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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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!"
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
