Dispersed camping near Banks, Idaho offers access to the Boise National Forest with elevations ranging from 3,000 to 7,500 feet. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically between 75-90°F and cool nights dropping to 40-50°F. Most dispersed sites require visitors to bring all supplies including water, as most locations lack potable water sources.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Tripod Dispersed camping areas provide creek access for cooling off during hot summer months. "We spend lots of summers here. So many open spaces. Lots of cattle roaming. Creeks, lake, and hiking," reports one camper at Tripod Dispersed camping.
Hot spring exploration: Several natural hot springs can be found within driving distance of camping areas. The Mores Creek area offers creek access with "a variety of free and dispersed sites, most of them with rock campfire rings, near a nice shallow creek," according to one camper at Mores Creek by Steamboat Gulch.
Fishing opportunities: Willow Creek Campground provides fishing access in Arrowrock Reservoir. One visitor notes, "Great fishing location. Even has a sunken truck that's been there for more years than most locals said they've known."
What campers like
Relative seclusion: Despite proximity to Boise, many sites feel removed from urban areas. A camper at Willow Creek Campground reports, "Beautiful location close to Boise, river is claiming and relaxing. A few places to walk around and explore. No reservations, first come first serve location."
Beach camping options: Several sites allow camping directly on beaches. At Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground, one reviewer explains, "Free camping among the sparsely located pine trees. Great views of the water and mountains. Vault toilet nearby."
Group camping potential: Multiple fire rings and open spaces accommodate larger parties. At Forest Service Campsite FR0215B, "Large open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many dispersed sites require slow, careful driving. For Herrick Reservoir Access, a camper warns, "Not all roads around the reservoir are public, so be prepared to turn around and back up at dead ends."
Ownership boundaries: Be aware of private property lines. One camper at Herrick Reservoir notes, "Not really any designated sites and surrounded by private land with aggressive signage."
Limited facilities: Most areas have minimal or no facilities. A visitor to Irish Point Dispersed Camp reports, "The only site improvement at Irish Point is a vault toilet."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection timing: Popular weekends see increased crowds. At Forest Service Campsite FR0215B Dispersed, a camper advises, "Avoid during holidays, people leave tents and rvs for days to keep the spot despite rules and the ranger station will do nothing about it."
Weather preparation: Temperature swings require layering clothing. Willow Creek Campground has typical mountain weather patterns with warm days and cool nights, requiring appropriate clothing for all conditions.
Pack out trash: Facilities for garbage do not exist. One visitor to Willow Creek Campground laments, "Trash...trash... trash... trash everywhere. I wanted to cry. Cleaned up what I could take back with me, but there was just so much I couldn't take it all."
Tips from RVers
Road access limitations: Several campgrounds have difficult access roads for larger rigs. For Irish Point, one RVer cautions, "The road in is all gravel on a steep hillside along the shore and several miles to get in. Many potholes and ruts. It will take you about 20-30 minutes from Boise to get to the dam and then another 30 minutes to get to Irish point if you are towing a trailer."
Dispersed parking challenges: Finding level spots presents difficulties. At Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed, campers should know, "We camped at Irish Point at Arrowhead's designated dispersed camping area. The road around the reservoir is pretty tight, though that doesn't discourage long trailers and toy haulers."
Limited space for larger vehicles: Some areas can accommodate big rigs while others cannot. A visitor to Irish Point notes, "We have a 30ft travel trailer and once was probably enough for quite some time. Tough access. Bad road."
