Best Dispersed Camping near Corral, ID

Dispersed camping near Corral, Idaho centers primarily around the Sawtooth National Forest, with several free primitive sites available along forest roads and near water features. Little Camas Reservoir, Mormon Reservoir North, and Lava Creek offer no-fee camping opportunities on public lands. The South Fork Boise River Dispersed Campground and Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed areas provide additional options for campers seeking backcountry experiences without developed facilities. Most sites allow tent and RV camping with varying accessibility.

Access roads to many dispersed sites require careful navigation, particularly after rain or during spring thaw. Several reviews mention washboard dirt roads and recommend high-clearance vehicles for certain areas. Most sites have a 3-14 day camping limit depending on location. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, with several areas requiring campers to bring their own firewood or observe complete fire bans. Vault toilets are available at some locations like Little Camas Reservoir, but most areas have no amenities. A review noted that at Little Camas Reservoir, "there is a single pit toilet" but "no water or trash service so come prepared."

These primitive camping areas provide varying levels of seclusion and natural beauty. Corral Creek Designated Dispersed sites feature proximity to flowing water, with one camper describing it as having "very large designated dispersed site set downhill from the forest road" where "the sound of the creek can be heard at the site." Lake Creek Road dispersed camping areas offer mountain views but limited shade. Cell service varies significantly by location, with some areas providing good connectivity while others have none. Wildlife sightings are common, with reviews mentioning everything from ground squirrels to moose. Campers should be prepared for temperature extremes, as many sites lack tree cover and can become quite hot during summer days.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Corral, Idaho (37)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Corral, ID

112 Reviews of 37 Corral Campgrounds


  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Lake Creek Rd Dispersed

    Open Spaces and Free

    This forest service land is a quick drive down Lake Creek Rd from Hwy 75 just past the town of Ketchum in the Sawtooth National Forest. You'll drive through a residential area so mind your speed as there are kids around and lots of cars parked that were crowding into the road a bit as there were construction workers building one of the massive houses along this road. 

    The paved road comes to an end with a large parking or turn around area then turns to a very washboarded dirt/gravel road that runs behind people’s houses so maybe drive a bit slower to keep the dust down until you pass that point. 

    There are multiple areas that are large and mostly flat that pull off the side of this main dirt road. The views are amazing and it seemed quiet. We did not stay here as it was too hot at the time, but we would have because you have nice hiking or biking opportunities here. The pullout spaces are large enough for a good sized rig, we had plenty of space for our 26’ class C. A couple of the sites had stone fire pits but fire restrictions are in effect so no fires at this time.  There are plenty of sites here and they were almost all free when we visited in September.

    There are no amenities here. No garbage or water. You are fully in the sun with no shade. 

    The camping limit is 3 days only. There is one garbage can at near the large turn around/parking area before the road turns to dirt but it was small so just take your trash with you. 

    Good ATT and Verizon cell reception.

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

    Easy drive, Beautiful, avoid on holidays

    Easy to get to, no marked spots, tent or small to mid RV. Pit toilet on site. No boat launch but easy enough for small craft or floaties. Sloped, not much level spots. Nice views and easy bank fishing.

    Details: No site boundaries, easily crowds No trash or water Long drive to services Slow drive in if towing medium or large trailer No tables Minimal rock fire rings Long drive to town, bring plenty of stuff Free stat, 14 day limit, rangers may stop by and say hi, if you’re lucky they’ll clean and restock the toilet. Don’t count on being lucky

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2023

    Antelope Creek

    Close in to Sun Valley

    Nice location, close to town. Close to road but not much traffic. Access can be difficult with steep access from main road and tricky spots along the access road. There are three access spots. Would pick the first or second. The road is difficult between the second and third access roads. Would recommend walking down to see if safe for you and your vehicle. There is more dispersed camping farther up the road but you begin to lose cell coverage.

  • Tee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2023

    Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed

    Rough road but beautiful location

    Entering the park is beautiful! There’s a paved road with campsites you need a reservation for. Where the coordinates are on this map is about 30 minutes down a gravel road that looks ok, but is very rutted. I drive a cargo van and it shook everything to the point where I didn’t want to do 30 minutes of it. There are signs that say “no roadside camping next 7 miles”, but after mile marker 7, you’ll notice fire rings off the sides of the roads on both sides, including lake front. So I just want to make sure y’all know that you don’t actually have to drive all the way down to the dispersed spots to find camping. Other than that, it’s a gorgeous area. No Verizon service for me.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2024

    Corral Creek Designated Dispersed

    Large dispersed site near creek

    Free designated dispersed campsite along Sawtooth Nation Forest Road 137. Camped here at the end of September 2024. Very large designated dispersed site set downhill from the forest road; no issues with dust from this road. The area is level. May be able to park 3 rigs. Tent camping is possible back from the parking area toward the metal firering. This area can accommodate 3 or 4 tents, or one big hot tent. Corral Creek is just down a short path from the campsite. The sound of the creek can be heard at the site. Very quiet area. Mountains on either side of the site. The parking area is dirt and gravel. The "tent" area is grass and dirt. Don't see opportunities for hammock camping. No cell service. No shade; solar recharging and Starlink possible. 3 day limit. Hiking trailheads and vault toilet at the end of the forest road.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2021

    Cougar Dispersed Camping Area

    Peaceful Near a Flowing River

    We came here second week of May just after the rangers opened FR-146. We travelled all the way to the end where there is a trailer turn-around. All sites looked nice and we counted 12 designated dispersed sites, #1 was the furthest in. We ended up in 2C(the furthest in of three sites of area #2. The site was next to the river. It was 4.5 miles in on the dirt road and our closest neighbor was back up the road 3.5 miles in camp Murdock, roughly a twenty minute drive. The only animals we saw were ground squirrels. It was so peaceful and a wonderful experience.

  • Laura C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2019

    Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed

    Private

    Me and boyfriend enjoy going here in the fall and spring to get away from the city for a day or two. There is hiking right across the street. Mt Heinen which is a very strenous hike. Its over 9 miles(up and back) and over a 3,000 ft gain so be prepared if you try to tackle this summit. Anyways, the campground has some fire pits but no picnic tables. There are a few trees for shade. One part of this campground that confuses me is that there use to be a small outhouse in summer of 2018 but when I came in 2019 in march and April there was not one? When we come in the fall and spring theres no one other than us there. In the summer it does get quite a few people there. Also it gets super hot in the summertime so be sure to bring plenty of water. Good thing is you can take a dip in the cold reservoir to cool off. There's no trash services so pack it in and pack it out. A lot of people come here to party and leave trash around so i make it a point to pick it up. Please don't be those people to ruin a beautiful free spot. 💚

  • Amber R.
    Apr. 19, 2022

    Little Camas Reservoir

    A pleasant place for a stop along the way

    Perfect for an overnight stop during a long drive. The access road also serves residential property some distance away so is well maintained. The primitive camping spots are close enough to the highway to make it a quick drive but far enough away to buffer most noise from passing traffic. Even though the landscape seems sparse there was very active wildlife during our stay, with many species of birds throughout the night and a chorus of coyotes at one point. The water level was really low, which would probably inhibit launching larger water craft, but the reservoir still provided a peaceful atmosphere. There definitely isn't any nearby wood for fires so people do need to bring in their own.

  • Kathryn D.
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed

    Creekside!

    Delightful creekside free campsites! Turn at the BLM sign and take a little gravel road to several free creekside spots! There are at least two pit toilets, one at a spot with two picnic tables, each has a great shade, fire pit, and a place for a camp stove! One has a flat raised gravel spot for a tent, which was good because we actually saw a couple mice. The second pit toilet was further down the road at a more separated spot, it looked like it was ADA accessible and also had a picnic table, etc. Close enough to Carey to get gas/ice. Only giving it 4 stars because of the mice (pack out your own trash guys! It isn’t hard!) and the complete lack of trees, the covers over the picnic tables did proved shade, but it still got crazy hot.


Guide to Corral

Dispersed camping near Corral, Idaho offers backcountry options primarily along forest service roads in the Sawtooth National Forest at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. The region experiences significant temperature shifts with summer days often exceeding 90°F while nights can drop below 50°F. Many sites require navigation of unpaved roads that become particularly challenging during spring runoff periods from April through early June.

What to do

Fishing access: Frank C. Jones King Hill Area provides direct access to the Snake River. One camper noted that it's "next to snake river" and has a "boat launch" making it ideal for anglers, though they mentioned "some noise because train rail at other side of the river."

Wildlife viewing: At Little Camas Reservoir, visitors can observe various wildlife. A camper mentioned, "There is open grazing so we did have cattle close to our campsite by morning," while another observed "Lots of bugs but not many mosquitoes." The reservoir area attracts various birds and small mammals.

Nighttime stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates excellent star-viewing opportunities. A camper at Little Camas Reservoir reported, "got some really nice long exposure shots of the night sky" and another noted "Beautiful views of the mountains around the lake and very quiet."

What campers like

Solitude: Many dispersed sites offer privacy, especially on weekdays. At Birdie Creek Campground, a visitor noted it's "Dry Camping at its best!" with a "Big area off the road" that "Could be a great group spot and fit 3 or 4 trailers."

Water proximity: Sites near water features provide both recreational opportunities and natural cooling. At Frank C Jones King Hill Area, campers appreciate being "next to the Snake River" with a review mentioning it has a "boat launch" and is a "Great spot to spend the night."

Cell service in select locations: While many primitive areas lack connectivity, some sites maintain usable signals. A camper at Little Camas Reservoir mentioned "surprisingly good cell service" and "Good cell coverage (TMobile)," which can be important for those needing to stay connected.

What you should know

Weather variability: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme. At Lava Creek, one camper described it as a "Giant desert field with fire pits. No shade," highlighting the need for sun protection during summer months.

Road conditions: Many access roads require careful navigation. At Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed, a camper warned "Be careful as the drive is a little sketchy," while another advised, "If you don't have a four wheel drive vehicle don't go, all wheel drive won't do it in winter."

Limited facilities: Most sites lack basic amenities. A Little Camas Reservoir visitor observed, "No facilities available at all," and another mentioned, "Difficult to access the water as it is deep mud near the shoreline."

Tips for camping with families

Water recreation planning: Rivers and reservoirs offer swimming opportunities but require preparation. At Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed, a camper shared, "I love being able to jump into the lake and ride my bike along the lake," but warned about "dune sand, you might get stuck."

Wildlife education opportunities: The area provides chances to observe various animals. At Birdie Creek Campground, a visitor observed "Wildlife all around, from eagles, deer and chipmunks," making it ideal for nature-focused family activities.

Noise considerations: Some camping areas experience unexpected noise. At Frank C Jones King Hill Area, campers report trains "going by at night. Quite loud," while another mentioned being "woken up to cars pulling in next to you and the sound of a boat scraping at the loading launch dock."

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility: Many dispersed sites have limitations for larger vehicles. At Ice Springs, an RVer noted the "campground is used by hunters in RVs/trailers," but access can be challenging. Another visitor shared that "If you are a fan of motorized vehicles and access to lots of off road adventure, this would be a great campground for you."

Parking surface awareness: Soft ground can cause issues for heavy vehicles. At Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed, a camper warned, "Beware of the dune sand, you might get stuck," particularly important for RVers to consider when selecting parking spots near water features.

Seasonal planning: Winter access is severely limited or impossible at many sites. A Little Camas Reservoir visitor reported, "In the winter it is not plowed, so you can't access it. Found out the hard way," highlighting the importance of seasonal planning for RV travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Corral, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Corral, ID is Little Camas Reservoir with a 4-star rating from 20 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Corral, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 37 dispersed camping locations near Corral, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.