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Camping near Caribou-Targhee National Forest

287 Reviews

Camping options near Caribou-Targhee National Forest range from established RV parks to dispersed sites along the Snake River. The area includes Snake River RV Park & Campground in Idaho Falls with full hookups for RVs and cabin accommodations, as well as Snake River Dispersed camping with primitive sites accessible by drive-in routes. Several campgrounds in the region support mixed camping styles including tent sites, RV pads, and occasional glamping options, particularly at locations like South Tourist Park Campground which sits directly along the Snake River.

Road conditions and access points vary considerably across the region, with many dispersed sites requiring adequate ground clearance. The Snake River area offers both developed and undeveloped camping options within a short drive from towns like Idaho Falls, Blackfoot, and Shelley. A recent review noted, "Dirt road with easy access goes to a wide open gravel area but opportunities to be right next to the river with an AWD vehicle." Camping season generally extends from late spring through early fall, though some RV parks operate year-round. Cell service is typically available near populated areas but can be limited at more remote dispersed sites. Visitors should note that many dispersed areas have no amenities such as water, toilets, or trash services, requiring self-sufficiency.

Waterfront access represents a significant attraction for campers in the area, with multiple reviews highlighting the Snake River views. Several campgrounds feature riverside locations that provide scenic settings and recreational opportunities. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, train noise can affect some campgrounds near Idaho Falls, with one camper mentioning "a VERY LOUD train that went by a few times during the night, blowing its whistle." The region also offers access to unique natural features, including nearby lava fields with hiking trails. Despite minimal amenities at some locations, campers frequently mention appreciating the convenience of sites that provide proximity to towns while still offering natural settings. The campgrounds closest to Idaho Falls provide a mix of urban accessibility and outdoor experiences, with some featuring bike paths connecting to downtown areas.

Map showing campgrounds near Caribou-Targhee National Forest, IdahoExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Caribou-Targhee National Forest (71)

    1. Snake River RV Park & Campground

    16 Reviews
    Idaho Falls, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 523-3362

    "Location great close to town for shopping and stay the night if you’re heading to the Tetons. Does not have any access to snake river. The showers were hot. Has a cute little snack and gift shop."

    "Short drive from the campground to some restaurants, gas stations, grocery store, etc in the area. There are 2 bar/grills walking distance from the campground. Has a Heated pool."

    2. Snake River Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Firth, ID
    10 miles

    "Nice BLM area right next to the Snake River and only 10 minutes from Shelley."

    "Dirt road with easy access goes to a wide open gravel area but opportunities to be right next to the river with an AWD vehicle."

    3. Bingham County Park Rose Campground

    3 Reviews
    Blackfoot, ID
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 782-0085

    "No hookups but easy to get any size rig in and out and there is a nice paved walking path around the area. Also there is a large area to turn around near the archery range."

    "This was 4 minutes off the highway. It is just a big, flat open space next to a couple of ponds."

    4. South Tourist Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Idaho Falls, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 612-8479

    $15 / night

    "Not sure when they made that change but I wouldn’t say it’s quite worth that given proximity to highways and trains."

    "Right on the snake river and great food close by."

    5. Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Idaho Falls, ID
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 881-4562

    $80 - $100 / night

    "We recently stayed at Idaho Falls Luxury RV Resort and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. The staff was incredible, helpful, and kind."

    "Nice change with all the grass around the asphalt site pads. There is access to a walkway along the Snake river that heads to downtown."

    6. Lava Hiking Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID
    11 miles

    "Nice location away from the highway to spend the night. Dirt road that is a little rough but accessible by low clearance car. Several pull outs to car camp."

    "Fairly level area with a fire ring, picnic tables under a shelter, metal charcoal grill and easy access to the lava field (Hells Half Acre) hiking trails.    "

    7. North Bingham County Park

    4 Reviews
    Blackfoot, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 782-3191

    $15 - $25 / night

    "Very friendly people to talk with, with plenty of shade to enjoy being outside. There is a “Frisbee golf course “ for all ages and great paths to take your dog for a walk."

    "Easy access to pull through sites with ample space between the sites. Nice clean bathrooms with showers! Electric and water worked great. Would definitely stay again."

    8. Fairway RV Park

    1 Review
    Blackfoot, ID
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 785-2480

    9. City of Blackfoot RV Park

    1 Review
    Blackfoot, ID
    14 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    10. Wolverine Canyon

    4 Reviews
    Firth, ID
    22 miles
    +1 (208) 478-6340

    "Our timing worked out for the Idaho Falls area and Wolverine Canyon came up as an option. It’s all paved road until you get to the mouth of the Canyon, then it’s a well maintained gravel road."

    "About thirty minutes outside of Blackfoot before you hit gravel road. We only drove a short distance on gravel before we parked in a wide spot that had a fire pit."

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Recent Camping Photos near Caribou-Targhee National Forest

32 Photos of 71 Caribou-Targhee National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Caribou-Targhee National Forest

287 Reviews of 71 Caribou-Targhee National Forest Campgrounds

  • Shauna & Steve H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Sugar City RV Park

    Overall nice clean park

    Things we loved: 

    Clean park. 

    Each spot has graveled level pads and grass that they keep trimmed & nice. 

    Full hookups. 

    Clean, new shower house with 2 showers, 1 restroom, 4 washers& 4 dryers. 

    There are some small trees but not too many. We prefer no trees in that area because it's usually cold. The sun on the RV is nice. 

    New fenced dog area. 

    New basketball/pickleball court. 

    Price is decent for the area. 

    They are open all year round. 

    Things that could be improved: 

    Washers and dryers are a bit pricy. $8 per load to wash & dry and it includes soap. But you can put about a load and a half in each one. It was convenient but expensive. 

    The pickleball court would be a huge hit if they painted the lines. We would have played several times during the 3 weeks that we were there. 

    The Park manager seemed a little intrusive. The pro is that she is very watchful of everything that is going on in the park. The con is that it seemed a bit much with those of us who were legitimately staying there. 

    Summary: We would stay again as long as their prices stay competitive.

  • Shauna & Steve H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Sugar City RV Park

    Overall nice clean park

    Things we loved: 

    Clean park. 

    Each spot has graveled level pads and grass that they keep trimmed& nice. 

    Full hookups. 

    Clean, new shower house with 2 showers, 1 restroom, 4 washers & 4 dryers. 

    There are some small trees but not too many. We prefer no trees in that area because it's usually cold. The sun on the RV is nice. 

    New fenced dog area. 

    New basketball/pickleball court. 

    Price is decent for the area. 

    They are open all year round. 

    Things that could be improved: 

    Washers and dryers are a bit pricy.$8 per load to wash& dry and it includes soap. But you can put about a load and a half in each one. 

    It was convenient but expensive. 

    The pickleball court would be a huge hit if they painted the lines. We would have played several times during the 3 weeks that we were there. 

    The Park manager seemed a little intrusive. The pro is that she is very watchful of everything that is going on i the park. The con is that it seemed a bit much with those of us who were legitimately staying there. 

    Summary: We would stay again as long as their prices stay competitive.

  • Shauna & Steve H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Sugar City RV Park

    Overall nice clean park

    Things we loved: 

    Clean park. Each spot has graveled level pads and grass that they keep trimmed & nice. 

    Clean, new shower house with 2 showers, 1 restroom, 4 washers & 4 dryers.

    There are some small trees but not too many. We prefer no trees in that area because it's usually cold. The sun on the RV is nice. 

    New fenced dog area. 

    New basketball/pickleball court. 

    Price is decent for the area.

    They are open all year round.

    Things that could be improved:

    Washers and dryers are a bit pricy. $8 per load to wash & dry and it includes soap. But you can put about a load and a half in each one. It was convenient but expensive.

    The pickleball court would be a huge hit if they painted the lines. We would have played several times during the 3 weeks that we were there. 

    The Park manager seemed a little intrusive. The pro is that she is very watchful of everything that is going on i the park. The con is that it seemed a bit much with those of us who were legitimately staying there. 

    Summary: We would stay again as long as their prices stay competitive.

  • Shauna & Steve H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Warm Slough

    We love this campground

    We love camping at Warm Slough. Several great spots by the river. Several have fire rings and some have picnic tables. There are 2 pit toilets. This year they closed it for overnight camping in the summer due to misuse. However, camping is allowed during the fall and winter beginning October 1st to January 30th for a limit of 10 days. My kids love tubing down the Warm Slough River and my son likes fishing along the banks.

  • Tean B.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Bingham County Park Rose Campground

    Super lit campsite if just passing through

    Great spot! Definitely a lot of road noise as you are right by the highway but tons of space and some trees and small ponds. Wouldn’t stay here for long but a good pit stop.

  • Frank G.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Bonneville County Juniper Campground

    I CANNOT EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW THE CAMP HOST WAS SO VERY RUDE!

    I CANNOT EXPRESS ENOUGH HOW THE CAMP HOST WAS SO VERY RUDE! The grounds were fine, but the incident that occurred at Juniper Campground in Ririe, Idaho, on the evening of Saturday, September 13, 2025 left a very bitter taste in our mouths about the trip. What was intended to be a joyful family outing turned into a distressing experience due to the conduct of the camp host. My father-in-law and his wife had made a reservation at Juniper Campground for the weekend and invited my family to join them--myself, my two sons, and our grandchildren. We were all excited to spend quality time together and to try out our newly purchased travel trailers. As first-time trailer owners, this was meant to be a fun and educational experience before the camping season ended. Unfortunately, I had previously purchased concert tickets for an event at Mountain America Center in Idaho Falls scheduled for Saturday evening. My sons and I decided to briefly leave the campground to attend the concert and return afterward. We left in the early evening and returned around 10:20 PM. Upon arrival, we found the second entry gate--through which we had originally entered--locked with a padlock. We then drove to the first gate, which had rising arms and red LED lights, but it did not respond. I exited the vehicle to search for an intercom or manual override, but found none. While attempting to look up a contact number, a white truck with an orange cone in the back approached rapidly. The driver, who identified himself as the camp host, immediately confronted me in an aggressive and profane manner. He shouted,"What the hell are you doing at my gate?" I calmly explained that we were campers returning from a concert and were trying to re-enter the campground. He responded with hostility, saying,"The gates are locked at 10 PM. Didn't you read the rules?" I replied that we had not received any rules, as my 78-year-old father-in-law had checked in first and inadvertently failed to pass them along while we were focused on setting up our trailers. The host continued to berate me, accusing me of lying and using profanity such as"Bullsh*t, everybody receives the rules." When asked for our campsite number, I was momentarily unsure, as my father-in-law had directed us to our spot upon arrival. While I searched for the information, the host continued to question our motives, saying,"Why are you leaving and returning to the campsite this time of night?" I explained our concert plans, only to be met with further disbelief and ridicule. He mocked my Van Halen t-shirt and claimed,"Nobody goes camping to leave for a concert," and"Those bands sucked. The last time I saw Van Halen was in 1979." At this point, I attempted to clarify our situation, but the host warned me that if I raised my voice, he would not allow us back into the campground. After locating a screenshot of our reservation details, I showed it to him. He finally allowed us entry and handed me a printed copy of the rules, stating,"Next time, read the rules." This interaction left me feeling humiliated, belittled, and treated as though I were a criminal. The camp host's behavior was not only unprofessional but bordered on harassment. I understand the importance of rules and quiet hours, but they should be enforced with courtesy and respect--not hostility and profanity. I am deeply disappointed by this experience and will not be returning to Juniper Campground. I'm leaving this review to ensure others are aware of the treatment we received. Guests deserve to feel safe and welcomed--not intimidated or verbally abused.

  • K
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park

    Beautiful, clean, and green.

    Very well laid out gated park. Spacious, clean restrooms (toilet /shower). Great laundry located in same block as restrooms. Each site has a picnic table and our had built in charcoal BBQ, heaters and chairs.. Couldn't fault anything about this park, they have thought of everything.

  • J
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

    Gorgeous peaceful mountain stop!

    Incredible Mountain View’s. Several pull outs on gravel road. Not a problem with 24’ Class C. There are other trials for ATVs but plenty of nice spots for RVs or tents!

  • J
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Snake River Dispersed

    Disappointed with our first Dyrt attempt

    Update-now private property signs have been put up all over just past the first opening so you can’t get to the open area that is good for larger RVs. Have 24’ class C and the dip to get into the camping area was steep and tipping. Couldn’t see river from area as it was very overgrown. Should have taken a picture before we left, but we were in too big of a hurry to get out of there and find a spot for the night.

Guide to Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Camping near Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or a base for outdoor adventures, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Explore the outdoors: The area is perfect for hiking, fishing, and enjoying nature. Campers have noted that the Juniper Group Campsite — City of Rocks National Reserve is a great base for exploring nearby attractions. One camper mentioned, "The grounds are kept clean and neat. A great base location for seeing the surrounding attractions!"
  • Visit local attractions: Many campgrounds are close to restaurants and shops. For instance, Snake River RV Park & Campground is just a short drive from various amenities. A reviewer said, "Short drive from the campground to some restaurants, gas stations, grocery store, etc. in the area."
  • Enjoy water activities: Campgrounds like Jefferson County Lake offer access to a beautiful lake for swimming and kayaking. One visitor raved, "The lake is actually an aquifer (underground spring) so it's super clear and clean."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Bonneville County Juniper Campground, one camper noted, "The bathrooms are very nice and clean and have a shower in each one."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have helpful hosts. A visitor at Mountain River Ranch shared, "The camp host was very helpful."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peacefulness of places like Twin Bridges Park. One reviewer mentioned, "Very peaceful & serene place to be."

What you should know:

  • Dusty conditions: Some campgrounds, like Snake River RV Park & Campground, can be quite dusty. A camper pointed out, "This place is very dusty and it's easy to see no gravel has been laid down for years."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or showers. For example, Beaver Dick Park Campground has no showers, but one camper said, "Easy access, well maintained campground."
  • Noise from nearby roads: Some campers have mentioned road noise at certain sites. A visitor at Jefferson County Lake noted, "It had too much interstate road noise and too many people."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Look for kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Mountain River Ranch have great common areas for kids to play. One camper said, "The bathroom are some of the cleanest I’ve ever seen and the little pond is crystal clear and perfect to let the dogs swim."
  • Choose sites with shade: Many campers prefer shaded spots, especially during hot weather. A reviewer at South Tourist Park Campground mentioned, "Some spots with great shade."
  • Plan for outdoor meals: Campgrounds often have picnic tables and fire pits. A camper at Pocatello KOA appreciated the amenities, saying, "Campsites are a little close with no privacy and there are no sewer connections at the individual sites."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check for full hookups: If you need full hookups, make sure to confirm availability. A visitor at Bonneville County Juniper Campground noted, "It's a great place to stay, lots of grass and trees full hook ups."
  • Be prepared for tight spaces: Some campgrounds have limited space for RVs. A camper at Pocatello KOA mentioned, "The sites are mostly level, but may need one block to be completely level."
  • Look for nearby dump stations: If your campground doesn’t have a dump station, check for nearby options. A visitor at Jefferson County Lake shared, "Lakeside RV a block away has a dump station for $5."

Camping near Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakeside spots to family-friendly campgrounds. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Caribou Campground in Idaho?

While specific Caribou Campground information is limited, similar campgrounds in the area offer baseline amenities. Mink Creek Group Site Campground features well-separated sites with picnic tables, charcoal grills, fire pits, and toilet buildings at regular intervals throughout the grounds. For RV campers seeking more amenities near the Caribou-Targhee region, Mountain River Ranch provides flat sites with hookups, clean bathrooms, and is located near hot springs. Most forest service campgrounds in this area typically include vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and some access to water, though facilities vary by location and season. Always check with the Caribou-Targhee National Forest office for the most current information.

Is dispersed camping allowed in Caribou-Targhee National Forest?

Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in Caribou-Targhee National Forest following Forest Service regulations. Wolf Flats Recreation Area is a popular dispersed camping location about 45 minutes from Idaho Falls with numerous sites along the river. Some sites have limited bathroom facilities. For those seeking a unique dispersed camping experience, Honeys Park offers free dry camping on private property bordering forest land. Standard dispersed camping rules apply: camp at least 100-200 feet from water sources, stay on existing sites, pack out all waste, and limit stays to 14 days within a 30-day period. Always check for fire restrictions and obtain any necessary permits before your trip.

Where are the best camping spots in Caribou-Targhee National Forest?

Caribou-Targhee National Forest offers excellent camping options for all preferences. Falls Campground is a small, peaceful site (less than 25 sites) located near the Snake River, making it perfect for fishing enthusiasts and those who appreciate waterfall views. For a more secluded experience, Scout Mountain Campground provides quiet sites with convenient amenities like vault bathrooms and water spigots nearby. Most sites are first-come, first-served, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak season. The forest's diverse terrain offers camping experiences ranging from riverside locations to mountain settings, with many areas providing access to hiking trails and outdoor recreation.

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