157 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas around Bloomington, Idaho include several developed campgrounds and dispersed options in the Caribou National Forest. Bear Lake State Park Campground provides established sites with electric hookups and showers, while nearby Paris Springs Campground offers more rustic accommodations for both tent and RV camping. The region includes a mix of Forest Service sites like Emigration Campground and privately operated facilities such as Montpelier Creek KOA, which features cabin rentals and full hookup sites approximately 15 miles from Bloomington.
Road conditions vary significantly by season, with many campgrounds operating only from May through September due to winter closures. Higher elevation sites like Willow Flat Campground may have limited access during spring runoff periods. "The wildflowers are beautiful but once it hits late June they are usually gone. The campsites are great. They are close together but it doesn't feel like it because there are so many trees and the creek that runs through the campground is loud enough to drown out other's noise," noted one visitor about Willow Flat. Most Forest Service campgrounds provide basic amenities including vault toilets and potable water, while cell service remains limited throughout the region, particularly in canyon areas and remote sites.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the area, with Bear Lake's turquoise waters attracting visitors to nearby campgrounds. Several campgrounds feature creek-side sites that provide natural sound barriers between camping areas. Campers frequently mention the quality of fishing opportunities, particularly in areas like Willow Flat where stream access is readily available. Public lands near Franklin Basin offer more secluded dispersed camping options with river access. "You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views," reported one camper about the Franklin Basin area. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, though larger rigs may find limited suitable sites at some of the more remote Forest Service campgrounds.
"If coming from Idaho Falls stay on 30 Hwy till Montpelier then take 89 hwy to St Charles. If ya coming from Jackson Wy stay on 89 Hwy . If ya need Groc stop at the store in Montpelier."
"Public outhouses are available. if you are up to walking a bit the ones near the day use area are cleaner and used less. Beautiful lake."
"The campground was in great shape, the drive up to our site was amazingly beautiful, and the campground hosts were very attentive and thoughtful."
"I chose the site near the Paris spring Trailhead. The trail to the spring is about 1/4 mile in and is very beautiful. There were hummingbirds everywhere! And dragon flies too!"
from $17 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The hike to the headwaters is a must and if you're feeling up to it you can hike over the mountain to Bloomington Lake. There's also tons of UTV/ATV trails nearby. I love this place."
"Fairly good access to this campground. Gravel road for several miles but it's wide and graded. Campground roads are gravel."
from $20 - $120 / night
Check Availability"The tent was pitched right next to Saint Charles Creek. It is currently very high (6/2017). I was worried they may get their tent wet! The camp is paved, so no dust!"
"There is a good amount of shade at nearly all the campgrounds and they are close to the creek. It has simple amenities like vault toilets, metal fire rings and picnic tables. "
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"We booked a tent site online and pulled in around 8 pm on a Monday night shortly after the covid shutdown. It was raining and the temperature was 37 degrees and due to drop to 29 overnight."
"Our cabin was right on the creek, and I found my pace and place on the porch and nature trail watching birds and listening to the creek while the kids enjoyed the pool and playground."
"If you’re traveling with kids like we were, they’ll likely make new friends and have fun walking the campground loops together."
"We snagged a spot right next to Saint Charles Creek. Hearing the water run at night was nice. This year (2017) the runoff is very high and the creek was pretty swift for its size."
from $20 - $160 / night
Check Availability"The KOA Train: Another major highlight was the fun and fast train rides around the park. The grandkids rode it several times during the week."
"The store next to the entrance is amazingly well stocked with all you’d need. We stayed in an RV supersite that included a private hot tub and BBQ grill."
"We have no cell service in the campground but you can walk to the road and get service if needed. Behind the bathrooms on the South side there is a little trail with a beautiful view of the lake."
"Sunrise Campground sites are immersed in trees to give you a surrounding cozy and comfortable feeling. Back in sites include a fire ring and sturdy picnic table..."
from $24 - $204 / night
Check Availability"There was a little path to the bathrooms."
"Close to lots of attractions in the Bear Lake area, but far enough from everyone else. the campground is in a beautiful forest with lots of trails and space to explore."
from $20 - $100 / night
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RangerVery easy access off 89. Very large sites with fire rings start about 1/4 off the main road. Only one other site being used that I saw. Pit toilet available at the large parking area. Clean and well kept. No cell service. Free range cows.
ScoutThis is a nice camp ground where you can walk right to the beach. We went with our in laws and were lucky to get spots closest to the beach as well. The only thing that was a bummer was that there were so many stickers and weeds within our site that it was poky to walk with sandals on around our actual site but other than that it has been a great camp ground and a great beach. Our dog and daughter both had a blast. This is our second year going the same weekend and will be doing it again! We’ve tried another campground in Bear lake and we prefer this one over the other.
ScoutBlue water, close beach, dog friendly, clean grounds, quiet hours, gorgeous scenery.
TravelerAmazing place to camp right next to the river.
The entrance you go across the bridge. It looks low, but a 13.5 RV can make it under no problem. As you enter, it gets lower and all of a sudden you realize that you can make it under the trees over the bridge.
GuideJust off of I-15 in Plymouth is a hidden gem. For $60 you get full 50amp hookups, a huge dog run for the pups and awesome access to Hot Springs. At 102 degrees we swam in the furthest spring-pond next to the green shop inside the fenced area. Late afternoon and early morning we had the place to ourselves. It was awesome. Bring a floaty or vest as the sides are slick. Ponds have a nice dock with ladders.
RangerTravel through Fossil Butte, and up the hill, then drive a while and cross into BLM, then drive through some dirt roads, and up a hill and there you are… all alone. I love it. 8000 feet and 360 views. No amenities.
ScoutWhile there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain. We continued up and finally found a nice camp site just on the south side of Utah border but it turned out to be on private property. There’s a small stretch of a private property near the state line marked by a sign posted cattle grate. The property owner stopped by, he was super polite, but explained the boundaries and asked us to move along.
In many spots on the road on the way up there were wide open areas where a single camper had claimed a large area, even sites that could comfortably accommodate several rigs, so just a few things to watch out for.
ScoutLoved this spot. Only recommendation would be to make each spot to the parking a little more clear.
GuideThe first night of our two night reserved and prepaid campsite was in a different site for an rv. The camp host was drunk and gave our site away to another family that didn’t have a reservation. Since they were all set up, we were tossed into the only other available site left. That site was a no show so I guess we got “lucky.” I paid $8 extra just to reserve. Otherwise it’s $20 a night for a tent site. The host yelled at his son in front of us, too. He wasn’t a young child and was actually super nice and tried to help. It was so uncomfortable. The campground itself was not bad. A weird layout for a few sites. I would stay again if there was a new host. We were right next to the water. The second night we were able to move into our actual reservation. Then it rained and hailed. Funny how that seems to happen on the weekends. We survived. It definitely was an experience with the weather that time. lol there’s trails and a lot of trees surrounding. Really nice location.
Camping sites near Bloomington, Idaho offer access to diverse terrain ranging from creek-side forests to lakefront settings at elevations between 5,900-7,000 feet. The camping season typically runs May through September with late June bringing peak wildflower displays followed by drier conditions in July and August. Many campgrounds feature creek access with natural sound barriers between sites.
Explore Minnetonka Cave: Located a short drive from St. Charles Campground, this limestone cave system makes for a cool day trip. "The Paris Ice Cave...is very interesting and I recommend visiting!" noted one camper about nearby attractions.
Fish mountain streams: Stream fishing opportunities abound with easy access from several campsites. "Great fishing and hiking. The hike to the headwaters is a must and if you're feeling up to it you can hike over the mountain to Bloomington Lake," reported a visitor about Willow Flat Campground.
UTV trail riding: Many forest roads and established trails accommodate off-road vehicles. "There's also tons of UTV/ATV trails nearby," mentioned one camper about the Willow Flat area. These trails connect multiple campgrounds throughout the Caribou National Forest.
Creek-side camping: The sound of running water creates natural noise buffers between sites. "The creek was 10 ft from our tent. Trail for hiking right there and the cleanest bathrooms! My boys could have stayed two weeks fishing the creek!" shared a visitor at Willow Flat.
Alpine wildflowers: Early season campers enjoy impressive floral displays in meadows and forests. "We passed through this campground late May. It's very secluded, located at the end of the road. The drive in from Paris is pretty," noted one visitor about Paris Springs Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas support diverse animal populations. "Saw a moose!" reported a camper at Willow Flat, while others mentioned frequent hummingbird and dragonfly sightings at Paris Springs, where "There were hummingbirds everywhere! And dragon flies too!"
Limited cell coverage: Service varies dramatically by location with most forest sites having spotty reception. "I had 2 bars of Verizon," reported one visitor to Emigration Campground, but coverage drops in valleys and densely forested areas.
Water availability: Many campgrounds post water notices early in the season. "They had signs posted stating the water at the provided spigots was not tested yet, therefore it should not be consumed," reported a camper at Cloverleaf Campground.
Road conditions: Access roads vary from paved to rough dirt tracks. "The road through the campground has a lot of deep potholes. The sites are small; some are pull through. I don't think I'd tow a camper longer than 20 ft through there," warned a visitor to Paris Springs.
Water safety: Creek water levels fluctuate throughout the season. "This year the runoff is very high and the creek was pretty swift for its size. Too fast to fish," noted a Cloverleaf visitor, making adult supervision essential.
Kid-friendly activities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreation areas. "My boys thought this was the greatest spot we've ever found... Trail for hiking right there and the cleanest bathrooms! Camp host was friendly and helpful with questions about exploring the area," shared a parent from Willow Flat.
Bear awareness: While not common, bears inhabit the region. "There are no bear boxes, but bears didn't seem to be an issue. We just kept our food in the car," reported an Emigration Campground visitor. Several campgrounds provide poles for hanging food supplies.
Site limitations: Many forest campgrounds have size restrictions. "I wouldn't take big rigs in here because most of the sites aren't long enough," advised an Emigration visitor, while another noted the campground has "a camp host up front that has firewood for sale."
Hookup options: For those requiring utilities, Bear Lake North RV Park and Campground provides full hookups. One visitor simply noted "Full Hookups. Nice staff," making it a convenient alternative to more rustic forest service sites.
Parking surfaces: Site conditions vary by location and season. "Road is very weathered asphalt, bumpy in spots. I didn't see tent pads," reported an Emigration Campground visitor, highlighting the need for leveling equipment for trailer camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV camping options near Bloomington Lake?
While Bloomington Lake itself has limited RV access due to mountain roads, several RV-friendly options exist in the surrounding area. Bear Lake Venture Park offers deluxe RV sites with more space and privacy, plus standard sites arranged in a loop. Traveland RV Park provides level sites with gravel pads just off the highway but tucked behind a hotel to minimize road noise. For those wanting to stay in the Bear Lake area while visiting Bloomington Lake, both Bear Lake/Trail Side KOA Journey and Epic RV Park & Marina provide additional options, though you'll need to drive to reach the lake.
Where exactly is Bloomington Lake camping located in Idaho?
Bloomington Lake is located in southeastern Idaho, near the Idaho-Utah border in the Bear River Range of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The lake sits at a higher elevation and is accessible via Forest Service roads. Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping provides access to this area, where you can follow the gravel road from Utah into Idaho for about 30 minutes to reach camping areas near Bloomington Lake. The road is generally 2WD friendly, though conditions can vary seasonally. Many campers access the area from nearby towns like Montpelier or St. Charles, which are close to Bear Lake.
What amenities are available at Bloomington Lake campground?
Bloomington Lake camping areas are primarily primitive with minimal amenities. Most camping near the lake is dispersed, requiring visitors to be self-sufficient. Beaver Creek in the same region offers a similar wilderness experience with isolated sites but minimal facilities. For more amenities, Willow Flat Campground in the broader area provides established campsites with access to creek water, though you'll still need to pack in most supplies. Most camping near Bloomington Lake requires pack-in/pack-out waste management, and visitors should bring their own drinking water, food, and camping supplies. Cell service is limited or non-existent in these remote mountain locations.
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