Cascade, Idaho glamping experiences sit at roughly 4,800 feet elevation in Valley County, adjacent to the vast 27-mile-long Lake Cascade. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F with cool evenings even during peak season. The area's mixture of forest and lakefront camping offers diverse terrain for luxury outdoor stays from late spring through early fall.
What to do
Fishing at Bull Trout Lake: Located about 45 minutes from main highways, this secluded lake offers excellent fishing opportunities. According to one camper, "We saw one person fishing! The lake is shallow and perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking," while another noted they "saw an Osprey catch fish every morning."
Volleyball and swimming: Waters Edge RV Resort features recreational areas specifically designed for active guests. A camper mentioned the resort has a "volleyball court, dog walking trails, fire pits, horse shoe play area" and that "the best part, great fishing under the bridge!"
Floating the river: Riverside camping provides easy access to water recreation. At Mountain View, campers enjoy the Payette River with its "pristine waters" right from their campsite. One visitor noted, "We enjoyed watching some inflatable boats go by" while another mentioned how the campground is perfect for "white water rafting" as "they take rafts out at the end of this campground."
What campers like
Private waterfront access: Bull Trout Lake Campground offers direct lake access from many sites. As one camper described, "We had a lakefront spot, tons of trees around, and enough space to have privacy from other campsites. All of the lakefront sites on our side had individual access to the lake."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Arrowhead RV Park on the River creates spaces specifically for children and groups. One reviewer appreciated the "fun REC for kids, playground, and party fire pit area," making it ideal for family gatherings.
Proximity to town amenities: Waters Edge RV Resort balances natural settings with convenience. A camper noted it's "only 1/4 mile to their downtown" with "friendly and helpful staff," while another appreciated being "within walking distance to town, good river front area."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites in the Cascade area book quickly during summer months. At Northwest Passage Campground, campers note it's "non-reservable. It's first come first serve and usually very busy. The best time to get a spot is Sunday afternoon or Monday and Tuesday."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October. Rainbow Point's season runs "May 23 to September 15" while Cold Springs Campground is available "April 20 to October 20," giving slightly more flexibility for early and late season glamping near Cascade.
Limited connectivity: Many luxury camping sites offer a true disconnection experience. At Bull Trout Lake Campground, "This campsite is remote, no cell phone signal and that's what we were looking for. We were able to disconnect, relax and reset!"
Wildlife encounters: The natural setting brings wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper at Rainbow Point warned to "Be cautious about lake conditions before swimming or letting dogs swim. We had a skunk walk right through our camp!"
Tips for camping with families
Bring mosquito protection: Northwest Passage campers warn about insects: "One downfall here is the amount of mosquitoes. They are large and thirsty. We came prepared this year with lots of mosquito spray and some thermoscell mosquito deterrent."
Look for shallow water access: Rainbow Point provides family-friendly water features. A visitor described it as having "nice grassy sites, water right there, vault toilets, fire rings and picnic tables" with good access for children.
Pack all supplies: Remote glamping sites require preparation. One Bull Trout Lake visitor advised, "The closest grocery store and gas station is about 45 minutes from the campground so make sure you have everything you need, unless you plan on driving around!"
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Some luxury sites have limited space for larger vehicles. At Arrowhead RV Park, one camper noted that "Individual spots were extremely tight. Employee had to help us park (even though we didn't feel like we needed it)."
Consider hookup options: Waters Edge RV Resort offers comprehensive services for RVs. Amenities include "drinking-water, electric-hookups, fifty-amp-hookups, fires-allowed, firewood, pets-allowed, picnic-table, reservable, sanitary-dump, sewer-hookups, showers, toilets, trash, water-hookups."
Select sites strategically: At Mountain View, an RVer suggested "This campground has some decent sites down near the river, but the sites up higher are noisy due to the highway, and don't have much shade."
