Best Tent Camping near Council, ID
Tent camping options near Council, Idaho include several primitive sites in the surrounding Payette National Forest. Brundage Reservoir Camping Area offers dispersed tent camping with boat-in, drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options. Other nearby tent-friendly locations include Slaughter Gulch in Council and Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area, which is approximately 25 miles southeast of Council.
Most tent sites in this region lack developed amenities. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including drinking water, as most areas do not provide potable water. Fire rings are available at some locations like Paradise Campground, but not all sites have established fire pits. Vault toilets can be found at Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area but are absent at many other locations including Brundage Reservoir. The terrain typically consists of forest floor with minimal site preparation. According to one visitor, "The fir trees stand tall and still... It's really just a small meadow in the mountains that the BLM put a vault toilet and a couple of fire rings in."
The tent camping experience in this area offers genuine seclusion and natural surroundings. Areas around Brundage Reservoir provide lakeside camping opportunities with direct water access. A recent review mentioned that Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area "is excellent if you just want a quiet place where no one is around." Campers should be prepared for significant temperature drops at night, even in summer months. The higher elevation sites near McCall, such as Lick Creek Area and Paddy Flat, provide access to alpine lakes and wilderness trails. Wildlife sightings are common, and campers should practice proper food storage. The surrounding mountains offer hiking opportunities with scenic views of valleys and forests, making these primitive tent sites ideal bases for day hikes or backpacking trips.
