The Arco area offers a mix of volcanic landscapes and mountain terrain at elevations ranging from 5,300 to 7,000 feet. Camping sites near Arco provide access to Craters of the Moon National Monument with its unique lava formations. Weather can be extreme with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and winter bringing below-freezing conditions.
What to do
Explore volcanic landscapes: Craters of the Moon National Monument features accessible hiking trails through lava fields. "This place is so unique that I imagine it'd be hard to have a bad camping spot," notes Hilary B. about Group Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "It is open so you can do stargazing without difficulty! It was wonderful!" shares Angie W. about camping at Craters of the Moon.
Biking routes: The scenic loop road through volcanic terrain provides cycling opportunities. "Next time spend an extra day or two, riding the bikes through the loop," recommends Lexine H. from the Group Campground.
What campers like
Unique landscapes: The volcanic terrain creates an otherworldly camping experience. "It was like another planet. We really enjoyed this park & campground," says Sheila W. about her stay at Group Campground.
Communal atmosphere: Some sites foster social interactions among travelers. "Talk about a great find after taking a wrong turn at 1 am free sites with plenty to pick from," mentions James H. about Honeys Park.
Accessibility: Many sites offer easy check-in processes even for late arrivals. "It has easy checkin if you arrive after hours, reservations are not required and you can pay on site any hour of the day or night," explains Angie W.
What you should know
Utilities availability: Water and electricity access varies significantly between sites. "This is dry camping, no water or sewer. There's a dump station with water close by off the main highway," reports Rocio C. about Honeys Park.
Site rules: Some campgrounds have specific protocols for guests to follow. "Scar is the owner of the property and a very kind man. He has 2 rules to stay on his property, you need to speak to him before you enter, and you need to come outside and join all the campers at dusk and stand for the Star Spangled Banner," explains Gail J. about Honeys Park.
Site spacing concerns: Some established campgrounds have limited separation between sites. "It felt like they really tried to cram as many camp spots into one area as possible. It left me not wanting to sit outside my van as much," notes Hilary B.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: The volcanic landscape provides hands-on geology lessons. "If you like rocks, plan to stay a few days. We almost went back after we left!" recommends Taylor L. at Craters of the Moon.
Pet-friendly options: Some locations welcome dogs without restrictions. "Dogs had a blast were able to run around the whole time without leash," shares James H. about his glamping experience close to Arco, Idaho.
Space for activities: Group sites offer room for children to play. "Lots of space for a large group. There were 10 of us. Site has its own water and vault bathroom, which was clean. Lots of space to run and play," notes Wade H. about Group Campground.
Tips from RVers
Limited big rig options: Many sites have restrictions for larger vehicles. "Not that many big rig sites, so pity it's only fcfs, especially as it is so remote," explains Kevin H. about Group Campground.
Connectivity challenges: Internet access can be limited in this remote area. "Thank you Elon for Starlink else I could not stay here. Zut Verizon or Cricket (cricket sometime showed 1 bar but not usable)," shares Kevin H.
Dump station locations: Local facilities are available for RV services. "You can get water and also dump your trailer at the free city dump station very close to the campground," advises Gail J. about the glamping amenities close to Arco, Idaho.
