Tent camping options near Burley, Idaho center around rustic sites in the South Hills and Albion Mountains. Most primitive campsites operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with elevations ranging from 5,000 to over 7,000 feet. Winter conditions close many access roads, particularly to high-elevation campgrounds, between November and May.
What to do
Fishing at alpine lakes: Independence Lakes Campground serves as a basecamp for anglers seeking trout in nearby alpine waters. "My son fished with hopes of catching a grayling. He took the winning photo of the lake!" reports Colette A. about her Independence Lakes Campground trip.
Mountain hiking: The South Hills provide numerous trail options with varying difficulty. "It's a 2.5 mile hike to the first lake. It inclines all the way up. You are treated with beautiful back country views, met with several switch backs before reaching the first lake," explains Vanessa H. about the Independence Lakes trail system.
Rock climbing: City of Rocks National Reserve offers exceptional climbing opportunities. "Withing 100' of the site are ~20 routes and one of the mega classics of the City, Bloody Fingers on the east side of the loaves," shares Alan B. about the Bread Loaves Group Campsite.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. "Dark, quiet and starry at night with long views to the south," notes James C. about his stay at Twin Sisters Group Campsite.
Cooler temperatures: Higher elevation sites provide relief from summer heat. "We came up here looking to escape the heat of the city and were not disappointed. It was a good 10 degrees cooler and cooled off quickly when the sun went down," shares Amanda M. about Bear Gulch.
Wildlife viewing: Campers frequently report spotting various bird species and occasionally larger wildlife. "Situated by a pond with lots of birds made our stay very peaceful," writes Becbecandbunny O. about their McClendon Spring experience.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds require travel on unmarked dirt roads. "Don't use Apple Maps. Google will get you there on the easiest road," advises Rachele V. about reaching McClendon Spring Campground.
Limited campsite availability: Several campgrounds have very few established sites. "Looks like a nice spot with a pit toilet, but there is only 2 spots that I saw, both taken," reports Michael U. about McClendon Spring.
Pack all supplies: No services exist at most sites. "This is a typical BLM site. Be prepared with everything you might need," advises Maureen F. regarding camping supplies.
Tips for camping with families
Consider site access difficulty: Some campgrounds require short hikes from parking areas. "The site is a little bit of a walk from the parking lot so bring something to haul your stuff in," suggests Alan B. about camping at Bread Loaves.
Plan for temperature swings: Days can be hot while nights cool significantly. "We camped here in October during an unseasonably hot few days... It has great shade for City of Rocks," notes Angela S. about her family's experience.
Look for creek-adjacent sites: Several campgrounds offer streamside camping opportunities. "The campsites are all lined up in a row next to the creek and trees," explains Alan B. about Third Fork Campground.
Tips from RVers
High-clearance vehicles recommended: Many access roads present challenges for standard vehicles. "About 3 1/2 miles on a semi maintained gravel road. Lots of cows," notes Al L. about the route to McClendon Spring Campground.
Seek out designated parking areas: Some campgrounds have dedicated RV parking. "We were able to get up to the parking lot but I wouldn't recommend it. If my trailer was not lifted we would have had issues," cautions Cody E. about attempting to bring a trailer to Independence Lakes.
Watch for tight turns: Entrance points may present challenges. "The turn off the highway is VERY tight, watch out of the cattle guard if you have low clearance," warns Lauren C. about approaching McClendon Spring with a travel trailer.
