Looking for tent camping near Craters of the Moon National Monument? Find the best information on tent camping near Craters of the Moon National Monument, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
This campground has 21 campsites with a maximum length trailer size of 35 foot. Seven sites are located along Iron Bog creek and the rest are out in the open sage-brush. There is one hand pump (during summer months) and two accessible restrooms. Four campsites have shade-awnings. Non-reservable campground with a $10.00/night fee. Hitching rail available, one group campsite with 25 person capacity. Nearby Iron Bog Lake, Brockie Lake and Fishpole Lake. Smiley Mountain looms overhead. Use is light, with the exception of holiday weekends.
Copper Creek/Garfield Campground is a primitive, non-fee, non-reservation campground composed of 8 campsites in a canyon carved by Copper Creek. This area is accessible from May through October. Fishing is available in area streams. Mormon Hill trailhead is located at the end of Forest Road #130. This trail extends north into the Challis National Forest. Campground amenities include a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire rings, and hitching posts for stock.
This area serves as a base camp for climbing the tallest mountain in Idaho. It has 5 campsites, accessible vault toilet, No drinking water, safety and informational signs. Nearby areas of interest include Earthquake site and Mackay Reservoir.
$5 / night
The Starhope Campground has 21 units in a beautiful wooded setting with Starhope Creek flowing through it. There are two handpumps to provide potable water, three vault toilets are available, and several hitching rails. Water is available during summer months only. Nearby areas of interest include Broad Canyon, Starhope Canyon and Bear Creek Trail.
We came to Craters of the Moon early, ended up being there most of the day. Instead of going on and trying to find dispersed camping, we treated ourselves to a site in the park.
Sites are $15, and you must have the American the Beautiful Pass or pay park entry fee.
The sites are dry camping with toilet facilities and water (no dump station).
The sites are right in amongst lava field and is quite unique.
Campground was very quiet at night and very dark. Could see the sky and stars wonderfully.
Definitely a great park and place to stay.
The campground is clean $20 a night with some highway noise. There is a bear in the area at this time.
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.
We arrived with a reservation for a rental RV, smooth and friendly check-in. But then... Small site, no shade at all. Nicely flat though. Firepit/BBQ filled with cigarettes, non-usable. Pool was as small as can be, 10 pax= overcrowded. Toilets and showers outdated, broken and terribly dirty. The neighbour will play a loud national anthem at 9 p.m. and an even louder reveille at 9 a.m. One can see as far as possible, but the scenery consists of old trailers and mess.
Pro's: The showers were for free and nicely warm. 4 washing machines ($1,75 half an hour) 4 dryers ($1,50 half an hour) Free wafles and coffee between 9a.m. and 10 a.m. Friendly staff.
Overall: nearly good enough for a one night stay. Never saw something like this before.
For our family's first vacation in our new travel trailer, we foolishly chose to visit the KOA campground in Arco, Idaho. We had informed them of our late arrival around 11 PM. Upon arrival, they handed us a map and pointed to a campsite number. None of the spots were properly marked, but surrounded by other trailers, we assumed we were in the right place. The next morning, we discovered the bathrooms were absolutely revolting, clearly not cleaned for days, despite a sign claiming daily cleaning. Mud on the floors, mold and mildew in the showers, overflowing trash, and toilet paper strewn about—it was utterly disgusting. When we returned later that day, a staff member immediately confronted us, accusing us of lacking a reservation. We provided the requested documentation, and they disappeared. Then the owner or manager approached us aggressively, violently pointing out our supposed error on the map and ordering us to move everything to the correct spot—right behind where we had parked, already occupied by another family they had mistakenly placed. In a menacing tone, he begrudgingly decided to relocate the incoming family to our original spot. This whole scene unfolded in front of numerous families at the KOA, with no regard for our embarrassment or the other campers' discomfort. After this disgraceful ordeal, we decided to just pack up and leave, not even bothering to request a refund. As we were packing, the manager approached, still not apologizing, but handed me a receipt for a refund that I never asked for nor wanted. I informed him firmly that this was not about money but about their appalling mismanagement. I intend to dispute the refund because this KOA should not be associated with such incompetence and filth and I will not accept hush money.
Arrived later than I wanted and was thrilled to find site 1, I believe this was the North entrance, was available. Great spot with a pit toilet and table. Plenty of room to park and level. Loved listening to the creek all night. Wet a fly the next morning and caught a great brown trout. Lots of little dinkers, too.
It’s a quiet place. It is dusty. The camp host was awesome. He was quick to tell us what sites were still available on a holiday weekend. He even alerted the campers that a bear was spotted a few miles down. There is no power and no cell service.
Free (donation box) camping. I have a hard time imagining this place filling up, plenty of field to park in. Most RVs were under a row of trees. Two vault toilets, on either end of camping. Not the cleanest or freshest I’ve used, but not the worst. Great scenery and birdwatching. Good stop on the way to/from Craters.
Great sites nestled In The lava rocks. Great hiking or biking the 7mi loop road. We didn't have reservations but got there early (2pm) it looked very full by 6pm. We got our spot, then drove our rv around to the different scenic spots and returned to camp 5 hrs later.
It was a special camping experience. They just renewed all the roads in the park. Campground is right next to loop around the park with some nice spots. Clean flushing toilets and water. Get there in time! We had one of the last spots at 5pm
Spent two nights here so we could visit nearby Craters of the Moon. Spaces are long and level at least. Fire pits are shared with 1-2 other spots. Our table was completely leaning over. Neither of the bathroom toilets would flush. The sprinklers came on in the middle of camp and soaked everything with no warning. Okay if you need a quick stop for the night.
Nice sites . Some more suitable for tents, other for vans.
15$ per night, first come first serve. We were there Memorial weekend (Sunday) and there were still spots.
This site was pretty easy to find. There were a couple of campers camped closer to the road from the turn-off but we managed to find a spot that was secluded and perfect for us right next to the creek. Tons of space, especially since we were by ourselves. Had a real fire pit! This was a cold stay and our tent was covered in frost in the morning, but a good spot to be. Close enough to town, close enough to hiking.
Stopped at Craters of the Moon on our trip home from Mt Rainer. It’s not a large campground, and it off the main road. A little hard to find. (Behind Pickle’s Place). Convent to Craters of the Moon !
Prices are 28$ a night unless you have the America the beautiful pass then it's 4$ they have caves that are free to access but you have to get a permit from the visitor center the spots are small and people get there late sometimes so it was a bit noisy at night we stayed for 4 days the hole attraction is because of lava formations over all a very nice stay
Quiet, private campsites. Close to Sun Valley. Place to turn around if unable to fine a campsite. No cell coverage. Only 3 day limit.
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.
This 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
First come first serve, clean bathrooms and water. Easy card payments for campsites. The geology of the area is really neat, and it's right off the main road drive through the rest of the park. Very unique.
Accesible by any car. Giant desert field with fire pits. No shade . No one there when I was there. Sunday evening Some broken glass around fire pit
This 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.
Paved parking spot, with access for a smaller camper; a few tent sites. Drop toilet, fire pit, picnic bench, Disabled parking spot. True tranquility and bliss, and skies for days.
I selected this campground after missing out on a nearby first come first serve that was fully booked. I am just thrilled with the campsites and cleanliness of the pit toilets and nearby stream and fishing.
After a lil ways down from the road. We found this gem Beautiful scenery and no one else around
Came after a few nights in Yellowstone to escape the crowds. Can’t recommend this area enough - the campground/bathrooms are immaculate and the scenery is super cool. Had a very private campsite, could still see the Milky Way despite the bright moon. Worth a detour for sure.
I 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.
The first part of the road allows for 3-day max camping, but a little further in, you’ll hit 16-day max stay! The sites further up are away from the others and run along a stream. Still further in, you’ll hit a Y in the road. The right side leads you to a small parking lot with bathrooms and access to a small pond, the left leads you up to more sites. Not too far past the pond, the dirt road is less smooth and has tall grass growing in the middle of the road. I scored a gorgeous site, with a campfire pit already established. The site overlooks the pond, with the Sun Valley Ski Resort seen in the distance and has a gorgeous Mountain View on the opposite side. Absolutely stunning! Plenty of ground squirrels and butterflies and have only seen 2 cars all day.
Camping near Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning volcanic landscapes. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking an RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping near Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation. With unique landscapes and a variety of campgrounds, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Craters of the Moon National Monument?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Craters of the Moon National Monument is Little Wood River with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Craters of the Moon National Monument, with real photos and reviews from campers.
