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Best Dispersed Camping near Crouch, ID

37 Reviews

Boise National Forest offers several dispersed camping options near Crouch, Idaho, with Beautiful Boise National Forest and Tripod areas being particularly popular. Campsites range from riverside locations with small beaches to open spaces near Tripod Reservoir. Most sites require self-sufficiency as they lack amenities like drinking water, toilets, and trash service. The standard 14-day stay limit applies throughout the forest.

Access varies by location, with some sites requiring navigation on narrow, rough roads that can be challenging for larger vehicles. As one review noted, "The road that the coordinates lead us to was very narrow and rough and ended at a gate just 300 feet from the lake." Several areas permit both tent and RV camping, though larger rigs should stick to more accessible locations. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and visitors should verify current regulations before travel. Many sites feature informal fire rings, but campers need to bring their own firewood and pack out all waste.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Crouch, Idaho (18)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Crouch, ID

37 Reviews of 18 Crouch Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Herrick Reservoir Access

    Just ok

    Camping is free, limit of 10 days. Not really any designated sites and surrounded by private land with aggressive signage. Not all roads around the reservoir are public, so be prepared to turn around and back up at dead ends. We came to an orange gate that said "private property", and stopped. While trying to turn around, we noticed a white truck sitting behind us. When we turned around and passed him, he motioned to roll down the window, and then berated us and called us idiots, even though we had not even entered the private land, nor did we want to. We felt threatened. In the end we chose a site on the upper road of the reservoir. The view was nice but not close to the pit toilet. No fire ring. No table. A no frills place. Like many lakes in Idaho, the reservoir is mostly dry. Not a huge deal but not the prettiest to look at. There is only one single pit toilet for the whole reservoir and someone was set up right next to it like it was their own. People ride off-road vehicles here. In an area with slim pickings for free camping, I guess you have to take what you can get.

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

    Forest Service Campsite FR0215B Dispersed

    Great place, Quiet

    Large open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents.

    Avoid during holidays, people leave tents and rvs for days to keep the spot despite rules and the ranger station will do nothing about it. At those times expect loud parties and even fights or gunfire which the rangers will also do nothing about.

    Other than that its great. Take a right on the highway and head to the sourdough lodge for the best pancakes for hundreds of miles.

    There are many other dispersed and paid spots along the highway.

    Details: Free camping 14 Day limit No tables at campsites Minimal wood to scavenge Town of Lowman is close by No trash, water, or toilets

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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. 💚

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

    Beautiful spot, but difficult to get to

    About an hour off the highway, 7 miles of which are washboard-bumpy gravel roads along the lake cliffside (Had to drive under 10mph those last 7 miles). We were in an AWD sprinter van, and the road conditions definitely put a damper on the night. Site is right on the water gorgeous once you’re there. The stars were incredible. Toilet on site but the flies were swarming.

  • Taylor C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2023

    Iron Creek Camp on Forest Road 619

    dope spot little sketch

    this camping site is great, super bumpy dirt road takes you to a few hidden plots tucked away by a river. private and easy to crash for the night

  • Austin L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 16, 2025

    Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

    Great location lots of utv noise and traffic

    The location is absolutely beautiful, a small piece of heaven. There are maybe 10-15 roughly built fire rings, and you can walk or park right on the waters edge. There is a single public use restroom that was in good condition and open in the winter. The only downside is that throughout the night and all day, multiple jeeps and side by sides traveling through to use the restroom and play in the water. They were all respectful though. It is roughly 10 miles of maintained dirt road to reach this site.

Guide to Crouch

Dispersed camping near Crouch, Idaho offers primitive backcountry sites throughout Boise National Forest at elevations ranging from 3,000-7,000 feet. The region experiences warm summer days with cool nights, while spring and fall bring significant temperature fluctuations. Winter access often requires snow-capable vehicles as many forest roads close seasonally.

What to do

Fishing access: Several dispersed sites provide direct water access for anglers. At Willow Creek Campground, visitors find "great fishing location. Even has a sunken truck that's been there for more years than most locals said they've known."

Hiking nearby: Forest roads near rustic camping areas connect to trail networks. The area around Mores Creek offers "a variety of free and dispersed sites, most of them with rock campfire rings, near a nice shallow creek... only a 3 minute drive from Idaho City" for additional supplies or services.

Swimming spots: Summer heat makes water access valuable. Sites along Arrowrock Reservoir provide natural relief as "there are many group sites and single sites... I love being able to jump into the lake and ride my bike along the lake."

What campers like

Natural hot springs: The region features several geothermal areas. Near Beautiful Boise National Forest, campers appreciate riverside locations "with little beaches. We are near 4 natural hot springs!! Yes there is a road next to the campsite, but we are down a little slope."

Secluded camping: Away from crowds, particularly during weekdays. At Tripod Dispersed camping, visitors note "We spend lots of summers here. So many open spaces. Lots of cattle roaming. Creeks, lake, and hiking."

Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain air creates excellent night sky viewing. One camper at Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground reported "Site is right on the water gorgeous once you're there. The stars were incredible."

What you should know

Road conditions: Many dispersed areas require traveling on rough roads. Irish Point requires driving "about an hour off the highway, 7 miles of which are washboard-bumpy gravel roads along the lake cliffside" where visitors "had to drive under 10mph those last 7 miles."

No amenities: Most rustic camping near Crouch requires self-sufficiency. Forest Service sites typically have "No site boundaries, easily crowds. No trash or water. Long drive to services... No tables. Minimal rock fire rings."

Toilet facilities: While most areas lack facilities, some dispersed sites offer basic restrooms. Willow Creek has "a bathroom for the entire campground (maybe 9 spots), picnic table, fire pit with grill, small steel table."

Seasonal water levels: Reservoirs fluctuate significantly. Late season camping means "the water level is usually quite low making it difficult to launch boats."

Tips for camping with families

Choose established sites: Areas with informal boundaries work best with children. The Forest Service Campsite FR0215B offers "Large open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents."

Bring entertainment: Limited amenities means planning activities. Near Mores Creek, expect "A fair amount of RV and ATV traffic but still feels pretty secluded. No bathrooms or anything like that."

Prepare for dust: Dry conditions and vehicle traffic create dusty environments. At Beautiful Boise National Forest, campers note "there is a road next to the campsite, but we are down a little slope... The dust from the road doesn't hit us."

Pack out trash: Teaching responsibility is important. Some campers report disappointment at human impacts, finding "Trash...trash... trash... trash everywhere. I wanted to cry. Cleaned up what I could take back with me."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Large rigs face access challenges. For Irish Point, one RVer with "a 30ft travel trailer" found that "once was probably enough for quite some time. Tough access. Bad road."

Leveling challenges: Terrain at many sites is uneven. Irish Point has "Sloped, not much level spots" though it offers "Nice views and easy bank fishing."

Holiday congestion: Peak periods bring crowds. At Forest Service sites, "Avoid during holidays, people leave tents and rvs for days to keep the spot despite rules and the ranger station will do nothing about it."

Early arrival recommended: Secure better spots by timing your visit. Arrowrock "can get very crowded on holidays and weekends though so try to arrive early."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping around Crouch, Idaho?

The Crouch area offers several dispersed camping options in the surrounding Boise National Forest. Forest Service Campsite FR0215B Dispersed provides large open sites with ample space for RVs and tents, particularly if you head left to the top areas. Another option is Herrick Reservoir Access, which offers free camping with a 10-day limit, though be aware it's surrounded by private land with limited public access roads. When searching for dispersed sites, look for established fire rings and be prepared for rough forest service roads. Remember to follow dispersed camping regulations including staying within 300 feet of designated roads and practicing Leave No Trace principles.

When is the best season for dispersed camping in Crouch, Idaho?

The best season for dispersed camping around Crouch is late spring through early fall (May-September), when temperatures are mild and forest roads are most accessible. Summer offers warm days ideal for water activities at places like Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed, though it can get busy during holidays. Some campers prefer spring and fall for fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures. At Iron Creek Camp on Forest Road 619, you'll find peaceful riverside spots during these shoulder seasons. Winter camping is possible at some lower-elevation sites but requires proper cold-weather gear and vehicles capable of handling potentially snowy or muddy roads. Always check road conditions and seasonal closures before heading out.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Crouch?

Dispersed camping sites near Crouch typically offer minimal amenities, staying true to their primitive nature. At Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground, you'll find pit toilets, roughly built fire rings, and beautiful waterfront access, but no marked spots or formal boundaries. The sites accommodate tents or small to mid-sized RVs. Boise National Forest Willow Creek Campground provides more structure with picnic tables, fire pits with grills, and small steel tables. There's also a water pump, though it may not always be operational. Most dispersed sites in the area have no trash service, potable water, or hookups, so come prepared with all necessary supplies and plan to pack out all waste.

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