Dispersed camping opportunities near Caribou-Targhee National Forest range from primitive sites to developed campgrounds with amenities. The area sits at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 40-50°F at night. Several camping areas feature volcanic terrain with hiking access to lava fields.
What to do
Explore geological features: The Hells Half Acre trails at Lava Hiking Trailhead provide access to unique volcanic terrain. "Access from US 20 to the trailhead parking is gravel and easily accessible for all vehicles with several large turnouts that can be camped at," notes reviewer Abner H.
Fishing opportunities: Ririe Reservoir at Juniper Group Campsite offers good fishing. "The fishing at Blacktail is good for Rainbows and perch - highly recommended," according to Greg G., who describes it as a "hidden gem" that provides "a great spot to reach Idaho Falls or the Grand Tetons."
Water recreation: Jefferson County Lake features swimming and watercraft rentals for family-friendly water activities. "My kids and I swam in the lake and they especially loved the big slide in the middle of the lake," shares Steveandshauna H., adding "They have kayaks and paddleboats to rent for $15 an hour."
What campers like
Spacious sites: North Bingham County Park offers well-maintained camping areas with ample space. "The park is nice and clean, appears to be recently paved or resurfaced. The spots are relatively level," writes Abner H., who also notes the "Restrooms are clean and nice shower is large."
Affordability: Many campgrounds in the area provide good value compared to other regions. Randy P. found North Bingham County Park to be "Great for our overnight stay. Easy access to pull through sites with ample space between the sites."
Quick highway access: Pet friendly camping near Caribou-Targhee National Forest includes convenient stopover options. Tean B. describes Bingham County Park Rose Campground as a "Super lit campsite if just passing through" with "tons of space and some trees and small ponds."
What you should know
Cell service varies: Mobile coverage fluctuates throughout the region. At Lava Hiking Trailhead, Abner H. reports, "AT&T has 2 bars of LTE and very slow data with a 243ms ping time and a 10Mbps download once it eventually started. T-Mobile has 3 bars and my hotspot was able to achieve 18.85Mbps download."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds due to proximity to major roads. When staying at Jefferson County Lake, Christopher G. noted the campground "is near the Highway and you can hear the road noise."
Stay limits: Campgrounds enforce varying duration restrictions. At Bingham County Park Rose Campground, one camper observed, "Sign says you can only camp up to 5 days."
Seasonal differences: Most campgrounds operate from May through September. Jefferson County Lake's operating season runs "May to October 1st," providing a clear timeframe for planning pet friendly camping trips near Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities: Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park provides access to water recreation. Patrick J. describes it as a "Very nice and quiet RV Park... along the Snake river that heads to downtown."
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play areas for children. At Jefferson County Lake, Ted & Jessie M. found "Very fun wood park for the kids, and the lake access is included in the camping reservation."
Budget-friendly options: Families can find affordable camping with amenities. At Juniper Group Campsite, Mark P. discovered "full hookups on most sites" and was impressed that "The best part is the $25 a night with full hookups."
Special events: Some campgrounds host family activities during peak season. Steveandshauna H. experienced the September "Buddies Not Bullies event" at Jefferson County Lake with "lots of old cars... music, a free bounce house for kids, food trucks, free HotWheels for kids."
Tips from RVers
Utility access: Snake River RV Park & Campground offers full hookups but sites vary in quality and spacing. Debbie M. found "The spaces are very big and flat" while Joel R. had a different experience: "The sites were too close together. We had reservations, but still ended up in an overflow area."
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at some sites. At Juniper Group Campsite, Melanie T. advises to "Bring your blocks" as "Some sites are a little uneven."
Dump station locations: Plan for waste disposal as not all sites offer this service. Abner H. notes that at North Bingham County Park, "The dump station is just past the sites there is a seprate potable water fill 50' from the dump station which has its own hoses and water for flushing tanks."
Accessibility information: Most campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles with varying ease of access. LeAnn M. found South Tourist Park Campground has "Easy access and open year round" with "plenty of space for longer rigs."
