Camping sites near Ashton, Idaho range from secluded forest sites to riverside campgrounds with elevations averaging 5,200 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-70s with cool nights in the 40s, making campfires essential for evening comfort. Ashton serves as a strategic base for accessing both Yellowstone National Park and Targhee National Forest recreation areas.
What to do
River activities: Box Canyon Campground offers direct river access for fishing and floating. "My family has gone camping here every summer and even had a family reunion here. Amazing place to stay and the river provides a lot of fun for the kids as well as some great fishing," notes Ryan P. about Warm River Campground.
Biking trails: The Railroad Grade Trail starts at Warm River Campground and follows an old railway bed. "Within the campground was the trailhead for The railroad grade trail (great for mountain biking) which I was told use to take train passengers to Yellowstone's old faithful," explains Nancy.
Waterfall viewing: Grand View Campground offers easy waterfall access. "You can easily walk down to the Lower Mesa Falls observation point from the campground, and Upper Falls are a 5 minute drive," says Jeni.
Golf: For those wanting to mix camping with recreation, the par-3 course at Yellowstone Golf Resort offers an unusual activity option. "Beautiful campground in the middle of a farming area. The Aspens are beautiful which makes most sites feel private," writes Rebeca H.
What campers like
River sounds: Many campers appreciate riverside sites for their ambiance. "Our spot was right next to a wide, shallow spot of the river which the kids absolutely loved. They enjoyed floating and wading in spite of the cold water," says Amy N. about Riverside Campground.
Privacy between sites: Site spacing and natural screening gets frequent positive mentions. "There are sites with electrical hookups and spots large enough to fit two RVs. There is a gravel pad for parking, tent and picnic table. Surrounding that is forest and flowers. These obstruct direct view of the neighbors," notes Art S. about Box Canyon Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives consistent praise. "The vault toilets are very clean, smell great, have hand sanitizer, and actually have rugs to make them feel more like a real bathroom," Randy M. mentions about Grand View Campground.
Star viewing: The area's dark skies make for excellent nighttime viewing. "Beautiful clear water flows all night under a sky full of stars. It was beautiful," says one camper about their riverside experience.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in this area close by late September, with some shutting down earlier. The Yellowstone Golf Resort at Aspen Acres RV Park has a longer season, operating "May 15 to October 15."
Site availability: First-come, first-served sites fill quickly on weekends. "We just needed an overnight stay as we headed up to Yellowstone. We pulled in at 2am, not sure what we were in for," reports Terri F. about a late arrival at Box Canyon.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving. "The potholes coming in are huge. However, it's the perfect spot off highway to camp," notes Mary Ann F. about dispersed camping options.
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. "No cell service while in the campground," reports one camper, while another mentions "cellphone signal which we haven't had at any spots!"
Tips for camping with families
Water play spots: Look for campgrounds with safe water access. "Our site #19 was right on the river. Beautiful clear water flows all night under a sky full of stars. We got in the water for a bit, it was quite cold. We also saw kids tubing down," explains Puja B. about Box Canyon Campground.
Bug preparation: Mosquitoes can be abundant, especially in early summer. "Bring insect repellant," advises Mark F. about camping near forest streams.
Campground activities: Some sites offer more kid-friendly amenities. "The kids also enjoyed riding scooters around the place," mentions Amy N. about the paved areas at Warm River Campground.
Wildlife awareness: Bear safety is important in this area. "This is also best country, and food storage is required. They provide a few bear boxes, and keeping food locked up in your car works fine, too," explains Tim R.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Jolley Camper RV & Cottages offers full hookups but space can be tight. "The view is amazing and there are nice grassy common areas. Full hook ups were nice to have, but the camp spots were very tight. Our sight was basically on the road, we couldn't even put our awning out," advises Afton.
RV size limitations: Many forest campgrounds have size restrictions. "We have a 44 foot camper trailer though and there was only one site that could fit a camper our size. Most spots would only fit a 30 foot camper or smaller," shares Sheena S. about Box Canyon Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric is available at some forest service sites. "We don't often find NF campgrounds with electricity. Only 9 sites, but all with electric," notes Nancy C. about Grand View Campground, making it unusual for federal campgrounds.
Leveling requirements: Be prepared for uneven sites in some locations. "The back of the RV pad was wearing out but it wasn't too big of a deal for us," mentions one camper about the condition of pads.
