to supplies, with one camper noting it was "minutes from Donnelly for the things you forgot."

Best Camping Sites Near Mesa, Idaho (201)

    1. Sugarloaf Campground — Lake Cascade State Park

    20 Reviews
    Cascade, ID
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 382-6544

    "Beautiful lake, nice campground, little beach spots nearby. The lake is very large. Boat ramp is close by. You can swim, kayak, canoe, paddle board, boat, fish. Camping spots are large."

    "We chose Lake Cascade because we had heard that the lake winds were great for sailing and that is true. We stayed at Blue Heron campground."

    2. Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park

    36 Reviews
    McCall, ID
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 634-2164

    $15 - $40 / night

    "Ponderosa is in beautiful McCall, Idaho. Close to downtown and the lake. Great hiking trails. Good park for a family. The campsites are right next to one another, so not much privacy there."

    "Great walking path around and down to the lake as well! Quick 10min ride into town for a nice lake side dinner."

    3. Amanita

    5 Reviews
    Donnelly, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 382-7400

    $15 - $34 / night

    "The campsites were large and there was access to the lake. The only space left for us was the one right in the front near the entrance but it was great!"

    "This small lakeside campground captured our hearts. Who could resist it, with wide open lakefront views like these? A easy launch for kayaks by day, and a sunset view from the campfire by night."

    4. Rainbow Point

    5 Reviews
    Donnelly, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 382-7400

    $15 - $30 / night

    "The beach at the lake is lovely. Site #7 backs up to a large beach area. The campground is convenient to Donnelly and McCall, and quite close to Tamarack Resort (7 minutes), if you are riding there."

    "Close to the water, very chilly at the end of the season. Glad to have toilets and water."

    5. Superior Street RV Retreat LLC

    1 Review
    Mesa, ID
    12 miles
    +1 (208) 739-0377

    $20 - $60 / night

    6. Poison Creek Campground — Lake Cascade State Park

    4 Reviews
    Donnelly, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 382-6544

    $28 - $39 / night

    "Minutes from Donnelly Idaho for “the things you forgot”. Great views coming back again for sure."

    "Right on Lake Cascade so you have lake views on one side and mountain views on the other, seriously beautiful. Shows off Idaho in a good way!"

    7. Frontier Motel and RV Park

    1 Review
    Mesa, ID
    12 miles
    +1 (208) 257-4000

    "The RV parking is in back of the motel so its not very scenic right there, but the surrounding area makes up for it."

    8. French Creek Campground

    5 Reviews
    Cascade, ID
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 382-7400

    $15 / night

    "Short walk to the lake beautiful views, so many little critters. Right next to the road though so a lot of cars kick up dust on the way by."

    "The lake side has a boat ramp, but no beach area. Some sites can be reserved on recreation.gov."

    9. West Mountain Campground — Lake Cascade State Park

    3 Reviews
    Donnelly, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 382-6544

    $12 - $56 / night

    "The camp sites were clean, quiet and very close to the water. We are planning to come back in the summer and bring friends for a nice trip of kayaking and fishing right off the beach."

    "I’ve always wanted to stay in this stretch of Lake Cascade. Camp ground was fairly small with only one loop, made it very cozy. Sites had plenty of room and an ok amount of trees."

    10. Buttercup Campground — Lake Cascade State Park

    2 Reviews
    Donnelly, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 382-6544

    $12 - $33 / night

    "Sandy beach once lake water goes. Lots of ants - bring you ant spray"

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Recent Reviews near Mesa, ID

457 Reviews of 201 Mesa Campgrounds



Guide to Mesa

Camping near Mesa, Idaho, offers a fantastic escape into nature with a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Last Chance Campground. One happy camper shared, "Very nice, large campsite spots with picnic table and fire pit."
  • Clean Facilities: Cleanliness is a big plus. A visitor at Black Bear RV Park remarked, "Clean and well-kept grounds."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campground hosts make a difference. A reviewer at Mann Creek Recreation Area said, "Nice person runs the place and the lots are big enough you don’t hear your neighbors."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sugarloaf Campground, lack drinking water and electric hookups. A camper noted, "The campground is clean. No hookups but has water spickets around the campground."
  • First-Come, First-Served: Many sites are first-come, first-served, so arrive early. A visitor at Last Chance Campground mentioned, "We came in late 7:00 pm but there were a lot of spots left."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife, especially at Horsethief Reservoir Campground. One camper warned, "There were yellow jackets everywhere that would chase and sting."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby lakes for swimming and fishing. A parent at Horsethief Reservoir Campground said, "We had tons of fun out here."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check for food options nearby. A visitor at Black Bear RV Park enjoyed the food truck on the property.
  • Pack for Bugs: Be ready for mosquitoes, especially in the summer. A camper at Mann Creek Recreation Area advised, "Lots of skeeters to take your spray."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Woodhead Campground mentioned, "Nice level camping/picnic pads at each site."
  • Use Dump Stations: Look for campgrounds with dump stations, like Black Bear RV Park, which has a sanitary dump available.
  • Stay Connected: Some campgrounds offer decent phone service. A visitor at Black Bear RV Park noted, "Also have decent phone service for the area."

Camping near Mesa, Idaho, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mesa, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mesa, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 201 campgrounds and RV parks near Mesa, ID and 22 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mesa, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mesa, ID is Sugarloaf Campground — Lake Cascade State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mesa, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Mesa, ID.

What parks are near Mesa, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Mesa, ID that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.