Arco, Idaho sits at 5,325 feet elevation in the high desert of eastern Idaho, experiencing hot summer days that cool significantly at night. The area's volcanic landscape creates unique camping conditions with limited shade and natural windbreaks. Camping opportunities include Forest Service sites, National Monument camping, and private RV parks with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Cave exploration at Craters of the Moon: The park offers unique lava tube caves to explore during summer months. Bring appropriate footwear and a flashlight. According to one visitor at Craters of the Moon Wilderness, "I highly suggest using a GPS or more detailed map, to make sure you make it to the crater... The trail and hike are absolutely beautiful and very much worth the trek."
ATV riding near Mackay: The area offers extensive trail systems for off-road enthusiasts. Bring your vehicles to enjoy mountain terrain. A camper at Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park noted it's "right in the heart of ATV central the reservoir," and another mentioned it's a "Great area for ATV/UTV riding!"
Fishing at Mackay Reservoir: Access quality fishing at Mackay Reservoir, particularly for trout. A visitor at Joe T. Fallini Campground shared, "The reservoir is great year round. Fun ice fishing in the winter and big enough for boating in the summer. Just beware that it is almost ALWAYS windy there."
What campers like
Spacious RV sites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at certain RV parks. A review of Mountain View RV Park states, "The sites are very wide and spacious with grass in between. Full service. Very good cell phone service. The bathrooms are spotless and very large. The showers are about 5 ft by 5 ft!"
On-site dining options: Some campgrounds provide food service, eliminating the need to cook. One camper mentioned, "Amazing small campground with such simple charm (MUST eat at the restaurant within the campground! Southern smoked BBQ!)" Another noted, "The owners are very friendly and accommodating. They run a great little restaurant right on the site with fantastic ribs!"
Free camping with basic amenities: Budget-conscious travelers can find no-cost options. A reviewer at Honeys Park explained, "It's a free campground ran by a disabled vet. He can't and won't charge anyone, though lately has been allowing donations to pay it forward and help with things like recovering the power installation etc."
What you should know
Weather extremes: The high desert experiences significant temperature fluctuations. Pack accordingly for both heat and cold. A visitor to Bear Creek Dispersed Campground reported, "These forests are pretty wild still so definitely keep an eye out for black bears. We haven't seen any Grizzly in this area but they are definitely in the Salmon/Challis area which isn't too far away."
Toilet facilities vary: Restroom availability differs significantly between campgrounds. At developed sites, expect vault toilets at minimum. As one camper at Craters of the Moon Wilderness advised, "Make sure you use the vault toilet at the trailhead before heading out, if you need to due #2 you will need to back all of it out, and that's more than just the paper."
Site availability considerations: Most campgrounds operate on a first-come basis. A visitor suggested, "Check out at noon so try to get there shortly after that. No cell service. Flush toilets with running water. No dump. It is located right in the park." Another camper noted, "We were there Memorial weekend (Sunday) and there were still spots."
Tips for camping with families
Consider unique accommodations: Some campgrounds offer alternatives to traditional tents or RVs. At Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA, a family noted, "Spaces for tent camping up to Class A motor homes. Several pull through spots, a few back in spots... Amenities included showers, restrooms, laundry, small store that sells firewood and propane among other necessities."
Look for campgrounds with activities: Families appreciate sites with built-in recreation. As one camper shared, "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."
Be prepared for minimal facilities at dispersed sites: When camping with kids at undeveloped areas, bring supplies. A visitor to Bear Creek Dispersed Campground reported, "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."
Tips from RVers
Consider water availability: Some campgrounds have limited or seasonal water access. A camper at Riverside RV Campground noted, "Not a lot to do, but we found a place to park our rpod and we're able to dolly it during the day while we went skiing. $30 bucks a night, I think usually it's $35 but the very helpful manager (Dotty) informed me that there wasn't potable water available, hence the discount."
Check site configurations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. At Lava Flow Campground, a visitor warned, "Hard to back into sites due to rocks and narrow road. There are some pull thru sites."
Take advantage of free dump stations: RVers can find dump stations separate from campgrounds. Regarding Honeys Park, a reviewer mentioned, "He does not have any water, but he does have 30 amp electric sites. It is an open field with beautiful views of the mountains. You can get water and also dump your trailer at the free city dump station very close to the campground."
