Looking for a place to go glamping near Craters of the Moon National Monument? The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Craters of the Moon National Monument experience while glamping. You're sure to find glamping for your Idaho camping adventure.
This secluded camping area at Craters of the Moon National Monument is the perfect spot for organized groups. It is available by reservation only for groups of up to 30 people (May-September) for tent camping only.
The Visitor Center and scenic 7-mile Loop Drive are located 1.5 miles from the group campground on the south side of U.S. Highway 20/26/93. Climbing Sunset Cone is a strenuous activity but the views from the top are outstanding. Obtain an additional day-use permit for venturing north of the campground on Goodale's Cutoff. This historic trail was an alternative route used by pioneers travelling to the Oregon Territory. This dirt and gravel double-track road is a great place for riding a mountain bike. Obtain a map at the Visitor Center.
The group campground accommodates up to 30 people for tent camping only. The site has picnic tables, one large campfire ring, drinking water and a vault restroom. A large barbecue is also onsite for grilling with briquettes. The parking area will accommodate eight vehicles maximum (no RVs or trailers).
Please be aware the campground has an accessible picnic table and vault toilet, but paths to these are not accessible.
Craters of the Moon is known for its extensive lava flows and well-preserved volcanic features. The group campground is located on the north side of U.S. Highway 20/26/93 at the base of Sunset Cone, a 12,000 year old cinder cone. A grove of Douglas fir trees grows on the shady north side of the volcano surrounding the group campground.
The Peaks to Craters Scenic Byway links the high peaks of the Lost River Range to the volcanic craters of Craters of the Moon. Restaurants, groceries and supplies are available in nearby Arco, Idaho (18 miles east).
$15 - $30 / night
Visit Website for information
SCARS HOME YOU CAN USE AS A DRY DUSTY BUMPY RARELY LEVEL FIELD FOR CAMPING OR DOGS
WIFI, ELECTRICITY, CAMPFIRE, AND A BEER. ACCESS CONTROLLED FOR SAFETY. ALL FREE.
NO WATER OR SEWER ON SITE.
NO NEW GUESTS AFTER SUNSET.
NO GATE ACCESS 10:30 PM TO 7AM.
READ THE WEBSITE AND YOU CAN COME
Five-day max within a 30 day period.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the__Recreation.gov__mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to__first download the free__Recreation.gov__mobile app__https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app\_\_prior to your arrival__as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Traveler
This is a great location. The owner of the property, Scar, is very generous in offering his property for free to stay at to complete strangers. This is dry camping, no water or sewer. There’s a dump station with water close by off the main highway. He does have a few outlets we saw but didn’t use them. Owner is friendly and generous. We enjoyed the nightly campfire. Read his website before arriving, all he really asks for and be respectful. Craters of the Moon is not too far. We hope to stop by again one day. Idaho is beautiful.
Scout
This place is so unique that I imagine it'd be hard to have a bad camping spot. That being said, it felt like they really tried to cram as many camp spots into one area as possible. It left me not wanting to sit outside my van as much, which maybe is my own issue, but dampened the experience for me as there were other campers very close by. And for the price it was (I actually can't recall if I paid $20 or $30) but it was expensive. Also, due to COVID, on-site bathrooms were closed, which they failed to make clear before buying a site for the night.
GuideThis experience is a must! The campsite is in the lava fields. Like amongst piles of volcanic rock and mounds of lava flows. It’s unreal! If you like rocks, plan to stay a few days. We almost went back after we left!
GuideUnlike anywhere else to camp! Amazing stars, easy access to trails and beautiful volcanic landscapes. My only complaint is the lack of privacy and sound carries a little too well so hopefully you’ll have respectful neighbors. We moved sites when more people left-Very little trees and rock piles separate each site. The facilities were super clean with flushing toilets and sinks-no showers. Water pumps throughout the sites, and a very convenient self pay station per night for the campsites.
LegendThank you Elon for Starlink else I could not stay here. Zut Verizon or Cricket ( cricket sometime showed 1 bar but not usable)
Great campground, friendly staff. No hookups but potable water available.
The National Monument is so different. The stark, barren countryside is so rugged it’s beautiful
Not that many big rig sites, so pity it’s only fcfs, especially as it is so remote.
Loved the visit
Did not use facilities so cannot comment on them
$$$$. If you do not have a pass ( like, America the Beautiful which you can apparently buy onsite ) there will be a daily access fee.
TravelerThis is a great campground We parked at site 7 We would stay there again and next time spend an extra day or two, riding the bikes through the loop
GuideBut, a convenient place to camp if you are visiting and exploring the park. Ranger led programs, lava tunes, volcanic landscape.
TravelerLots of space for a large group. There were 10 of us. Sit hasn’t it’s own water and vault bathroom, which was clean. Lots of space to run and play. This site is not a destination unto itself, but is a good launchpad into the park
TravelerI loved this campground! it feels like you are staying in the middle of the lava beds. it has easy checkin if you arrive after hours, reservations are not required and you can pay on site any hour of the day or night! It is clean and quiet. The facilities are well kept up. The Ranger station and visitor center are nearby. the campground is at the start of the drive through the Monument. It is open so you can do stargazing without difficulty! it was wonderful!
GuideIt was like another planet. We really enjoyed this park & campground. We were told it fills up fast but we got there early enough and then went exploring. The weather was cool & rainy so we didn’t explore as much as we would have liked.
GuideStandard profit maximized government campground with some unique sites. Super clean bathrooms, easy self pay, accessible sites and a lot of walking and driving activities available. Will definitely feel crowded when full. Sat/sun night at the end of oct was maybe 25%. Excellent stargazing
ScoutThe guy is welcoming. Nice little place for anyone who’s looking for a nights sleep. Just be mindful of the campground and just relax👍🏼
TravelerTalk about a great find after taking a wrong turn at 1.am free sites with plenty to pick from. When you check out the website make sure you read the whole thing, the guy is hilarious, had my girl and I laughing the whole time, dogs had a blast were able to run around the whole time with out leash,. I would rate more than 5 stars if I could
ScoutIt's a free campground ran by a disabled vet. He can't and won't charge anyone, though lately has been allowing donations to pay it forward and help with things like recovering the power installation etc. Come make a friend, share a beer, hang as long as you want as long as you're not a jerk. Dogs are welcome and the place is named after one.
ScoutTitle says a lot. Dude put in many power stations, wifi etc all on his own and only wants people to act decent to stay. Lots of room. Old buses for hostels. Shower, water sewer garbage a few feet away. Near town and free. Campfire gatherings most nights. Check it out.
Traveler
We only stayed for one night. We have a 36ft travel Trailer and we're able to maneuver it very well. The campground road is gravelly and circles most of the small campground so you can look for a good spot. There is one pit toilet, but we didn't use it. We didn't use our computers but was able to get Amazon prime and watch a movie without glitches. Cell service was good (we have Verizon). There is a gas station and small grocery store 20 miles from the site so you are not totally removed from civilization. When we were there (in late April) it was quiet and not much traffic, this is a great place to stay for a few nights or more. Since this is a free campsite, it is not maintained but worth the stay.
GuideI was excited to pull in, but didn’t feel safe. This is a pretty good-sized area and lots of cars and rvs. I drove through and saw several open spaces, but I didn’t feel great about the neighbors. I have nothing to back this up, but my gut. I pulled into one of the few shady spots to camp overnight and leave in the morning. But, I decided to move on after about 20 minutes. You can hear a creek from the site and tons of bugs that come with water.
TravelerThis campground was a nice break after spending the last few nights at Walmart's. Yes, you can hear road noise but still quieter than the city! There were a lot of level spots to chose from and the trees were a welcomed sight in the 90 degree heat.
ScoutThis was a great free spot. Even had a great camp host. She came over to see if we needed help when we pulled in. We found an open spot for our solar but there were also shady spots.
TravelerThis was a great spot to park and camp on our way through. River for a dog swim and multiple spots. Only complaint was it was hard to spot the entrance at night.
TravelerCamp ground was clean and nice! River runs close and plenty of shade! The only complaint is it is right next to a busy road so you get to listen to semi trucks drive by all night.
LegendThis campground sits right off of Hwy 20 along the Big Wood River. It is a dispersed campground with varying degrees of levelness and sizes. No real privacy here despite being surrounded by trees, mostly aspens which were starting to change color in September and give the place a little bit of a peaceful atmosphere. There were a few campers there with trailers when we were there that seemed to keep to themselves and only one of the trailers looked a little rundown and sketchy.
There is river access which is nice and easy. There is road noise as it sits fairly close to the highway.
There are pit toilets and a few of the “sites” have stone pits but fire restrictions are in effect so no fires at this time. There are no garbage cans or dumpsters so pack in and pack out. Also there were no water spigots that we found, so filter from the river or bring water. Overall this is a dusty fairly noisy stop good for a night. I wouldn’t make it a destination but if you’re tired of driving and need a place to crash it’s free and easily accessed.
There is a 10 day limit on camping within a 30 day period. Weak Verizon, good ATT and no TMobile cell reception.
Legend
This is a smaller campground tucked back against the mountains. Good shade trees. Close to hiking, fishing and mountain biking. Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill.
LegendWe took a chance and scouted a right before the 4th of July weekend and we scored big time. Site #1. Because of the view, we pulled our 30ft class A in instead of backing. We had long range, multi tiered views of the Sawtooth Mtn. The sites are generously spaced with picnic table and fire ring. There is a camp host and firewood is available at their site.. Water is available at the dump station located on the left before you arrive. It services all area NF service campgrounds as well as paid for others not. We had good ATT service 2 and 3 bars. Most of the sites have some shade. There are other disbursed campsites on the main FS road, but we were not disturbed by cars. It is super quiet at night. The night was cool. Lots of hiking , mountain biking and fishing in the immediate area. Ketchum and Sun Valley are 15 min away. The rails to trails multi purpose trail starts just down the road. Super safe place to ride. 30 + miles . We don't want to leave.
ScoutGood spot not too far back the road. About 12 sites here. First come. Set against the side of the mountain. Simple bathroom. Nice creek running nearby. Quiet with good chance at wildlife sightings.
ScoutMurdock campground has been lovely. There are 11 spots each with a picnic table, partial shade, and fire ring. There are two pit toilets and drinking water that is ice cold coming out of the tap. The camp hosts have been absolutely wonderful. The only downside is that the air quality is pretty bad due to fires in the surrounding areas.
GuideThis is a fee based campground with a host that offers a first come first serve camping experience. We got in late in the day and were happy to find a spot. The ground was a bit limited for tent camping but we ended with a great location near moving water. The sound of water created a very serene environment for rest. The real treat came when we saw the beauty of the night sky unencumbered by city lights; the Milky Way was on full display.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Craters of the Moon National Monument?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Craters of the Moon National Monument is Group Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Craters of the Moon National Monument?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 glamping camping locations near Craters of the Moon National Monument, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
