Boise National Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Idaho camping has to offer. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
"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."
"Where the coordinates are on this map is about 30 minutes down a gravel road that looks ok, but is very rutted."
"Me and boyfriend enjoy going here in the fall and spring to get away from the city for a day or two. There is hiking right across the street. Mt Heinen which is a very strenous hike."
"This campground is accessible by a long dirt/gravel road, with drop offs on one side to the reservoir. Just be prepared for that and drive safely / don't be jn a hurry."
"Road to get to Willow Creek was a little rough, about 15 miles on a bumpy dirt road. The camp ground was great. No reservation, first come, no fee."
"Pit toilet on site. No boat launch but easy enough for small craft or floaties. Sloped, not much level spots. Nice views and easy bank fishing."
"The location is absolutely beautiful, a small piece of heaven. There are maybe 10-15 roughly built fire rings, and you can walk or park right on the waters edge."
"Perfect for an overnight stop during a long drive. The access road also serves residential property some distance away so is well maintained."
"This is a clearly dispersed location. There is a single pit toilet. Camped right next to the lake. Lots of bugs being close to water but seemingly few mosquitoes"
"Alpine lake is approx. 5.5mi from the Redfish Lake Inlet. With a 2000ft elevation gain and some killer switchbacks as you hike into altitude, the lake rests at about 8300ft."
"The roads in to this area, NF-563/Stanley Creek Rd and NF-633/Nip and Tuck Road are in pretty decent shape for all vehicles coming in from the West off of Hwy 21, but be warned, do not come in from the"
"This stretch of dispersed camping is amazing. Above the town of Stanley and overlooking the Sawtooths."
"I wont rattle on about how we were within 2 mins of a hiking trail that leads you to "Hell's Roaring lake", or about the amazing Trout fishing within 10 feet of my tent, or even the stunning sunrises every"
"There was road noise from the nearby highway but otherwise it was quiet. I saw people fishing so I assume it's good for that. The river is great for rinsing off as well."
TravelerCamping is free, limit of 10 days. Not really any designated sites and surrounded by private land with aggressive signage. Not all roads around the reservoir are public, so be prepared to turn around and back up at dead ends. We came to an orange gate that said "private property", and stopped. While trying to turn around, we noticed a white truck sitting behind us. When we turned around and passed him, he motioned to roll down the window, and then berated us and called us idiots, even though we had not even entered the private land, nor did we want to. We felt threatened. In the end we chose a site on the upper road of the reservoir. The view was nice but not close to the pit toilet. No fire ring. No table. A no frills place. Like many lakes in Idaho, the reservoir is mostly dry. Not a huge deal but not the prettiest to look at. There is only one single pit toilet for the whole reservoir and someone was set up right next to it like it was their own. People ride off-road vehicles here. In an area with slim pickings for free camping, I guess you have to take what you can get.
GuideIn this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3. All locations are in the Sawtooth National Forest and there is a 10 day stay limit between May 1- September 15th with an unlimited stay limited outside of that time period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WWH8Vb49Ow&t=531s
LegendIf you show up to Redfish Lake on a busy weekend and all of the campgrounds are reserved/full, no worries. There is a bunch of free dispersed camping all along highway 75. A quick stop at the Forest Service Office down the road and I had a pretty good map of the forest roads in the area, but more importantly, a tip about free camping a stone’s throw away from Redfish Lake and Sunny Gulch campground. The road in is a bit rough with ruts and rocks, but there are several established sites with fire rings. There was a loop to the right with about 8 such sites and a loop to the right with about 5 sites as well as one that was hidden behind the site I chose that you had to walk in to(it was actually a nicer site than the one I chose, but I was tired and set up before I saw it on my explorations. There was one vault toilet that was not especially clean, but free is free, and if you really wanted to, you could walk less than a quarter mile across to the developed Sunny Gulch campground. There are no picnic tables or grills or tent pads, but definitely stone fire rings at each site so no worries as long as you brought your own camp chair. If you need a shower, head into Redfish Lake to use the public pay showers there.
RangerLarge open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents.
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. At those times expect loud parties and even fights or gunfire which the rangers will also do nothing about.
Other than that its great. Take a right on the highway and head to the sourdough lodge for the best pancakes for hundreds of miles.
There are many other dispersed and paid spots along the highway.
Details: Free camping 14 Day limit No tables at campsites Minimal wood to scavenge Town of Lowman is close by No trash, water, or toilets
RangerEasy to get to, no marked spots, tent or small to mid RV. Pit toilet on site. No boat launch but easy enough for small craft or floaties. Sloped, not much level spots. Nice views and easy bank fishing.
Details: No site boundaries, easily crowds No trash or water Long drive to services Slow drive in if towing medium or large trailer No tables Minimal rock fire rings Long drive to town, bring plenty of stuff Free stat, 14 day limit, rangers may stop by and say hi, if you’re lucky they’ll clean and restock the toilet. Don’t count on being lucky
LegendEntering the park is beautiful! There’s a paved road with campsites you need a reservation for. Where the coordinates are on this map is about 30 minutes down a gravel road that looks ok, but is very rutted. I drive a cargo van and it shook everything to the point where I didn’t want to do 30 minutes of it. There are signs that say “no roadside camping next 7 miles”, but after mile marker 7, you’ll notice fire rings off the sides of the roads on both sides, including lake front. So I just want to make sure y’all know that you don’t actually have to drive all the way down to the dispersed spots to find camping. Other than that, it’s a gorgeous area. No Verizon service for me.
GuideMe and boyfriend enjoy going here in the fall and spring to get away from the city for a day or two. There is hiking right across the street. Mt Heinen which is a very strenous hike. Its over 9 miles(up and back) and over a 3,000 ft gain so be prepared if you try to tackle this summit. Anyways, the campground has some fire pits but no picnic tables. There are a few trees for shade. One part of this campground that confuses me is that there use to be a small outhouse in summer of 2018 but when I came in 2019 in march and April there was not one? When we come in the fall and spring theres no one other than us there. In the summer it does get quite a few people there. Also it gets super hot in the summertime so be sure to bring plenty of water. Good thing is you can take a dip in the cold reservoir to cool off. There's no trash services so pack it in and pack it out. A lot of people come here to party and leave trash around so i make it a point to pick it up. Please don't be those people to ruin a beautiful free spot. 💚
TravelerPerfect for an overnight stop during a long drive. The access road also serves residential property some distance away so is well maintained. The primitive camping spots are close enough to the highway to make it a quick drive but far enough away to buffer most noise from passing traffic. Even though the landscape seems sparse there was very active wildlife during our stay, with many species of birds throughout the night and a chorus of coyotes at one point. The water level was really low, which would probably inhibit launching larger water craft, but the reservoir still provided a peaceful atmosphere. There definitely isn't any nearby wood for fires so people do need to bring in their own.
GuideDown a dirt road. This used to be a boat ramp, but it doesn't exist anymore. A few fire pits scattered around the hill and by the water. Vault toilet available. Great views of the mountains. No privacy other than some sage brush. No room for big rigs, 4wd not required.
Experience the beauty of nature with dispersed camping near Boise National Forest in Idaho. This area offers a variety of spots where you can enjoy the great outdoors without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best spots for dispersed camping in Boise National Forest?
Boise National Forest offers several excellent dispersed camping areas. Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed provides beautiful waterfront camping with hiking opportunities nearby, though be prepared for a rutted 30-minute gravel road drive to reach the best spots. Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground offers easy access with nice views and bank fishing, though it has sloped terrain with limited level spots. Other good options include Forest Service Campsite FR0215B which has large open sites suitable for groups and RVs, and Willow Creek Campground for a relaxing riverside experience. Most dispersed sites throughout the forest have a 10-day stay limit and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Is there a map available for dispersed camping in Boise National Forest?
Yes, maps for dispersed camping in Boise National Forest are available. The Forest Service Office provides detailed maps of forest roads and designated dispersed camping areas. As noted by campers at Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed, a quick stop at the local Forest Service Office will provide you with good maps of the forest roads in the area. Little Camas Reservoir and other dispersed sites are marked on these maps. Additionally, you can find Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUMs) online through the USFS website that show roads where dispersed camping is permitted. These maps are typically free and essential for navigating the extensive network of forest roads and identifying legal camping areas.
Is dispersed camping free in Boise National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping in Boise National Forest is free. Herrick Reservoir Access follows the standard forest policy with free camping and a 10-day stay limit. Similarly, Willow Creek Campground offers free camping with no reservations required. Throughout the forest, dispersed camping areas typically don't charge fees, though they lack amenities like running water, trash service, or developed facilities. Always practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and waste. Be aware that while camping is free, some areas may have seasonal restrictions or closures due to fire danger, wildlife management, or resource protection.
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