Camping near Cambridge, Idaho ranges from rustic dispersed sites to developed campgrounds with hot pools. The region's elevation varies from 4,800 to 6,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Water access remains central to many camping experiences, with riverside campsites particularly available from late spring through early fall when snowmelt feeds area streams.
What to do
Soak in natural hot springs: At Downata Hot Springs, visitors can enjoy multiple thermal pools just steps from their accommodations. "Hot springs and water slides fit the bill... Great amenities. Beautiful sunrise and nice staff. It's a no frills with frills kind of place," reported one camper who visited in August 2023.
Fish in mountain streams: The Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access offers direct river access for anglers. "This campground is right next to the river, has a small waterfall and beautiful scenery all around," notes one visitor, though they caution about the "extremely bumpy" access road.
Hike nearby trails: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access. One visitor to Goodenough Creek Campground appreciated that there are "Great hiking and horseback riding trails, quiet, not too crowded" making it suitable for day exploration.
What campers like
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the no-cost sites. "This is a free spot for overnight. Nice views of mountains. There is highway noise. Camper trailers can manueuver without difficulty. TMobile works here," notes one camper about Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping.
Proximity to amenities: Many campgrounds offer convenient access to town facilities. At Lava Hot Springs West KOA, campers enjoy being "walking distance to downtown and the hot springs. Really nice staff," making it easy to access services while maintaining a camping experience.
Water features: Creeks and rivers enhance the camping experience. "We parked our 34 ft motor home right next to a river waterfall and did some fishing. A fire pit was already established. Excellent spot right outside of town with good cell service. Paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing are primo," shares an enthusiastic visitor to Lower Portneuf Campground.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep: Several campgrounds near railway lines experience significant disruption. One Lower Portneuf camper reported, "The trains; however, were a drag at night. Not many ran during the day but at night we counted 8 that went by. The tracks are only about 100' from most of the spots."
Seasonal access limitations: Higher elevation sites typically close during winter months. Malad Summit Campground operates from "May to October" according to their information, with one visitor noting "It is free to stay here after September 15th" but cautioning "no more running water either" during late season.
Campground space variations: Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park has limited spacing between sites. "Basically a gravel lot with 15 sites. Location, location, location is about it," explains one camper, while another points out "The sites are very close to each other but the location in town next to the river, restaurants and the hot springs pools is the reason to stay here."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Families with children particularly enjoy campgrounds with water activities. "Cold winter months and you need to get away? We rented a cabin three times this last winter. Great little cabins with bathrooms the hot pools were 100 feet away and a heated swimming pool. In the summer time the pool is nice and cold and there are water slides," explains one Downata Hot Springs visitor.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. One camper at Lava Hot Springs West KOA mentions they "were on site #1 which is by the playground and dog park" and found that "Everything is clean and well managed and management made sure people kept to the quiet time."
Accommodation variety: Many families appreciate options beyond tent camping. Downata Hot Springs offers unique accommodations as noted by one visitor: "There is RV and tent sites as well as group sites and 3 small cabins, 3 medium cabins and three large cabins/houses. They also have several yurts. This year they also have covered wagons you can stay in(cute idea on a tent cabin)."
Tips from RVers
Access road conditions: RVers should prepare for rough roads at several campgrounds. An Indian Rocks visitor advises: "Very nice sites. Trash in all the fire pits. Good cell service. Just go very slow. We did fine with the 27-foot trailer."
Hookup availability: Water and electrical connections vary significantly between campgrounds. At Devils Creek RV Park, one camper noted: "Booked full hookups, but got water/elec only (they do have a dump to use before leaving). No bathrooms or showers."
Site sizing considerations: Larger RVs may struggle at certain campgrounds. A Devils Creek RV Park visitor cautioned: "Some of the spaces felt like extremely close quarters especially with slide outs. The picture below shows one of the older full utility locations. Some units may not have much room to slide out without contacting the utility boxes."
