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Dog-Friendly Camping near Arco, ID

28 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA accepts pets at all accommodation types including tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. The campground maintains gravel sites with picnic tables where dogs can rest alongside their owners. Full hookup options for RV campers with pets include electric, water, and sewer connections, with both 50-amp service and trash collection available. Staff members at the KOA are pet-friendly according to multiple camper experiences. The campground features a designated area where dogs can exercise, though some visitors note the overall dusty conditions typical of the high desert environment might affect pets with sensitivities.

    Honeys Park provides a rare opportunity for free dry camping with pets, situated just outside Arco with no breed or size restrictions. The generous owner allows dogs to run off-leash throughout the property, distinguishing it from more restrictive established campgrounds. Both Big Lost River Dispersed and Bear Creek Dispersed Campground offer primitive camping options for pet owners seeking more remote experiences, with free sites and toilet facilities. Mountain View RV Park in Arco maintains 44 pet-friendly sites with electric hookups and sewers available. When visiting nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument, pets must remain on leashes no longer than six feet and are not permitted on most hiking trails beyond paved areas, though they can join owners at the Group Campground within the monument boundaries.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Arco (28)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Craters of the Moon RV Park

      3.7(25)0mi from ArcoRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Amenities included showers, restrooms, laundry, small store that sells firewood and propane among other necessities, ice cream social (for a donation) in the evening, free waffle breakfast in the morning, pet"

      "We like staying here while traveling through Idaho. It’s a short drive to Craters of the Moon National Monument, and Arco, Idaho is a neat little town."

      from $25 - $55 / night

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      2. Mountain View RV Park

      4.9(12)0mi from Arco3 sitesRVs, Cabins

      "We stayed at Mountain View RV Park in Arco, Idaho, and it proved to be an outstanding, budget-friendly home base packed with convenience and unique local history."

      "View is in the small city of Arco ID, close to Craters of the Moon National monument. Reserving space was easy on line and making a change to our reservation was easy via email."

      from $52 - $58 / night

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      3. Honeys Park

      4.6(7)0mi from ArcoRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "This is a great location. The owner of the property, Scar, is very generous in offering his property for free to stay at to complete strangers. This is dry camping, no water or sewer."

      "When you check out the website make sure you read the whole thing, the guy is hilarious, had my girl and I laughing the whole time, dogs had a blast were able to run around the whole time with out leash"

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      4. Group Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

      4.3(10)17mi from Arco1 siteRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Amazing stars, easy access to trails and beautiful volcanic landscapes. My only complaint is the lack of privacy and sound carries a little too well so hopefully you’ll have respectful neighbors."

      "Super clean bathrooms, easy self pay, accessible sites and a lot of walking and driving activities available. Will definitely feel crowded when full. Sat/sun night at the end of oct was maybe 25%."

      from $15 - $30 / night

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      5. Big Lost River Rest Area Hwy 20

      3.0(2)16mi from Arco

      6. Mackay Tourist Park

      4.3(4)25mi from ArcoRVs, Tents, Cabins

      from $40 / night

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      7. Bear Creek Dispersed Campground

      4.8(4)26mi from Arco

      "This is an amazing secluded spot deep into the Sawtooth Mountains of Central Idaho.  We've been coming here for years and my fathers been coming here since the 60's. "

      "We enjoyed the nearby creek and beautiful wildflowers that were blooming. Port-a-potties were there when we first set up camp but they were later taken by forest staff which left us without a toilet."

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      8. Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park

      5.0(3)25mi from ArcoRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "I love this place I was a little stressed out because I was driving quite a distance and wasn't sure if I was gonna make the cut off time but I did and they were supernice superfriendly dog friendly"

      from $40 - $140 / night

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      9. Iron Bog Campground

      4.0(2)23mi from ArcoTents

      "There are ample trails that are available kicking off straight from the campground into the wilderness, for hiking, walking, snowmobiling, mountain biking, etc."

      Check Availability

      10. Big Lost River Dispersed

      4.6(5)28mi from ArcoRVs, Tents

      "Incredible views after driving through most of Idaho this spot is a relief!"

      "Nice to be next to the river. Seems to be a popular place. Very rustic. Pack out your own trash."

      Check Availability
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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Arco, ID

    4 Photos of 28 Arco Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Arco, ID

    240 Reviews of 28 Arco Campgrounds

    • Aaron S.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 14, 2026

      Mountain View RV Park

      The Premier Big-Rig Basecamp for Craters of the Moon (Arco, ID)

      Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com

      If you are exploring Central Idaho or routing past Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, finding the right campground can make all the difference—especially if you pull a long setup. We stayed at Mountain View RV Park in Arco, Idaho, and it proved to be an outstanding, budget-friendly home base packed with convenience and unique local history.

      Location, Convenience & Price

      • The Value: The nightly rate here was exceptionally reasonable, delivering full hookups and wide pull-through sites without the inflated destination markups you often see near national parks.
      • Easy Fuel Resupply: The park is situated right off the highway and very close to fuel stations, making refueling large tow vehicles and motorhomes quick and easy before heading out into the more remote stretches of Idaho.
      • On-Site Restaurant: Having a solid, quality restaurant and grill right on the campground property is a massive convenience after a long day of driving or hiking. You can unhitch, walk a few paces, and enjoy a hot meal without having to drive anywhere.

      Scenic Views & The Famous "Number Hill"

      The campground lives up to its name with sweeping views of the surrounding rugged mountain ranges.

      • A Century-Old Tradition: If you look up at the mountain overlooking town, you’ll immediately spot the giant white numbers painted across the rocky cliffs. Each number represents a high school graduating class from Arco, a tradition that has been kept alive for decades (dating back to 1920!). It gives the whole valley great small-town character and makes for a fun view right from your campsite.

      BIG-RIG PRO TIP: Stay Here Instead of Craters of the Moon

      If you are planning to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument, take our advice as seasoned big-rig travelers: Stay at Mountain View RV Park and day-trip into the park with your tow vehicle or passenger car.

      • The National Monument Reality: The on-site campground inside Craters of the Moon (Lava Flow Campground) is extremely tight, rough, and paved right into sharp volcanic basalt. The vast majority of those sites are small, have awkward angles, and offer zero hookups.
      • The Big-Rig Solution: Bringing a 39-to-40-foot toyhauler or large fifth wheel into the national monument's campground is an unnecessary headache. Mountain View RV Park is only a short drive away, provides spacious pull-through sites that easily swallow large rigs, and lets you explore the lava tubes and craters stress-free in your unhitched vehicle.

      The Hitched4fun Verdict

      Mountain View RV Park delivers everything an RVer needs: fair pricing, spotless utilities, great mountain backdrops, and an on-site dining option that saves you time and cooking cleanup. It is easily the smartest staging point in the region for anyone pulling a mid-to-large rig. We will definitely be back!

      Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!

    • Jeremy H.
      Jul. 5, 2022

      Craters of the Moon RV Park

      Fun holiday camping

      Great little campground with full hook ups, 30 or 50 Amp. Spaces for tent camping up to Class A motor homes. Several pull through spots, a few back in spots. The campground is well maintained and had friendly staff. Amenities included showers, restrooms, laundry, small store that sells firewood and propane among other necessities, ice cream social (for a donation) in the evening, free waffle breakfast in the morning, pet friendly with dog park, playground, and pool (although not super warm). Good activities in the area if you enjoy the high desert. We stayed on 4th of July weekend and even with a full park it didn't feel crowded.

    • Annie C.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 26, 2019

      Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

      Camping on the moon

      Holy Cow! It really was like camping on the moon(except the wind) or on a volcano. This is a barren place due to the volcanic nature of the land, but it was very pretty and the campground was set up in an almost ingenious way to provide privacy for most sites. There were essentially two loops, but the loops had lots of twists and turns and ups and downs in order to squeeze in the most number of sites with the most privacy. I ended up with a deep site where I could set my tent up between some lava rocks to get some semblance of a wind break. From inside my tent I could not see any other sites(which was really nice), but I could see my neighbors from my picnic table. No fires are allowed(which I found interesting since we were camped on a lava flow), and there are no showers(someone told me that maybe I could get a shower at the KOA in Arco, but I didn’t bother). In fact, water is somewhat restricted- there were signs stating RV’s could not fill up, but all were welcome to fill personal water jugs. Even the dish washing station was closed at the restrooms. Speaking of which, the restrooms had flush toilets and sinks with cold water and were fairly clean if a bit outdated. Definitely get some hiking in while you are here. There is a nice trail from the campground that connects to the North Crater Flow trail, and if you have some stamina climb the Inferno Cone for great views(watch the ground for cinders that look like glass!). Get a permit at the visitors center to go into the lava tube caves(its free but required). I only hiked in Indian Cave as I wasn’t comfortable with the pitch black dark of Boy Scout and Beauty Caves by myself. Definitely check out the town of Arco, the first in the nation to be powered by nuclear energy. Not far from Arco is the nuclear power plant, decommissioned, where you can take a free tour. Back at the campground there is one last important note- you have to pay the electronic ranger for your campsite, and NO cash is accepted. Only credit cards.

    • Tim M.
      Sep. 26, 2022

      Craters of the Moon RV Park

      Nice KOA campground

      We like staying here while traveling through Idaho. It’s a short drive to Craters of the Moon National Monument, and Arco, Idaho is a neat little town. The Showers and Laundry facilities at this park were not used by us during this visit. Staff was very friendly during the check in process. There is limited shade in the park.

    • S
      Sep. 27, 2021

      Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

      Great place to stay!!

      This campground was an great place to stay while in Lava Hotsprings. It's a two minute drive to the Hotsprings, which are amazing. The campground is clean and very well maintained. Cleanest shower houses and bathrooms we have seen at a campground in a long time! The camp hosts are friendly and the park is very pet friendly! I would highly recommend this spot if you are stopping in Lava Hotsprings for any amount of time!

    • l
      May. 31, 2023

      Mountain View RV Park

      Quiet, pastoral campground with large, well spaced sites and a great restaurant !

      Mt. View is in the small city of Arco ID, close to Craters of the Moon National monument. Reserving space was easy on line and making a change to our reservation was easy via email. The park has lots o trees and the sites are roomy. The owners are friendly and helpful. 24 hour laundry is available. The restaurant serves delicious BBQ, southern style in a small, homey setting.

    • andrew N.
      Jul. 20, 2024

      Craters of the Moon RV Park

      First family vacation gone wrong

      For our family's first vacation in our new travel trailer, we foolishly chose to visit the KOA campground in Arco, Idaho. We had informed them of our late arrival around 11 PM. Upon arrival, they handed us a map and pointed to a campsite number. None of the spots were properly marked, but surrounded by other trailers, we assumed we were in the right place. The next morning, we discovered the bathrooms were absolutely revolting, clearly not cleaned for days, despite a sign claiming daily cleaning. Mud on the floors, mold and mildew in the showers, overflowing trash, and toilet paper strewn about—it was utterly disgusting. When we returned later that day, a staff member immediately confronted us, accusing us of lacking a reservation. We provided the requested documentation, and they disappeared. Then the owner or manager approached us aggressively, violently pointing out our supposed error on the map and ordering us to move everything to the correct spot—right behind where we had parked, already occupied by another family they had mistakenly placed. In a menacing tone, he begrudgingly decided to relocate the incoming family to our original spot. This whole scene unfolded in front of numerous families at the KOA, with no regard for our embarrassment or the other campers' discomfort. After this disgraceful ordeal, we decided to just pack up and leave, not even bothering to request a refund. As we were packing, the manager approached, still not apologizing, but handed me a receipt for a refund that I never asked for nor wanted. I informed him firmly that this was not about money but about their appalling mismanagement. I intend to dispute the refund because this KOA should not be associated with such incompetence and filth and I will not accept hush money.

    • Zach H.
      Aug. 8, 2020

      Craters of the Moon RV Park

      Great spot to see Craters

      We passed through here heading from the Tetons to Oregon. Looks a lot like several other small town KOAs we’ve stayed at. Free waffles for breakfast was a nice touch. We got a site with a large shade tree but many were totally exposed to the sun. Beautiful countryside nearby but not much going on in the town of Arco. Only 20 minutes to the Craters of the Moon visitors center. Great location to stay to check out this remote and amazing NPS site.

    • Christina F.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 18, 2026

      Mountain View RV Park

      Oasis in a hot dusty place

      We stayed here for 2 nights in July 2025. We were on the way back from Yellowstone and planned a stop here so we could go to Craters of the Moon. It's a lovely park, very clean, nice people. The only thing that was disappointing was that there is a BBQ restaurant on-site that had fantastic reviews and it happened to be closed on the days we were there. This is right on a main road, but Arco is a quiet town and I did not notice any traffic noise at all. There were fields around the rest of the park and horses in one of them so we visited them one night on a walk.

    Guide to Arco

    Craters of the Moon National Monument dominates the landscape near Arco, Idaho, with its expansive lava flows and unique volcanic features. The area sits at approximately 5,900 feet elevation with summer temperatures reaching into the 90s while winter brings freezing conditions. The high desert terrain transitions between exposed basalt fields and sparse vegetation, creating distinctive camping conditions with limited natural shade.

    What to do

    Cave exploration: 8 miles from Arco. At Craters of the Moon National Monument, visitors can explore several lava tube caves with proper permits. "This experience is a must! The campsite is in the lava fields. Like amongst piles of volcanic rock and mounds of lava flows. It's unreal! If you like rocks, plan to stay a few days," shares Taylor L.

    Star viewing: best June-September. The remote location provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities. "Excellent stargazing," notes Jeremy M. about the Group Campground. The stark landscape enhances the astronomical experience with minimal light pollution.

    Fishing access: 25 minutes north. Big Lost River Dispersed offers direct river access. "Clean for being free. Nice to be next to the river. Seems to be a popular place," writes LeRoy U. The fishing spots are accessible from multiple campsites along the river.

    What campers like

    Clean facilities: consistently mentioned. Mountain View RV Park receives high marks for maintenance. "The bathrooms are spotless and very large. The showers are about 5 ft by 5 ft! The owners are very friendly and accommodating," notes Marty S. The park also features 24-hour laundry access.

    Morning meal offerings: seasonal availability. Several campers mention the breakfast options at certain campgrounds. "In the morning they offer FREE waffles, so after packing up the car, we enjoyed breakfast before heading over to the National Monument," shares Bobby B. about his stay at the KOA.

    Spacious sites: particularly for groups. Campers appreciate the room to spread out at Mackay Tourist Park. "Tree'd grassy park with picnic tables & fire pits at each site. Beautiful views of the mountains," writes Lori. The park operates on a donation basis rather than fixed fees.

    What you should know

    Weather conditions: extreme variations. The high desert climate means hot days and cool nights with limited natural shade. "There's no signs to say you can't camp here, but equally no indication that camping is allowed," Robert T. notes about Big Lost River Rest Area, highlighting the importance of checking regulations.

    Seasonal operation: most campgrounds close October-April. Winter access becomes limited due to snow and freezing temperatures. Many facilities reduce services in shoulder seasons.

    Water availability: inconsistent in dispersed areas. Iron Bog Campground visitors sometimes find seasonal limitations: "The hand water pump did not pump water; water was probably turned off for the season," reports Fred S. Bring extra water when camping in remote locations.

    Tips for camping with families

    Pool access: limited options. For pet friendly camping near Arco, Idaho with children, consider campgrounds with water features during hot months. "Our boys got to enjoy the pool before it closed for the evening," notes Bobby B. about the KOA facilities.

    Playground options: verify before booking. Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA offers basic play equipment. "Playground for kids was minimal, but pool seemed nice. This is a good jumping off point for craters of the moon," writes Ben H. about the facilities.

    Wildlife sightings: early mornings best. Some campgrounds offer opportunities to see native animals. "Had 2 deer meander through the campground in the morning!" writes Lori about Mackay Tourist Park. The park's location near mountains increases wildlife viewing chances.

    Tips from RVers

    Site width variations: check when booking. Mountain View RV Park offers particularly spacious sites. "The sites are very wide and spacious with grass in between. Full service. Very good cell phone service," notes Marty S. about the accommodation for larger vehicles.

    Cell reception: spotty in remote areas. Coverage varies significantly around Arco. "No T-Mobile and AT&T cell service. There were several boondocking sites on the way to the campground," reports Fred S. about Iron Bog, highlighting connectivity challenges for remote workers.

    Power options: limited at dispersed sites. For animal-friendly camping near Arco with electrical needs, research availability carefully. "Probably 15 spots. AT&T 1-2 5G. Pit toilets, 10 day max stay right on Big Lost River," Christopher E. explains about the Big Lost River Dispersed area's limited amenities.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Arco, ID?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Arco, ID is Craters of the Moon RV Park with a 3.7-star rating from 25 reviews.

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