131 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Bancroft, Idaho range from established campgrounds to dispersed sites on public lands. The Lava Hot Springs area, approximately 15 miles southeast of Bancroft, features several developed campgrounds including Lava Hot Springs East KOA and Lava Hot Springs West KOA, both offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations. Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping provides a free alternative for those seeking a more primitive experience on Bureau of Land Management property, while Portneuf Bend Campground offers 81 sites with electric hookups and basic amenities.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with many established campgrounds operating from May through October. The Lava Hot Springs West KOA specifically notes a season from May 5 to October 31, while Mary's Campground operates from May 15 to September 3. Winter access becomes limited as higher elevation areas receive significant snowfall. Most dispersed camping areas lack drinking water, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies. Cell service varies significantly, with stronger coverage near towns and limited or no service in more remote areas. According to one visitor at Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping, "This area used to be a state park but the state abandoned it and removed all their facilities. It is now under BLM jurisdiction."
Proximity to water features represents a significant draw for campers in the region. Several campgrounds, including Lava Spa RV Park, offer sites directly on the Portneuf River, providing both scenic views and recreational opportunities. A visitor noted, "The location is directly across the street from the hot spring pools. Our spot #6 was on the river." Highway noise can be a consideration at some locations, particularly at the KOA properties which are situated near major roads and railroad tracks. Campers seeking quieter experiences may prefer more remote options like Indian Rocks, though these typically offer fewer amenities. The region's natural hot springs remain the primary attraction, with multiple campgrounds positioned to provide convenient access to these geothermal features.
"We parked our 34 ft motor home right next to a river waterfall and did some fishing. A fire pit was already established. Excellent spot right outside of town with good cell service."
"Close to Highway and very close to railroad tracks. About 7 trains at night when I stayed. Very pretty water rushing made for great sleep sounds when train wasn’t passing."
"We had a patio site near the office, overlooking a weedy bit near the stream. While you couldn’t see the water from the patio, you could hear it and could enjoy gazing at the cliffs above it."
"The site itself is surrounded by water and even has a small water fall that you could sit in as if it were a small hot tub size. This KOA is clean and friendly staff."
"There’s a toilet located here, bring your own TP though. The river is fun to jump in and hang out in! The trains come frequently and at times are pretty loud but it doesn’t bother our group."
"Dispersed camping close to hot springs, don't miss the hot springs, thay are awesome."
"But it’s the perfect spot if you want to be around all the fun action of Lava Hot Springs. You’re walking distance to the river, restaurants, the pool and all the fun stuff in Lava."
"Kid, pet friendly, walking distance to food and fun. One of the best KOA’s we have stayed at."
"GPS correct, no signage and just off highway West. Small 60x40 yard gravel/dirt lot a quarter mile up improved road with some potholes."
"Just take the exit for McCammon and turn right twice, entering the gravel road at the brown lava stone walls. The gravel covered road is in pretty good shape with minor potholes."
"It’s a bit further outside of downtown, but easily walkable through the paths and KOA. It’s affordable, spacious and clean."
"Very close to the town for the soaks. It’s very close to the highway which is a plus, but there can also be some traffic noise. Beautiful views."
"Located very conveniently to the river and most of the activities in lava Hot Springs. We were only going to stay for two nights, but now we have stayed a full week."
"The sites are very close to each other but the location in town next to the river, resturaunts and the hot springs pools is the reason to stay here."
from $40 - $50 / night
Check Availability"There’s a paved trail around all of the camp sites for bikes and skateboards and the owners are incredibly friendly. Clean bathrooms /showers as well."
from $40 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Nice hiking opportunities and off road vehicles seemed to be popular as well."
"We haven’t walked downtown yet but it looks like there are a lot of good restaurants and two bookstores! Spacing is tight. Bathrooms clean. Showers paid, $2 for 4 minutes. We have a FHU site."
from $25 - $55 / night
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TravelerThis campsite was very clean well maintained and safe lots of families but highway nearby was unavoidably loud. Not the worse but if you are seeking a quiet spot this is probably not for you. Playground bathrooms campstore etc all nice and clean
ScoutThis is a very nice area has spots for large RVs, small RVs ,and has stops for tent camping. Also have various bathroom and picnic areas. There is also boat launches from this area. The rv spots have electric hookups and access to water but can not leave it hooked to camper there is also an rv dump station and trash bins areas. To stay here you do have to make reservations though recreation.gov. All around I find this to be a great place to stay at!
GuideGreat campground with showers and bathrooms nearly complete. But beware of trains close by at night.
TravelerDuring the day it's busy with family activities, playing in the water or riding atvs. At night it dies done and gets quite. Soon you can hear the loons and crickets. Off note if you have an adhd child be prepared to do something all day.
TravelerIt isn't to far from a town, spots are not close together, close to the water to either swim or fish. Pet friendly. Down side. Gravel for tent sites No shade And from 6pm on all you hear are trains
TravelerI visited mid-week, early June. Fairly good access to this campground. Gravel road for several miles but it's wide and graded. Campground roads are gravel. There's a main loop and 2 group loops, one of which has a road that is in disrepair, having a section of deep soft sand/gravel that a vehicle could get stuck in. The size of sites in the main loop is highly variable, but many are large enough for long 5th wheels. The spacing is good though a few sites are too close to the road for my liking. The CG is in dense forest with undergrowth, so there is shade and screening from other sites. A creek flows through the middle of the main loop. It is nice and the creek sound helps overcome the noise of campers. I did not see tent pads, but many of the sites have enough room for tents. Each site has a fire ring/pit and table. The vault toilets that i visited were clean. There is a small bathhouse tucked away in the middle of the CG with flushers; it's a little dilapidated, peeling paint, etc. There are hiking trails in the area and also ATV trails. I saw many people fishing along the Cub River.
Horse people: there are 3 corrals at the upper end of the main CG loop, with plenty of room to turn around.
Zero cell signal: Verizon
The campground host, Chuck, was friendly and pleasant.
Overall, I enjoyed my stay here.
ScoutHidden gym just up the road first come first serve. I think there’s eight little spots each has its own tent, parking spot and gravel pit. There’s also bathrooms and access to the river with popular fishing, floating and other activities.!! but the best part is it’s free! While I was here, I sound variety of campers vans motorhomes tents tear jobs even a three axle trailer!
GuideConvenient and free campspot located just off the interstate. It provided a peaceful and restorative stop during our travels. The proximity to the highway made it incredibly accessible, saving us valuable time. Despite its location, the site offered a surprising sense of tranquility. We would certainly recommend this spot for anyone seeking a comfortable and uncomplicated overnight stay.
TravelerAn older campground with a variety of sites from full hookups, water only, dry camping and tent sites. Easy access to the reservoir for our kayaks. Lots of people fishing and A Lot of people catching fish! Beautiful views, fun birdwatching and some great hiking nearby. A great place for groups since they allow multiple rvs and tents per site. Excellent cell coverage. Not a fancy place but comfortable. Their website mentioned they had a dump station but we didn't see it and didn't find the host on checkout to verify.
Camping options near Bancroft, Idaho extend beyond the better-known Lava Hot Springs area. Located in Caribou County at approximately 5,400 feet elevation, Bancroft experiences cold winters with significant snowfall and warm summers with low humidity. Many dispersed camping areas follow a seasonal pattern with most sites accessible from late May through early October when overnight temperatures remain above freezing.
River recreation access: Lower Portneuf Campground offers immediate access to fishing and paddling opportunities. "Paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing are primo. Lots of privacy and zero dollars," notes Chelsey M., highlighting the free waterside camping options.
Hot springs visits: Lava Hot Springs West KOA provides convenient access to the town's thermal attractions. "You are about a 5-10 minute walk from the main town including the hot pools. Those pools are super relaxing and I would recommend going first thing in the morning before it gets crowded," advises Shad G.
Trail exploration: Goodenough Creek Campground connects to hiking paths suitable for day trips. "Great hiking and horseback riding trails, quiet, not too crowded," reports Sheri C. about the trail system that extends from the campground into surrounding public lands.
Waterside camping: Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park offers sites with water features. "At the back of the RV park is a trail you can walk along the river and will come to a place where you can enter the river right into a hot spring," shares Debra M. about the hidden thermal features near the campground.
Budget-friendly options: Lower Portneuf Campground provides free camping opportunities near town. "Great open field. Some wooded spot are next to the river. 5 minutes from the small town," reports Madison M., noting the proximity to services despite being a no-cost option.
Shade coverage: Several campgrounds offer tree cover for summer heat protection. "There are mature trees around so there is part or full shade for most of the area," reports Michelle H. about the tent camping areas, providing natural temperature moderation during hot summer days.
Train noise considerations: Multiple campgrounds near Bancroft experience train disturbances. "The trains; however, were a drag at night. Not many ran during the day but at night we counted 8 that went by. The tracks are only about 100' from most of the spots," warns Brett T. about overnight noise levels.
Limited services: Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping requires self-sufficiency. "This area used to be a state park but the state abandoned it and removed all their facilities. It is now under BLM jurisdiction," explains Mike E., highlighting the transition to undeveloped camping.
Road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires careful driving. "The road had some major ruts so it wouldn't be suitable for large vehicles," notes Christopher E. about approaches to certain camping areas, suggesting arrival during daylight hours for first-time visitors.
Playground access: Mary's Campground offers features for children. "There's a paved trail around all of the camp sites for bikes and skateboards and the owners are incredibly friendly. Clean bathrooms/showers as well," recommends Chris Y., noting the family-friendly environment.
Site selection for privacy: Finding buffer space between sites helps maintain family comfort. "We had such friendly neighbors that we didn't mind at all. Very family friendly would definitely come back!" shares Rudy about their experience despite close site spacing.
Timing considerations: Morning visits to popular attractions avoid crowds. "I would recommend going first thing in the morning before it gets crowded," advises one camper regarding the hot pools, which can become extremely busy during midday, especially on summer weekends.
Hookup availability: Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access accommodates larger rigs with limitations. "The roads a little rough for bigger fifth-wheel. Beautiful view, less than five minutes to Lava and much better than paying the crazy prices in the camp grounds," advises Earl J. about navigating to free camping with an RV.
Leveling requirements: Some camping areas offer naturally level sites. "Level and fantastic site for an overnight stay," reports Evan D., noting the train noise but praising the ease of setup without extensive leveling equipment.
Water and waste services: The KOA facilities near Bancroft provide water access for non-guests. "The KOA, just before the turn off, will let you fill your water tank for free but they charge $10 for a dump," shares a camper about resource access without staying at the full-service campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bancroft, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bancroft, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Bancroft, ID and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bancroft, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bancroft, ID is Lower portneuf campground with a 3.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bancroft, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Bancroft, ID.
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