Best Dispersed Camping near Calder, ID

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Calder

24 Reviews of 17 Calder Campgrounds

• J

  Jason S.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 21, 2024

  Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed

  Great location near the Hiawatha trail

  This is primitive off grid camping. No services, no water, no tables, just a bathroom in a field with a few campsites around it near the creek. Great location to stay if you're doing the Hiawatha trail and want to camp in the area. The busses picking up hiawatha trail users go right by the campground multiple times a day in the summer.

• J

  Jessica S.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 18, 2024

  Bull Run Access Dispersed

  great spot except the hunters

  We were glad we read the reviews for directions & info about spots — like others mentioned, the best spot is a big grassy area amongst the trees (continue past the first circular parking area). However, the entire area has sportsman access, so we listened to gun shots most of the day… not exactly the peaceful nature vibe we were hoping for. Would likely come back, but pray it’s a day of no hunters

• 

  Steve G.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 20, 2024

  Bull Run Access Dispersed

  Calm Breeze and Amazing Sunset!

  Stopped at the little restaurant and got a fantastic meal after being on the road all day then headed past all the massive houses to end up in such a gorgeous location. This is one of my favorite spots now!

• F

  Frederick R.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 2, 2024

  Dispersed Site on St. Joe River Rd

  Free spot right by the river

  Found this great little riverside spot while checking out the paid campgrounds along St Joe River. Saw several similar sites that were already taken. This one has a small boat launch and several fire pits. Camping is prohibited from spring to mid July. Not the best spot for swimming due to the current in this section of the river but good enough to wade in and cool off anyway. We slept in a tent and loved the river sounds. There were some mosquitoes but with bugspray it was fine.

• 

  Kaitlin K.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 30, 2024

  Bull Run Access Dispersed

  Buggy but Beautiful

  We were able to get our fifth wheel (40ft long, 13 1/2 ft tall) in and out easy! Lots of spaces and places to turn around. After crossing the bike path, take the first right onto the dirt road at the sportsmans access sign (parallel to the small paved parking lot.) Like another said, the best spot is past the first circular area. Keep going down the road and you’ll see a big shady area in the trees. (You can go further along to two more sites more suited for smaller pop-up campers, tents, or vans.) Close to the water so of course, there were some bugs: lots of bees and mosquitoes.

• K

  Kelly P.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 7, 2024

  Bull Run Access Dispersed

  Beautiful area with mosques

  Just stopped for one night but I enjoyed the rest. Pretty spot close to the lake, but the mosquitoes are abundant! I had my door opened for just a few minutes and had to kill like 20 before I could sleep.

• S

  Snake P.

  Traveler

  

  May. 17, 2024

  Bull Run Access Dispersed

  Very good camping

  Went with the family in mid May on a perfect weekend weather-wise. If you drive past the first couple grass campsites and continue on the narrow road with water on both sides, just off to the right is a single secluded campsite amongst the tree. The best site there imo. privacy, lots of trees so the site gets a good amount of shade but sun still pokes through, perfect. 

  Mosquitos weren't so bad that it affected us but we all had a few bites. My only knock on this site, which isn't much, is that you can see homes from the sites. What can I say I like to feel like I am far from everyone. 

  Good site to camp for a family.

• 

  Gisele S.

  Scout

  

  May. 11, 2024

  Rose Lake

  Weird place

  We didn't feel secure at this location, it was very removed from the main road, it was not looked after (grass was very high), and it seemed liked someone was living there permanently. Generally weird vibes.

• A

  Andrew S.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 18, 2023

  Rose Lake

  Not many spaces

  I followed the road past the sportsman’s access sign as suggested by someone else. Turned left at the first corner, found one campsite and continued. The road turns into private land and I had to turn around. Camped at the first site. Wasn’t bad. Very open. Right near the water. Good gravel road. Only saw 2 other people while there. One stayed at the corner. Stayed one night. A deer walked right through camp.

• 

  Teresa T.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 11, 2023

  Lakes Divide Road

  Definitely a place if needed

  It is a steep but well maintained forest road. There was one clear pull off early and it had someone in it. Wanted some privacy so I kept going. Someone had parked on the side of the road and went past that. Found a blocked entrance to a forest road about a mile in. Wasn't flat but not bad and off the road a bit with a place to walk the dog.

• S

  Sabriya

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 24, 2023

  Bull Run Access Dispersed

  Great Campsite!

  Very quiet, isolated camp spot. This is the best spot to set up: Cross the one-lane bridge > make a right till you hit the parking lot > make another right towards the sign that says "sportsman access (or something like that)" > stay straight until you are prompted to make a left. Instead of making that left, stay right there. Spacious enough for you to set up a tent and park your car.

• 

  PJ M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 8, 2023

  Bull Run Access Dispersed

  Nice 3 Day Option

  Hwy 3 > Cross the 1 lane bridge called "South Bull Run Rd" > continue to the right past a few houses until you reach Coeur d'alene Trail access parking area > cross over trail and continue down parallel West Bull Run rd

  4 spots that I found.  One is a large loop with fire pits already setup (where I stayed).  There's one back-in that used to be a 2 track trail next to a small pond, another pull-through loop next to the main sign, and one more site down the road towards the forest.

  You're really close to highway 3 so there's road noise from that.  More common actually was the sound of boats going down the Coeur d'Alene river which is even closer.  There's another camping area across the river (which is apparently contaminated with toxic materials from mining lol).  I was here during 4th of July so people were lighting off fire crackers there as you'd expect.

  Overall it's a very beautiful spot, with multiple small lakes, deer grazing around, and plenty of wildflowers.

  Had no issue with my 25ft trailer as the road was in good shape.  Larger rigs would probably be okay too, but I'd scout it out.

  This is Idaho Fish and Wildlife property and has a 3-day maximum stay.

• 

  April C.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 13, 2022

  Rose Lake

  It's a place to sleep

  I struggled with this place, it would be really great if the two lot areas were level. There isn't a level spot anywhere. That is my only complaint, except for the people who parked right in front of the only restroom for the entire night. That was weird trying to get around their overspilled car to use the restroom. 

  Plenty of room for people to camp. There was one car when we arrived, and more pulled up throughout the night. You can walk down to the lake and sit on the dock to watch the sunset.

• J

  Jake M.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 24, 2022

  Rose Lake

  Rose Lake

  It’s a small area, but there is a big space for large vans and campers and as you go down to the lake there are two campsites next to the bathroom that are perfect for tent camping. (if you can get the spot)

• 

  Russell P.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 9, 2022

  Rose Lake

  Great spot on the lake

  Great, easy location. The last road is unpaved for a short bit with minor potholes.

  A handful of spots near the lake in three different nooks. A bit uneven but a couple blocks worked for us.

  A bit busy with the boat dock and lots of bugs at night. Still worth it!

• 

  Brooke T.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 3, 2022

  Rose Lake

  Beautiful, Simple

  For a free stop on the way to a primary destination, this was the most pleasant surprise. Strolled in at 11 pm and although it was dark & other campers, it was easy to find a spot. The morning revealed a beautiful lake/dock, clean pit toilet and pet friendly space. It was very simple, but perfect quick stop for us.

• j

  joshua

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 21, 2021

  Stevens Lakes Backcountry

  Beautiful hike with breathtaking views!

  By far one of my favorite Mt lake hikes! With great camping at both the lower and upper lakes, I recommend using the trails app to help navigate through the switch backs, and have lots of water! Me and my friends stayed at the lower lake, both hammock and tent camping.

• 

  Daniel

  Guide

  

  Aug. 21, 2021

  Rose Lake

  Bad Timing?

  Packed up and left due to a belligerent and homeless vagrant. Small, beautiful lake. Uneven, rocky dispersed camping areas.

• E

  Eric

  Guide

  

  Dec. 14, 2020

  Rose Lake

  A decent stop

  Pulled into the campground late at night. It was snowy so we were the only ones. We were able to pull off beside of the bathroom. There were 2 picnic tables/fire rings off to the side. Nice lake when waking up. Would explore other options next time but is nice if you’re in a pinch.

• 

  Megan K.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 4, 2020

  Horse Camp Trailhead

  Fun Quick Trip Spot

  While this is not my favorite spot, it’s very close to where I live. This is my go to spot when I just want to get a quick overnight camp in. I will be returning here soon and will take photos to share.

  Depending on the time of year it can be loud as motorists past. However, I have wondered into it wilderness to camp farther away from the trail.

  The coordinates from this listing are incorrect and take you down the wrong road.

  Laird Park is just down the road and you can get to nice river areas from both campsites. If you can’t get a spot here you can always try down by Laird as a backup.

• 

  Kathleen D.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 15, 2020

  Rose Lake

  Convenient Stop

  We pulled in after sundown — so grateful to find a safe spot close to the Hwy (en route to our next national park). There was no entry signage beyond the boat launch. The Dyrt map and other reviewer’s directions were accurate. There seemed to be two large lots (one grass, one gravel) that were camping permissible. We were in the second gravel lot. There appeared to be 5 total groups of campers spread over two spacious lots with plenty room for more. There are fewer options for tent campers. One is a little clearing and fire ring under the trees at the rear of the gravel lot (see pic). The gravel lot proved to be a very uncomfortable slant for our rooftop tent.

  Toilet. Pretty little lake (but nothing you’d want to swim in. Pretty murky and gas polluted water by the boat launch). 3 night limit. Not a place you target for a vacation, but a lovely free spot along the way.

• 

  UnnamedAdventures

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 5, 2019

  Rose Lake

  Nice spot for a quick stop

  Rose Lake campsite is a nice spot minutes right off of the highway. The original posting has the public access area for the camping but the camping area is near the boat launch(take your first left when going to the public access). Near the public access there is a outhouse. When you get to the correct area there is a mowed area to park your travel trailer, setup a tent or park your RV. This area is very buggy so be prepared, we stopped in late July. There is no cell phone service too! Check out our blog at www.unnadventures.com or follow our journey on facebook or instagram at Unnamed Adventures.

• G

  Gordie H.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 6, 2019

  Donkey Creek Campground

  Awesome spot beside the rapids

  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. We tent camped last year and RV camped this time. Very nice!

• 

  Jess G.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 4, 2019

  Rose Lake

  Boat access

  Nice little loop camp ground, 3 sites that were pretty spacious all include a fire ring and picnic table. Free camping for up to 3 days. Right on the lake! Nice dock to go out to fish on as well. 1 vault toilet. Nice big parking lot for boats and trailers! Right off of i90.