Tent camping around Boise, Idaho ranges from lowland sites along the Snake River at 2,200 feet to mountain campgrounds reaching 7,500 feet in elevation. The camping season varies dramatically with elevation, with higher sites like Bald Mountain typically accessible only from June through October. Most dispersed camping near Boise requires campers to pack in their own water and pack out all trash, with few sites offering potable water sources.
What to do
Fishing access points: The South Fork Recreation Site offers excellent fishing opportunities along the Payette River. One camper notes, "There are huge fish in the river below and the water is unbelievably clear, albeit 40ft down from the camp sites in most areas."
Birding opportunities: Swan Falls - Idaho Power campground provides prime bird watching. A reviewer mentions it's great for "watching the Birds of Prey, hearing coyotes yipping at night and having rabbits running around, as well as some deer cruising the area."
Water recreation: Many campsites provide river or lake access. At Swan Falls, one camper reports, "We were able to launch our kayaks for fishing and paddling for a couple of days. It is dry camping with no hookups... Fishing was awesome. I caught quite a few smallies."
What campers like
Convenient getaways: Many tent camping options near Boise require minimal travel time. As one camper at Cottonwood Campground notes, "Getting there, you will need to look for FS 377. The road is not very long and it's easily passable by any vehicle in decent mechanical condition."
Winter yurt options: For cold-weather camping, Idaho City Yurts offers heated shelters. A reviewer shared, "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."
Accessibility to activities: Many campsites provide easy access to recreational amenities. One camper at Shafer Butte mentioned, "Bogus Basin is very close. During the Summer Season they have scenic chairlift rides; inter tubing, mountain coaster, climbing wall, live music on weekends, food and beverage, mountain biking with lift service."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent sites near Boise have minimal amenities. At Bald Mountain Campground, a reviewer described it as a "Nice primitive USFS site. It's about 30 min above the highway so a bit far."
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires careful driving. For Willow Creek Campground, a reviewer warns, "Many people have died driving back in this dirt road on the edge of the reservoir. So be very careful. Once you make it though you have a very nice spot only 45 minutes away from town on the river!"
Environmental challenges: Weather, bugs, and terrain create obstacles for campers. At Willow Creek, a camper reported, "We must have gone when the misquitos were bad because holy cow were they bad, and no amount of anything repelled them. From 8am to about 10 pm, they swarmed us all!"
Noise concerns: Some seemingly remote tent camping locations near Boise suffer from noise pollution. At South Fork Recreation Site, a visitor noted, "there's a shooting range near the highway and the airport. Guns going off random times all day and into the evening. Ruins the tranquility."
Tips for camping with families
Look for beginner-friendly options: Some sites specifically cater to new campers. At Swan Falls, a reviewer recommended it as "a really nice area for families to fish and hike. The area is kept clean and everyone is super nice."
Find educational opportunities: Several Boise-area campgrounds offer learning experiences alongside camping. The Morley Nelson Snake River Dispersed Campsites provide views of the canyon formed by ancient flooding, with one camper sharing, "We parked right beside the river, and it was absolutely gorgeous."
Consider site layout: Some campgrounds have layouts more conducive to keeping track of children. One reviewer noted about the camping area, "Perfect place to teach young ones the joy of camping; campground is open, mostly flat and easy to keep your eyes the tykes."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many tent camping areas near Boise have restrictions on RV length. At Swan Falls, a reviewer noted, "RV should be smaller than 27'. We have a 27' Travel Trailer pulled with an extended long bed Chevy Silverado. We were able to get into the last or furthest campsite up stream."
Grade concerns: Mountain roads often have steep grades requiring adequate towing power. One camper at Swan Falls cautioned, "The drive down from the top is pretty steep. Ensure your vehicle is powerful enough to pull your rig back up the grade."
Mixed-use considerations: Some Boise-area campgrounds serve both tent and RV campers with varying levels of separation. The Caldwell Campground and RV Park offers "Approx, 10-12 Grassy Tent sites, with shady trees, on a small 6 acre lake with entertaining ducks" while also accommodating RVs with full hookups.
