Looking to go glamping near Boise National Forest and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? The Dyrt can help find the best glamping in and around Boise National Forest, ID. Glamping offers quick access to one or more of Boise National Forest's most popular destinations.
Mountain View Campground is located just east of Lowman, Idaho, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 3,900 feet. Visitors enjoy rafting, kayaking and fishing on the South Fork Payette River, and soaking in the area's many hot springs pools.
The South Fork Payette River offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing. The Deadwood and Danskin River Access areas are nearby. Popular Kirkham Hot Springs is less than 3 miles from the campground, with several soaking pools on the river's edge.
Towering Ponderosa pines cover the campground, offering partial shade in most sites. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape. Deer and elk may be seen wandering through the area on occasion.
For facility specific information, please call (208) 259-3361.
Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway and the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway. Both byways offer scenic views, wildlife watching, historical information kiosks and several trail opportunities. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the South Fork and Main Payette Rivers. Several companies in the area offer guided half and full-day trips.
$15 - $30 / night
Helende Campground is located 10 miles east of Lowman, Idaho, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 4,100 feet. The South Fork Payette River lies a few hundred yards away. Visitors enjoy fishing and rafting on the river, soaking at nearby Kirkham Hot Springs and exploring the extensive Kirkham Ridge Trail.
The South Fork Payette River offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing. The Deadwood and Danskin River Access areas are nearby. Popular Kirkham Hot Springs is less than 5 miles west of the campground along Highway 21. A trail with staircases leads down to the soaking pools on the riverside. Kirkham Ridge Trail is one of the Lowman Ranger District's premier trails. It begins near Kirkham Campground and stretches through beautiful country for 35 miles, connecting with many other trails in the area. It is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Sections of the trail are open seasonally to off-road vehicles.
The campground is situated in a dense forest of lodgepole and Ponderosa pine, which offers plentiful shade in most sites. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape. Deer and elk may be seen wandering through the area on occasion.
Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway and Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. Both byways offer scenic views, wildlife watching, historical information kiosks and several trail opportunities. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the South Fork and Main Payette Rivers. Several companies in the area offer guided half and full-day trips.
$12 - $24 / night
Bull Trout Campground is located on the shores of beautiful Bull Trout Lake at an elevation of 6,900 feet. The lake offers great fishing and canoeing opportunities. Many trails for hiking, biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding are in the area. Only equestrian users may reserve equestrian sites. If an equestrian site is not reserved, it may be occupied by other user groups on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bull Trout Lake offers excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities, as the lake is for non-motorized watercraft only. Anglers fish for brook and rainbow trout. A primitive boat ramp is located on the west side of the lake. Martin Lake is nearby, offering canoeing and fishing. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Many miles of trails can be found in the area, including the 11-mile Warm Spring Trail for hikers. The 35-mile Kirkham Ridge Trail is open to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and dirt biking.
The campground is situated in a mixed-growth forest of Douglas fir and lodgepole pine, which offers partial shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant.
$15 - $75 / night
Nestled in the Treasure Valley right on the Boise River, we are close to many area attractions. Boise RV parks offers a full range of enjoyment for the whole family and facilities for group gatherings. Our friendly and personalized service will be waiting to make your family or group's stay comfortable and enjoyable. We offer clean restroom facilities, hot showers, laundry facilities, river and greenbelt access surrounded by large commons areas.
$53 - $95 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to__first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival__as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Alturas Lake Inlet Campground is located on the shores of scenic Alturas Lake at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountain Range.
This site is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, where outdoor activities abound. Alturas Lake offers excellent boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing for bull trout and Kokanee salmon. The 10-mile round trip Alpine Meadows Trail begins nearby, with spectacular canyon, meadow and alpine lake views. The trail is also a popular area for bird watching.
Alturas Creek runs through the campground, where summer wildflowers are plentiful and a mixed-growth conifer forest provides partial shade. Temperatures are cool, with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
The Sawtooth National Recreation Area offers a myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities, and an estimated 750 miles of trails crisscross the valley and surrounding mountains. Perkins Lake is less than 2 miles away, with excellent fishing and canoeing. Pettit and Yellowbelly Lakes are nearby, with more fishing, canoeing and hiking. The Salmon River offers fishing for rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout and occasional hybrid cutbows and bull trout. Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.
$24 - $48 / night
Great place to camp with horses, pets and family. Just one mile North of quaint Idaho City. Walking distance to the Rodeo Arena, playground and just around the corner is the public RV Dump. About a mile to Morris Creek for a cooling swim. 2.5 miles to The Springs, Hot Springs Retreat. So much history in this part of the Boise National Forest. Right off Highway 21. 123 Bucking Horse Lane, Idaho City, ID First Come, First Serve. Pay Station with envelopes provided. Individual sites might be reserved, please check for signs.
$35 / night
River Side Campground is located along the Deadwood River at the north end of scenic Deadwood Reservoir at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Boating, fishing and hiking are popular activities.
Because of its remote location, Deadwood Reservoir is quiet and unpopulated, making for great fishing for Chinook and Kokanee salmon, and rainbow and cutthroat trout. Boating, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking are popular on the lake. A boat ramp is located about 2 miles away at Cozy Cove Campground.Many trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback and off-road vehicle riding are in the area.
The campground is situated in a mixed-growth pine forest, which offers plentiful shade. Summer wildflowers are abundant. The entire campground affords views of the river.
$12 / night
A nice small campground in the trees along Bench Creek near Highway 21. Fishing in the stream and nearby Bull Trout Lake. Trail adjacent to the campground, heading southeast to Stanley Lake. Each of the 5 sites have picnic tables and fire rings with cooking grills. Amenities within the campground include a vault toilet. No drinking water is provided on site, and this small campground accommodates smaller trailers and motorhomes up to 30 feet long.
Ranger
Spend 6 nights here while exploring Stanley, the sawtooths, and Boise National Forest. Big sites, beautiful lake, and very private. Really enjoyed our stay here.
Guide
Not sure if this page is the actual spot where the Yurts are but I have to say if you haven't stayed in one, your missing out on a wonderful experience.
LegendI have only been to there in the winter but I imagine that hiking in is just a beautiful! You need to bring everything but a bed and stove, which are in the yurt. Lots of hiking or cross-country skiing in the area.
Guide
This is a good option between Ketchum and Stanley to go explore the sawtooth mountains. It’s a little bit of everything, lodge, yurts, cabins, rv spots, gas station, restaurant. RV spots were reasonable level. Bathrooms were clean. They had horseshoes and bean bags in a common area. No picnic tables or fire pits though. RV spots were pretty wide, which was nice
One tip, avoid spot number #17 if possible. The sewer hookup was loose and shared with a long term resident on the other side, also the water spigot was broken so we had to use the spigot for spot #16. #17 is not terrible, but other spots are much better.
Legend
This is a conveniently located campground near all the amenities of Idaho City. Miles of forest for hiking, exploring and fishing. Right off Highway 21, it's easy to find with ample space between campsites. A great base camp for exploring the area.
Guide
Like most (it seems) campgrounds, this place is badly in need of maintenance. When it rains, the "roads" (term used loosely) are mud puddles. Your site is too, unfortunately. Most of the park is long-term scum campers, junk all over the sites, loud trucks, loud music.
To top it off, many of these hobos take pleasure in putting dog food bowls of duck food out, so you can count on duck crap all over the place, on your rig, on your vehicle. The constant quacking makes you think you're on an island in the river. It will drive your dog nuts too.
The Greenbelt:
Pretty, but VERY overcrowded. If you're looking for some peace walking by the river, forget it. Spandex wearing cycle maggots, too self-important to even bother to say "on your left" or ring a bell, come ripping up behind you, inches away, as if they despise you "being in the way". Most are wearing mirror shades so they don't have to smile at anyone.
All in all, there are much better places to spend time in Idaho. Try Idaho Falls, or Twin Falls. Stanley and Coeur d'Alene are both gorgeous. Boise is basically California, including the the corresponding batch of jerks just like you find in California.
Originally planned to stay here three months, left after a few weeks. Obviously, won't be returning.
LegendThis RV Camping Site is AWESOME! They do allow tent camping and have cabins. They have full hookups for RV's as well. There is a lower rate for "back-ins" to the Boise River Greenbelt. They also have a higher rate for Pull Through Sites for RVs. There is so much to do in the area. Biking, hiking, walking along the Boise River. There is also some great fishing on the Boise River. This location is centered for city goers, snow skiers, white water rafters and anglers. We visited some nice restaurants within a short drive of the campgrounds. We rode our bikes along the trails, upstream and downstream. The campgrounds also rent bikes for those that don't have their own :-) You will not be disappointed with this campground if you want to get to know Boise, Idaho.
Legend
Fort Running Bear RV Park, Idaho
If you like the middle of nowhere, you will like Fort Running Bear RV Park. It is approximately 32 miles to the middle of nowhere, the last three are on a dirt road. You are driving through scrub country with no trees and hills in the distance. Then you see a copse of trees in the distance. That is where you end up. This is an older campground, private and family run. There is a shower house attached to the swimming pool and a laundry room. The sites have room around them for tents, bikes, etc; a covered picnic table , most have shade and fire rings. There are full hookup sites and basic sites. When we visited the wind was wiping through the area. The owners are personable and friendly, the campground is well maintained. The shower house ...clean and a little old. This would be a nice place to spend a quiet weekend or time with the family. It would not make sense to use this campground for a base camp due to the distance from anywhere.
Guide
This campground has some decent sites down near the river, but the sites up higher are noisy due to the highway, and don't have much shade. There are no hookups or dump station, so this is a weekend site for most. There is a water spigot to get water from, and a couple of small outhouses, but the one near our site had been destroyed by a falling tree and just closed instead of being rebuilt. The sites have picnic table, fire ring, but not much for tent pads.
ScoutGreat sites lined up along the South Fork of the Payette River, pristine waters! Bathrooms and potable water. Hot springs nearby.
RangerWe stayed for one night on a road trip West. Nice paved drive on our site, a big groomed flat spot for a tent, a nice fire pit with cooking grate, and sturdy picnic table. Our site was right on the Payette River, and we enjoyed watching some inflatable boats go by. Pit toilets were highly acceptable, and we could also wade right into the shallows of the river. Would stay again!
LegendThis is great stop for a visit to Craters of the moon. Our site was close to the highway, but not much traffic in the evening. The campground was very clean and well kept. The sites were not very far apart, but fine for a couple nights. We did not check out the restaurant, but heard it was good!! We would definitely stay here again if in the area.
GuideBeautiful view of the river from many sites. Reservations seem to be accepted but we did not have a reservation. We camped here to be near white water rafting. Consider rafting with payette river company 208-720-7039. They are awesome and take rafts out at the end of this campground.
Legend
Nice little campground with less than a dozen sites. Everything is very flat here so no worries about finding a level site. The river is nearby but there is no real access here. Go down the road a bit and you will have some nice water access. The campground is clean and maintained, with the usual picnic tables and fire pits. No dedicated tent pads, but lots of cushy pine needles for under your tent. Lots of trees that are good for hammocks, just know that you might get a drop or two of pine sap dripping on you. Pop down to the Lowman ranger station down river a few miles to get some good maps; while you are at it, stop in at the Lowman Inn for some killer pizza.
TravelerWe stayed here in the summer of 2017. it didn’t look like much as we pulled up, because there were a lot of trees that had been burned in a recent fire. however, we had a lot of fun. we discovered the river that ran behind the campground there and spent quite a bit of time there just hanging out. You could definitely hear the roar of cars since it was pretty close to the highway, but it wasn’t overly distracting. overall had a fun time with the family!
TravelerThis is a first come first serve for tent camping, and we grabbed the last spot on this trip. However, it was within walking distance of the water for swimming and fishing.
Also VERY clean toilets!
Other than it was hot mid-day, it was beautiful, plus an amazing hiking trail is close too.
RangerFamily reunion just up the road from bull trout lake next to what we call "Frog Lake". Frog lake is up the road from Bulltrout on one of the smaller ponds. It was a little dry this year so the pond was at a lower level than normal. Still lots of trout in the pond and saw about an Osprey catch fish every morning.
LegendWe LOVED our campsite at Bill Trout Lake. We had a lakefront spot, tons of trees around, and enough space to have privacy from other campsites. All of the campsite we’ve seen were very spacious. We had a camper van and other people had tents. The sites fit a 5-person tent plus a 2 person tent, hammocks, camping table plus camping stove. Each site has a concrete picnic table and concrete benches. All of the lakefront sites on our side had individual access to the lake. The lake is shallow and perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking. We saw one person fishing! This campsite is remote, no cell phone signal and that’s what we were looking for. We were able to disconnect, relax and reset! We had our dog with us and were able to have his lead tied to two trees to allow him to run from one side to another. Tons of chip monks (drove him nuts LOL). We saw a lot of chip monks and pretty birds. Thanks fully we did not see any bears although it is bear country! There was one bathroom by our campsite. Super clean, the campground manager came around everyday to check on the sites and she made sure only those who had a reservation were there. We had a beautiful view of the lake. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I read a book in two days! We definitely want to go back. Our campsite was number 5 and my favorite. Great shaded area. We liked the fact there was a lot of space and you are not on top of one another. We had a camper van and it got a bit chili at night but we had blankets so we were fine. There’s a small area for kids to go biking around these campsites. The closest grocery store and gas station is about 45 minutes from the campground so make sure you have everything you need, unless you plan on driving around! The roads are not paved so make sure your tires are in good conditions so you don’t get a flat. You would be on your own cuz there is no cell signal until you are back on the road (freeway/highway). Well worth the trip! We were there in the middle of the week so it wasn’t busy but it started getting crowded as we were leaving (on a Friday). We would recommend this campground! Get a lakefront spot, bring enough food, drinks, water, a paddle board or just your camping chairs, enjoy the beautiful views of the lake and mountains, disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature and have fun!
TravelerThis campsite was a little slice of heaven, I honestly contemplated reviewing it because it want to keep this gem hidden. We were originally booking in an equestrian site but we don't own horses the camp host left us a little sticky note (there is not cell service) on the fence when we arrived to let us know that our campsite had been moved. We drove down the dirt road a little more and went to our new site, as well pulled up we were greated with the best lake view and a massive campsite. There isn't that many amenities at this campsite, it's a pack in pack our but there is a dumpster and vault toilets one for every I'd say 8 or 9 sites. The views were the best part, the camp hosts were kind and frequently driving through to make sure we are ok. They do sell wood bundles for $5 which was great because we ran out of wood multiple time and driving to Stanley they wanted $13 a bundle. This is now our favorite campsite and we will for sure be back!
ScoutWe love camping in this campground. The reason for only three stars is because of the extremely rude behavior of the"camp host". We will not be going back as long as she is still there. This is our third time camping there and we have never seen treated so poorly by a camp host.
Guide
This place is such a fun weekend getaway, it's far enough to get some peace and quiet, yet it is also close enough to where you can be in the mountains with a short drive
GuideCamping in walking a short distance to float the river
ScoutWe stayed in site #5 with a 30’ trailer, there was plenty of room for my truck and trailer in this site. The other sites would be tight with a trailer this size. We had great waterfront access, there is no real beach and the slope into the water is steep. My kids are older so it was not a problem. We only stayed one night as some real pieces of work (being polite) moved in and ran us and another family out. I would go back.
Legend
Up near the top of the pass is Bench Creek campground. There are only 6 sites on this lollipop loop, all on the non-highway side. But you can hear the highway from everywhere in the campground. Sites 2, 3, and 4 back up nicely to the creek. Vault toilet but no water or trash, so pack in pack out. Across the highway are some OHV trails, so you will also get some of that noise in the day. Every site has the standard picnic table and fire pit, but fire season is real, so maybe skip the fire.
RangerClose to the road so you get a little road noise. Nice small quiet campground. Wasn’t to busy when visited. Got starlink but no Verizon service. Clean sites and nicely paved.
Traveler
This is one of the most gorgeous locations for camping. The campground is right on the lake which is perfect for those of us who like to bring our canoes and kayaks. It is well cared for and clean. The toilet is a also stocked and clean. The lake itself is pristine and beautiful. I recommend highly!
GuideCozy and pretty spacious spots. Right near the lake
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Boise National Forest is Mountain View with a 4-star rating from 5 reviews.
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