185 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The forested landscape surrounding Calder, Idaho features a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas along waterways and forest roads. Big Creek Campground, located directly in Calder, provides basic amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and vault toilets suitable for both tent and RV camping. Nearby, dispersed camping options exist along Big Creek itself, where campers can find more primitive sites with fewer facilities but greater privacy. Within a 30-mile radius, additional options include Marble Creek Campground near St. Maries, Huckleberry Campground, and several developed sites along the St. Joe River corridor. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests manage many of these recreation areas, with sites typically situated near streams or rivers.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds accessible via paved routes while others require travel on gravel forest service roads. Summer and early fall offer the most reliable access, as many forest roads become impassable during winter and spring snowmelt. According to one camper, "Private sites in the woods of Idaho with fishing in the creek next to most sites" are common in this area. The region experiences typical northern Idaho weather patterns with warm, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Cell service is limited or non-existent at most camping locations. Many dispersed sites have stay limits of 14 days, while established campgrounds may require reservations during peak season from June through September. Fire restrictions are common during late summer months.
Fishing access ranks as a primary attraction for campers in the Calder area. The St. Joe River and its tributaries provide opportunities for trout fishing, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. As one visitor noted about a nearby campground, "There was even a pedestrian access to the river by our site where we could step right into the water!" Wildlife viewing is another highlight, with deer, elk, and various bird species commonly spotted. Weekday camping typically offers more solitude than weekends, when popular water-adjacent sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds in the region maintain a rustic character with basic amenities like vault toilets rather than full-service facilities. The area's mining and logging history is evident throughout the region, with some campgrounds featuring interpretive information about these historical activities.
"Easy to drive up to. Any vehicle will do. Dirt road to the top where you will find a lovely little lake with 4-5 camp spots surrounding it."
"A bit of a drive off I-90 but well worth the the stop. Multiple campsites right along the lake."
"A beautiful small privately owned campground in the heart of Wallace Idaho. Right next to the city limits brew pub. Awful hook up sites, all very level sites!"
"Within walking distance to charming downtown. Very friendly staff. Some spots border a small river. Pet friendly. All gravel spots with cabins in other side of the river."
from $30 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Camp here for a real north Idaho camping experience."
"The Marble Creek Campground has a few sites and one outhouse facility nearby. Just miles from the camp, there is an old man-built cave that makes its way through the entire mountain."
"If looking to reserve a site, the numbers start with #1 closest to the entrance on the meadow side and grow larger in counter clockwise fashion."
"We parked next to the river. No trouble with red noise in the spot, but on the other side is closer to the road. The park was clean and appears well managed."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Several spots have river access, great for kids. 4 stars only because is right off highway so bring earplugs for sleeping (logging trucks run the road often in early morning)."
"This campground is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out area close to the swiftly flowing Marble Creek."
"As the campground is situated along the famous Coeur d’ Alene bicycle path it gave us the opportunity to explore. Great experience. Lovely new and clean bathhouse with warm water."
"It's surprisingly quiet, given it's proximity to the highway. But it's a flat spot on the highway there so the trucks aren't climbing or descending and aren't excessively noisy."
"It was a bit off the beaten path but worth it. It is also situated right by a lake, but did not see any direct access to the lake from the campground. There were clean restrooms here and showers."
"The best part of the campground was the accessibility to the lake. It was maybe a little over a quarter-mile walk from our campground to the path that goes along the lake but its work the walk."
from $23 - $165 / night
Check Availability
LegendWe paid for a view site here so have a lovely view of the Spokane River. The staff was welcoming. The bathrooms are clean with plenty of hot water. The laundry room looks nice. Think you can ride over the bridge and access the Centennial Trail to downtown. Downtown is nice with a farmers market Wednesday afternoons.
TravelerWe didn't camp at the campground but we camped up the hill at the dispersed campsites. Honestly had a lot of fun, stayed from Thursday night to Monday morning. Bugs weren't too bad, the night got cold the first night but it warmed up the nights after. The kids said they wished there was more sand/dirt instead of rocks but they still had a blast.
ScoutGreat spot for a quick overnight. Bull moose in the road just before the top. Well maintained roads and sites.
ScoutThe campground is only 5 minutes away from Silverwood and was perfect for our trip out there. Nancy was a great host and made sure our stay was as comfortable as possible. We will definitely stay there again.
TravelerConvenient access for big rigs, pretty level parking for my Class B van. The CdA river is directly beside the cg, as is the trail. The negative is that I-90 is also directly beside the cg, with the most of big trucks. Otherwise, good place to park.
ScoutSon Mountain Ranch is a great place to stay. The host is incredibly kind and welcoming. We enjoyed seeing her horses, sheep, donkeys and chickens (even got fresh eggs for breakfast). We went to Silverwood Theme Park and it was such a better experience than if we had stayed at the park campground. Note there are no showers, but the portapotty is kept amazingly clean. I highly recommend this location for camping if you are visiting near Athol, ID.
ScoutVery beautiful and secluded area. the roads are pretty rough though, you would need a pretty high off the ground car to drive through. The sound of the river and the views are very nice. The campsite itself is pretty open. No bathrooms are available at least from where we were.
ScoutNice little campground next to I90 with bike trails right across the street. Lots of highway noise and our site was a pull thru but not a lot of space. You can take a tour of the actual gold mine and see some relics
ScoutPeople were very friendly and helpful. This place is immaculate!
The Calder, Idaho area sits at approximately 2,700 feet elevation in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Camping near Calder combines river access with mountain terrain, creating options for both tent and RV campers throughout the warmer months. Forest service roads provide access to both established campgrounds and dispersed sites, with seasonal closures common during winter snowfall.
Fishing at Big Creek: Big Creek and surrounding waterways offer excellent fishing opportunities near Calder. Big Creek, Calder, Idaho provides secluded spots for anglers. "There are secluded dispersed campsites on Big Creek between the campgrounds on Big Creek RD. If you're set up for off grid its definitely worth spending a few days fly fishing or hiking the area. Very serene!" notes Jarae P.
Explore mountain caves: The St. Maries region contains interesting geological features. Marble Creek Campground sits near an unusual man-made feature. "Just miles from the camp, there is an old man-built cave that makes its way through the entire mountain. You can drop family members off, let them walk through the exciting damp, dark cave, and pick them up on the other side," explains Jade F.
Biking the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes: This paved trail connects multiple camping areas and towns. "The Trail of the Coeur D'Alene runs through this campground. Biking the 7 mile ride to Harrison is a great way to spend the day, you cross the lake over a bridge, watching eagles swoop over the lake as you ride," shares Samantha W. about Hawleys Landing.
Lake access for paddle sports: Several lakes within driving distance of Calder offer non-motorized boating options. "Awesome lake for kayaking and paddle boarding," explains Nathan M. about Lake Elsie Campground, a mountain lake about an hour's drive from Calder.
Riverside camping: Many sites feature creek or river frontage for direct water access. "This campground is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out area close to the swiftly flowing Marble Creek. There is one vault toilet and two fire rings with grills, but also a couple more spots with just rock rings," mentions Gordie H. about Donkey Creek Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The forests surrounding Calder host diverse wildlife. "We had a very comfortable stay and were able to connect to the wifi at our tent site. Would be the first campground we would reserve when we return to the area," notes Sienna V. about Camp Coeur D Alene, where moose sightings are possible according to other reviews.
Road conditions vary significantly: Forest roads range from well-maintained to challenging. "The road up to the lake is really rough and narrow but manageable with a proper vehicle," warns Diadra G. about Lake Elsie. Similarly, Samuel H. notes, "The road up is rough, potholes, it does get better about halfway up. Expect at least 30 minutes to get up after you hit the gravel, and that's pushing it pretty hard."
Bear activity requires precautions: Bears frequent many camping areas around Calder. "Also, multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart," advises Natalie J. at Lake Elsie Campground.
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities. Big Creek Campground in Calder has basic amenities. "This is not a free spot, and closes earlier in the fall season. It costs extra for extra spaces. Dirt roads leading up to the sites... There's no trash areas so you need to pack out everything you pack in," explains Megan K.
Look for campgrounds with river access: Families appreciate water features for recreation. "There was even a pedestrian access to the river by our site where we could step right into the water!" mentions a visitor about river access near camping areas.
Consider town proximity: Wallace RV Park offers both nature and town amenities. "Great spot to stay especially if you're visiting Wallace for a festival or stopover. Within walking distance to charming downtown. Very friendly staff. Some spots border a small river. Pet friendly," notes Elizabeth S. The park is within reasonable driving distance of Calder for families wanting occasional town amenities.
Check for kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional features for children. "We biked on the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, saw lots of wildlife, and enjoyed the beach at Rocky Point," shares Melissa M. about Hawleys Landing in Heyburn State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Many forest camping areas have uneven terrain. "We got lucky and were in a site that was a bit more level. Noticed a lot of sites are unlevel," reports Olivia J. about Chatcolet campground.
Limited hookup availability: Most camping near Calder is primitive or partial hookup only. "We parked next to the river. No trouble with red noise in the spot, but on the other side is closer to the road. The park was clean and appears well managed. Vault toilets spaced appropriately throughout the small campground," explains Wanda K. about Shadowy St. Joe Campground, adding it "Has Electric and drinking water at a nominal price."
Road width restrictions: Forest roads often challenge larger rigs. "ROAD IS NARROW, WINDY, AND STEEP. not at all trailer or big rig friendly," warns lili G. about Lake Elsie Campground, which is typical of many forest roads in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping areas in Calder, Idaho?
Calder, Idaho offers several camping options in the beautiful Idaho Panhandle region. Big Creek Campground is directly in Calder, providing drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. For a more rustic experience, Big Creek, Calder, Idaho offers drive-in camping opportunities. The surrounding area features additional camping options within a short drive, including several dispersed camping spots along nearby rivers and forest roads. Many campsites in this region are first-come, first-served, so arriving early during peak season is recommended.
What outdoor activities are available near Calder, ID?
The Calder area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing is extremely popular, with locals and visitors enjoying the abundant rivers and streams. Near North Fork Coeur D'Alene River, you'll find excellent fishing opportunities (don't forget your Idaho fishing license). Albert's Landing offers nearly 1000' of river frontage perfect for fishing and water activities. The region also features hiking trails through the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, wildlife viewing, photography, and scenic drives. Mountain biking, kayaking, and hunting (in season with proper permits) round out the recreational options in this pristine wilderness area.
When is the best season to camp in Calder, Idaho?
Late spring through early fall (May to September) offers the best camping conditions in Calder, Idaho. Summer months provide warm days with temperatures typically in the 70s-80s°F and cool evenings, ideal for campfires. At Bumblebee Campground, campers enjoy private wooded sites with creek fishing during the summer months. Fall brings spectacular colors but cooler temperatures. Many campgrounds in the area, including Shadowy St. Joe Campground, are seasonal and may close after Labor Day or by mid-October. Winter camping is limited due to snow and freezing conditions, with many forest roads becoming inaccessible.
Keep Exploring
