Best Tent Camping near Boise, ID

Famous for sunshine, good weather, and good snow, Boise deserves a spot on any adventurer’s bucket list. Idaho is an outdoors paradise on its own, and Boise is the jumping-off point for any good Idaho adventure.

The best camping near Boise is just outside of the city in the sprawling Boise National Forest. While Boise itself isn’t filled with camping, a handful of RV parks are available. It isn’t a long drive to get from the Boise area to any of the surrounding national forests, so day-trippers seeking more traditional accommodations can easily stay in Boise or Nampa, ID. If you’re looking for campgrounds, Boise National Forest is filled with campsites that are both reservable and first-come, first-served.

Best Tent Sites Near Boise, Idaho (30)

    1. Idaho City Yurts — Idaho Parks and Recreation State Headquaters

    4 Reviews
    Boise, ID
    6 miles
    Website

    "I 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.  "

    "Firewood included in purchase of renting. One time I went I miss read the reservation date and got kicked out by another group. So we had to hike down in a snow storm. It was still fun."

    2. Shafer Butte

    4 Reviews
    Horseshoe Bend, ID
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 587-7961

    $10 - $75 / night

    "Less than an hour from downtown Boise. Beautiful, scenic views, off the main road so it's mostly quiet. Tent only, but nicely maintained tent pads, fire rings and picnic tables."

    "It was a no frills place and we were dirtier than usual since there was no running water. it also had no firewood for sale, so we hauled ours up. We knew all this going in, so it didn’t matter."

    3. Swan Falls - Idaho Power

    16 Reviews
    Murphy, ID
    27 miles
    Website

    "It is dry camping with no hookups. No reservations, so it's on a first come first serve basis. Our site had a fire pit but no picnic table. Fishing was awesome."

    "If you're needing a quick getaway for the weekend but cant go too far from Boise/Meridian, Swan Falls is the place for you!"

    4. Caldwell Campground and RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Caldwell, ID
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 454-0279

    $28 - $43 / night

    "Approx, 10-12 Grassy Tent sites, with shady trees, on a small 6 acre lake with entertaining ducks that do not beg for food. Lol. Lots of RV sites with full hook ups, including, 105 long term users."

    "Clean facilities.. , need a code to use them, Roads are dusty, if people would drive slow it would e nicer, Busy place, this is a flat rate place."

    5. Cottonwood Campground

    1 Review
    Idaho City, ID
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 587-7961

    6. Willow Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 587-7961

    8. Bald Mountain Campground

    1 Review
    Idaho City, ID
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 392-6681

    "Nice primitive USFS site. It's about 30 min above the highway so a bit far. Close to the bald mtn lookout"

    9. South Fork Recreation Site

    3 Reviews
    Garden Valley, ID
    35 miles
    Website

    "Long runway, above a big field for camping and plenty of trees to set up a hammock. Right along the river, all we heard was the sound of running water. Very big mountains around, plenty for hiking."

    "You’ll hear echos of gunfire, the occasional semi blasting up the highway or the rumble of tons of bikes making their way up the highway... and if its fire season, there will be helicopters coming in and"

    10. Banks

    2 Reviews
    Banks, ID
    33 miles
    Website
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Tent Camping Reviews near Boise, ID

445 Reviews of 30 Boise Campgrounds


  • Anna W.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground

    Nice little campground. Small sites.

    Bad Bear is a nice little campsite outside of Idaho City. The sites are good size with adequate privacy. There is lots of tree cover for shade during those warm summer days, and a babbling brook at the back of the campground. Each site had a picnic table, fire ring, and there is a well for water and a vault toilet. We enjoyed our stay here, mostly because there wasn't anyone else camping in the campground when we were there in mid-July! Score! We grabbed the big site, but the other sites seemed a bit small. Would recommend for a easy campsite close to Idaho City and just a quick little jaunt from Boise.

  • K
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Dog Creek Campground - Idaho

    It's ok as a fall-back option

    My wife and I were forced to make last minute changes to our camping trip this year(thanks to the Wapiti 2024 fire in Stanley) and Dog Creek was the only campground available on the dates we had set aside. We had been up to Pine once before but had never explored past the town. 

    The campground itself is quiet and away from the main road but it is directly parallel to the South Fork of the Boise River. There are a TON of ponderosa pines and other various pine trees so the campground looks small because of the dense tree cover. From the main road, the main drive is a fairly narrow paved dirt/gravel road and not bumpy at all so most vehicles shouldn’t have an issue with it. 

    The camp sites themselves are a little close to each other but you’re not shoulder to shoulder or directly on top of each other. The camp host greeted us upon our arrival, filled us in on the fire restrictions and said to let him know if we needed anything. 

    We had reserved sites 10 and 11 but in reality, they might as well call it a group site because there is no separation between the two, you even share a"driveway”. There were fire rings, tent pads(at some sites) and picnic tables, along with shepherds hooks for hanging trash off of the ground. There were also metal tables at every site that we think are intended for camp stoves.(The picnic tables are wood)The fire rings were well cared for(none damaged that we saw and they all had adjustable grills)….but our fire ring was very close to the bushes which was a little sketchy. 

    This campground is nice and quiet and full of trees. But unfortunately, for us, that’s where the appeal ends. In order to get to the actual Dog Creek from the campground, you have to hope that sites 2 and 5 are not occupied and even then, the creek isn’t super exciting. It’s pretty but it’s a climb down into a ravine of sorts and it’s not deep enough to lay in and there aren’t any places to setup chairs to just enjoy it. The water flowing through the creek is clean and it is pretty to look at, but that’s about all it’s good for. 

    As for other things to do at the campground, there isn’t much. There are no hiking trails as far as we could tell, but if you go across the street to the river, you can actually enjoy your stay, assuming the banks of the river aren’t packed with dispersed campers and their ATV’s. 

    The campground does have water spigots and the water tasted fine. The restrooms(vault toilets) were impeccable in terms of cleanliness. Some of the nicest Forest Service campground restrooms we’ve used and the camp host does an awesome job of keeping them clean and bug free. 

    Speaking of bugs, we didn’t see many mosquitoes but we did see a good amount of bees, wasps and yellow jackets and there were traps setup throughout the campground so bring an epi pen if you’re allergic to any of them. 

    We lost cell service just after the reservoir (T-Mobile) but my satellite communicator worked fairly well at the campground. 

    There are dumpsters to take your trash just inside the entrance to the campground, which is a little annoying as you have to walk quite a ways to dump it, but there were also no critters hanging around the sites. 

    Dog Creek campground is the type of campground where you setup your camper or RV and leave for the day to do other things. Whether it’s boating at Anderson Ranch, taking the ATV’s up into the mountains or try to find hiking trails. The campground itself is very pretty BUT it doesn’t offer much in terms of things to do while there. However, if you are looking for some peace and quiet, with very little noise from the outside world, it’s great.

  • M
    Jan. 17, 2021

    Little Camas Reservoir

    A forgotten gem

    We camped here in June 2020. There are clean vault toilets but not much else. The reservoir was practically empty. There were not picnic tables and the roads off the main road were not maintained. It was hard to tell if there were campsites there at all, but there were fire rings so we pulled in next to one and set up. One other camper came in later and set up down by the lake, but otherwise it was really quiet. Nice place to get away from everyone during a pandemic.

  • C
    Feb. 4, 2021

    Celebration Park

    Everything a campground should be

    Celebration Park is the perfect campground for basic boondocking (with bathrooms). It is remote and wild with non-stop views from every site and many outdoor activities nearby. At the entrance to the campground, there is a visitors center, many picnic tables, fire rings, an interpretive walk, and access to the riverfront. This is where the bathrooms are containing a single sink, electrical outlet and two toilets. No showers are available. The bathroom was exceptionally clean when I stayed there. The park adjoins BLM land. There are no hookups for power, water or sewer. Potable water is accessed from the bathrooms and spigots near the entrance. The camping area goes on for at least 1/4 mile along the river and more sites are away from the water. 

    Some reviewers mention the bugs. Yes there were swarming gnats when I visited in February, not unbearable, but worth noting if that bothers you. Also note the wind coming down the gorge creates some showy sandstorms. (See video) Hey, it's the outdoors.

    The county park is located on the Snake River Gorge about 25 miles from the nearest town. It is located on the northern fridge of the Morley Birds of Prey Sanctuary. You will awaken to the sound of the ducks and geese and can watch hawks and ravens soar on the winds rushing through the gorge. This is not the best place for watching the raptors, as I learned on staying there. Swan Falls south about 15 miles is for wildlife viewing, nevertheless, there was plenty to see and I spent two nights there. 

    A walk up away from the river takes you to a large lake and you can also cross the historic rail bridge to the other bank of the river and climb to the top of the gorge. Excellent place for stargazing, but avoid the sites closest to the visitor center where the lights interfere with prevent perfect darkness.

  • Jeff M.
    May. 10, 2018

    Shafer Butte

    One of my favorites

    Less than an hour from downtown Boise. Beautiful, scenic views, off the main road so it's mostly quiet. Tent only, but nicely maintained tent pads, fire rings and picnic tables. Perfect place to teach young ones the joy of camping; campground is open, mostly flat and easy to keep your eyes the tykes. One of the most enjoyable drives, ever.

  • Easton S.
    Oct. 30, 2019

    Edna Creek Campground

    very easy going

    Ranger review: Banner and Oak life straw water bottle at Edna creek campground Idaho. 

    Campground review

    These campgrounds are pretty nice. They had snow early on in the season and it was pretty chilly when we were there. It's not a bad drive from Boise ID as long as the roads aren’t icy. The bathroom was nice enough as you can see in the pictures, but it is just a pit. It is free at least in the off season no guarantees in season. There is a dumpster, but you can’t use it in the winter. The sites are nice and large enough for a medium size family there is a picnic table and a pole to hold a trash bag or a lantern which is very nice. The fire ring was nice but not very deep because of past fires. We had a nice little creek running right near our site. The campground was not very busy so we had no trouble getting a spot and if it had been full there were other places we could have gone with no trouble.

     Product review 

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. Today, I am testing the Life Straw Water Bottle as sold on Banner and Oak. Lifestraw Water Bottle at Banner and Oak. The water bottle is very nice looking. It does exactly as stated on the Banner and Oak site. You just fill the water bottle with flowing water. Screw the cap on and then drink the water through the straw. It does need a little more suction power to pull the water through the filter, which is noticeable but, not a big problem. Fair warning the water did taste different than tap water, but I think this is to be expected with any filter. One really cool thing about this water bottle is that for every bottle purchased they give clean water to a school child in Africa for a whole year. This is a huge bonus! This bottle is ideal for camping and hiking adventures. It is also, a good emergency essential.

  • Amy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2020

    Edna Creek

    Nice Campground

    Edna Creek campground is  off of Highway 21 and is a little farther off the main road that some of other near by campgrounds.   It is a little more private and quiet.  I like this campground because it is more geared toward tent camping.  There is limited space for larger RVs.  There are no RV type amenities.  Just vault toilets, picnic tables and campfire rings.  I believe there is also a water pump.  Lots of access to hiking around here which is a plus for me!

  • Mike W.
    May. 16, 2019

    Mountain View

    Easy to get to, right on the Payette river

    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.

  • Jeff M.
    May. 9, 2018

    Grayback Campground and Group Sites - Reserve

    Grayback is OPEN!

    Flood Waters washed out the bridge that connects Hwy 21 to the campsite in 2016.  

    UPDATE:  Grayback Gulch is OPEN and a wonderful little campground a short drive from Boise.    No hookups, but the toilets are clean and there are two fresh water pumps.   Fishing is available in nearby Moores Creek.  If you can get a campsite along the north end, you may have walking access to a small stream that burps and gurgles down the hillside.   There may be ATV traffic as it's a popular location for families.  I really like using this as a quick 'getaway' overnight.


Guide to Boise

Boise, Idaho, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation in nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • At Caldwell Campground and RV Park, you'll find clean facilities, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, making it a convenient choice for families.
  • Shafer Butte provides a serene environment with picnic tables and toilets, perfect for those seeking a rustic camping experience.
  • The Idaho City Yurts offer unique glamping options with cozy yurts, complete with firewood and a picnic area for a comfortable stay.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $40

  • Camping at Cottonwood Campground is free, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious campers who enjoy fishing.
  • Willow Creek Campground has a low-cost setup, ideal for those looking to enjoy a peaceful riverside experience without breaking the bank.
  • For a more developed site, Caldwell Campground and RV Park charges a flat rate, regardless of the length of stay, providing good value for amenities offered.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Shafer Butte, enjoy scenic hikes and the thrill of mountain biking at the nearby Bogus Basin Mountain Resort.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at Cottonwood Campground, known for its small size and angler-friendly atmosphere.
  • South Fork Recreation Site offers stunning views and trails for hiking and four-wheeling, making it a great spot for adventure seekers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Boise, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Boise, ID is Idaho City Yurts — Idaho Parks and Recreation State Headquaters with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Boise, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Boise, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.