RV parks near Dover, Idaho offer diverse camping options with access to both mountain and lakefront settings. Located in North Idaho's Panhandle region, the area sits at elevations ranging from 2,000-2,500 feet with summers averaging 75-85°F. Winter camping options remain available at select locations like Travel America RV Park, which maintains year-round operations despite seasonal closures at many other facilities.
What to Do
Lake activities: Paddle sports at Blue Lake RV Resort provide family-friendly water recreation. "We got a spot with hookups for our van right by the river. I got to do yoga by the lake at sunrise, not too buggy and I saw lots of turtles," notes one visitor. The resort offers "paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards and a floating trampoline."
Beach access: The waterfront at Blackwell Island RV Park features designated swimming areas with quality seating. "They had a clean beach along the Spokane River with plenty of high quality beach chairs to relax in and watch the parade of boats coming from upriver," according to a recent camper. Others mention "a small BMX course" and "secret gardens, walking nature paths and a pond with their own resident ducks."
Theme park proximity: For families seeking thrills, Silverwood Theme Park camping provides convenient access. "The best thing about the campsite is that it is the closest place to stay near Silverwood theme park. You can easily walk from your tent right into the park," explains one reviewer. The park includes both amusement rides and water attractions during summer months.
What Campers Like
Proximity to towns: Tamarack RV Park offers an in-town setting with mature tree coverage. "You're right in town, but the stand of trees it's in makes you forget that," explains one camper. The location provides walkable access to "grocery store, cafe, gas station, department store etc."
Full amenities: Kootenai County Fairgrounds RV Park delivers modern facilities with thoughtful design. "The sites are all pretty level with the parking areas paved. Grass and groomed gravel areas too," notes one reviewer. Another mentions that "WiFi was added in 2023" and highlights how "the roads and sites are all paved."
Layout and design: Many campers appreciate the spacious setup at certain parks. "We loved how large the sites and overall area was, so we could back our rig in easily (40ft long x 13.5ft tall). Even with people on either side, we didn't feel like we were on top of anyone else," reports a Kootenai County camper.
What You Should Know
Train noise: Several RV parks near Dover experience railroad disruptions. At City of Sandpoint, City Beach RV Park, "a train does run right beside the park. Bring earplugs. But, for all the negatives, you can't beat the location." Blue Lake campers similarly report being "between two railway lines" with "constant sound of freight trains passing by throughout the day."
No tent options: Some parks strictly prohibit tent camping. Blackwell Island RV Park specifies "no tents of any kind" according to visitor reviews, while other locations may limit tent placement to gravel pads rather than grassy areas.
Reservation policies: Many parks have non-refundable deposits. One Blue Lake visitor noted: "We paid for six days and with the stifling heat, along with the fires that were in the area, we were smoked out and weren't told that campfires were restricted per an ordinance." Check cancellation policies when booking.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several RV parks include dedicated children's areas. Blackwell Island features "a kids BMX dirt bike area" and Liberty Lake offers "a playground, basketball court, dog park, clubhouse, pool."
Off-peak visits: Weekdays typically offer quieter experiences than weekends, especially during summer months when Silverwood Theme Park draws large crowds. The theme park operates "from May 7 to October 31," so shoulder seasons provide less crowded camping options.
Wildlife viewing: Children can enjoy seeing local animals at Travel America RV Park, which features "lots of grass and trees" with open spaces for wildlife watching. Blue Lake RV Resort is "full of catfish and turtles that you can feed," making it particularly engaging for young children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When booking, request specific sites when available. At Blue Lake RV Resort, "in order to keep a particular spot you pick, you have to pay a little extra to reserve it or you can still risk having them move you to a different spot if they want to."
Hookup configuration: Check utility locations before arrival. Liberty Lake reviewers note that at some parks "hookups are on the wrong side at most of the sites," which can create setup challenges.
Winter camping considerations: For cold weather stays, understand winterization policies. One camper mentions "a $100 deposit on the heat tape during winter on the spigot. If you don't want to pay it then you have to call them to unlock the water to fill your tank."
