3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cabin camping near Downey, Idaho ranges from rustic guard stations to fully furnished resort accommodations. Downata Hot Springs offers several cabin styles, including small two-person units with bathrooms, medium-sized cabins with lofts, and larger three-bedroom ranch houses that accommodate up to 12 people. Most cabins include bathrooms with showers, and many feature kitchenettes or full kitchens depending on the size. Electric hookups, heating, and basic furnishings are standard in most locations. Malad Summit Guard Station provides a more rustic cabin experience in a secluded forest setting. "The cabins were clean, came with full shower and toilet. A sink and microwave, coffee pot, and storage. Also had a futon, tv with DVD player. Loved this cabin!"
Lava Hot Springs offers several KOA cabin options within walking distance of local attractions. The West KOA features cabin accommodations alongside their RV sites, while the East KOA similarly provides cabin rentals with easy access to the hot springs. Reservations are essential, particularly during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Most cabins are pet-friendly, though policies vary by location. Riverdale Resort and Bristol Park Historic Cabins represent additional cabin options in the region. One visitor noted, "We wanted to try this out with our 28' bumper pull. Luckily it was not a busy weekend. Perfect site for tents. Tons of shade and trees."
Amenities vary significantly between cabin properties. Most provide beds with mattresses, but guests typically need to bring their own linens, pillows, and towels unless otherwise specified. Kitchen facilities range from simple microwaves in smaller units to full kitchens with refrigerators and cooking utensils in larger cabins. On-site stores at locations like Downata Hot Springs and the KOAs offer basic supplies and firewood, though selection is limited. Visitors staying at more remote cabins like Malad Summit Guard Station should plan to bring all necessary supplies as services are minimal. Winter visitors should confirm heating systems when booking, as seasonal availability varies by location.
"Wow we rented a cabin three times this last winter. Great little cabins with bathrooms the hot pools were 100 feet away and a heated swimming pool."
"We had returned but had got a cabin with a loft. There are only 3 loft cabins. They are super cozy, and come with a full kitchen."
"The people, bathrooms, and showers are all awesome. There is some road noise but not more than you’d get anywhere else."
"The site itself is surrounded by water and even has a small water fall that you could sit in as if it were a small hot tub size. This KOA is clean and friendly staff."
"Kid, pet friendly, walking distance to food and fun. One of the best KOA’s we have stayed at."
"It was small, but cozy. The bathrooms were super clean and so were the showers. This KOA is within walking distance to the hot pools, store, and places to eat."
"We walked across the street to the hot spring pools and a park where in the summer you can tube the river. "
"On river with a short 2min walk to the entrance for tubing"
from $40 - $50 / night
"Each site has a picnic table, a fire ring and some grass. They’re fairly level. The bathroom and the showers are huge and very clean."
"This campground is right off the highway so there is some noise but not bad. Well run campground with clean bathrooms and showers. Fun playground for kids and lots of room to run around."
Available this weekend
"This cabin needs to be reserved first and foremost. The # can be found in the pictures. It is close to the reservoir of you need to cool off and there is also the creek which runs right next to it!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $60 / night
"The cabin we stayed in was an old miners cabin and they had 4 other smaller cabins that were further up the hill. "
from $180 - $445 / night
"Sites are intermixed with RV and tents, but I’d say your best bet is trailer or RV or even renting one of the cabins there as the sites are within earshot of the highway."
"Bathrooms and showers were very clean. You definitely want a lower loop site to get away from the freeway noise, plus you will have more shade during peak summer heat."
"Camping gets you access to the hot springs from check in until 4pm the next day. There’s running water in the bathhouse with a toilet and shower. There’s yoga classes included in the price as well."
LegendI have really enjoyed my one night stop here. Go to the lower campground so that you stay away from the noise of the road. But if you're a trail person and a view person, this is by far the nicest state park so far. Unfortunately I camped in the upper campground. The water was on, but the bathrooms were closed. The lower bathrooms were still open. But they're old and not well maintained.
TravelerNice hosts, clean facilities. A little pricey for being this basic. Train goes by the whole town at all hours of the night, sounds amazing if your into trains :)
RangerI wish e could stay another night but we have to move on. This place is beautiful, peaceful,clean has great views of the lake, and has water and electricity!! Ot doesn’t get any better!
GuideWe camped here with our 4 boys on a Wednesday and Thursday night end of July. We almost had the place to ourselves!
Super family friendly! The kids loved the waterpark. The slides were a blast! Big water slides for our older boys, and a baby pool, splash pad and little kid water slide for the 3 year old.
The pool is on the warmer side, 90°-95°F. It can feel a bit warm on a hot day. But the kids never complained. Very budget friendly for the price. Tons of lifeguards, which was nice for added safety.
Pool has a cool history, and feels very vintage in a good way! Super charming.
We never did the hot soaking pools because it was too hot. But would be awesome in winter!
Trailer/rv sites D49-D57 seemed the best in the park. Tons of shade, and backed up to an open space for the most incredible sunsets!
Has a swing set, sandbox, basketball court and volleyball court for kids to play.
Flushing toilets in multiple spots, showers that you have to pay quarters to use. If you use the pool, free showers in the locker room.
Had a good amount of basic supplies in the main office. And a fun snack bar with ice cream, swirl cones, pizza, nuggets, burgers, etc.
The spots are pretty close together. We really lucked out and had the whole row to ourselves Wednesday night. Almost completely full on Thursday night. Felt way more cramped with all the extra trailers.
The kids absolutely loved it, and so did we! Would definitely do this trip again!
TravelerThe campground is privately owned and sits along the river. Large campground with lots of sites. Pull through and back in plus lots of dedicated tent sites with several right on the river bank. Very clean and well maintained. Walking distance to town where there are plenty of food choices and a nice local market for supplies. There is a walking trail that will take you to town.
ScoutJust called for camper trailer pad prices for the fall, they are no longer $40-60/night. I was quoted $100-120/night.
TravelerWe were driving south from Yellowstone and and to fly off from SLC two days later. We were looking for a spot to stop for the night that wasn’t too urban. Downata has been a blessing. Quiet place with amazing hot springs and very modern pools. Also many sport activities for the kids. An amazing sunset and great people at the desk that were both extremely kind and welcoming but also allowed us to check out a tad later for us to enjoy the site in the morning! Amazing memories for sure. Thank you from Switzerland
Patrick
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are searching for a destination park that can easily accommodate a large group, the Bear Lake/ Marina Side KOA Holiday in Garden City, Utah, is a standout choice. For our crew, this campground was an absolute highlight of our recent travels, serving as the perfect central hub for a fantastic, week-long family reunion.
Accommodations for Every Camper
One of the hardest parts of planning a multi-generational family trip is finding a park that suits everyone's unique comfort levels and camping styles. This park solves that problem effortlessly.
Site Variety: They offer a massive selection of spaces, including full-hookup RV sites, cozy cabins, and traditional tent sites. It was a huge relief knowing that everyone in our traveling party could find exactly the accommodations they needed while still staying together in one park.
Unbeatable On-Site Entertainment
Keeping a large family entertained for almost a week can be a tall order, but this KOA knocks it out of the park.
Mini Golf: Hands down, our grandkids(and the adults!) found the 9-hole mini-golf course to be the most fun thing going in camp. It was such a hit that our group played every single day we were there for 6 days straight!
The KOA Train: Another major highlight was the fun and fast train rides around the park. The grandkids rode it several times during the week. As a fantastic bonus for parents and grandparents, the train rides are completely free.
Exploring the"Caribbean of the Rockies"
While the campground itself is packed with fun, the surrounding area is just as spectacular.
Lake Activities: We spent plenty of time swimming in the stunning, turquoise waters of nearby Bear Lake. The area is also known for a steady, frequent wind coming off the water, which made for perfect kite-flying weather. Don't let wind ruin your fun. Bring a kite! We did.
Local Eats: You simply cannot stay in Garden City without visiting the iconic LaBeau's Drive-In. Grabbing their "Famous" Raspberry Shakes was an absolute must-do for our group, and they completely lived up to the hype!
The Hitched4fun Verdict
The Bear Lake/ Marina Side KOA Holiday perfectly blends family-focused amenities, versatile lodging, and prime access to one of Utah's most beautiful lakes. It is rare to find a park that caters so effectively to both energetic kids and relaxing adults for an extended stay. If you are planning a family reunion or a group getaway, this location is a guaranteed win.
Rating: Highly Recommended by the entire Hitched4fun.com crew!
RangerEasy on/off the interstate, great views, camping with Snake River views. Clean and updated restrooms, trails and a disc golf course (maybe next time… if there is a next time…)
BUT, after paying a bit more than I like to for a state park, a $10 fee for registration online (you can’t pay in person and avoid it), a $7 fee for vehicle entry (even though we paid $52 for camping) I had the pleasure of paying $10 to dump (yes, registered campers must pay to dump). In 40 years of camping, I’ve never had to pay to dump at a campsite I had already paid for. If this is how Idaho is doing all state parks… I don’t think we’ll be exploring.
New tables, good fire rings, friendly hosts, up to you if it’s worth it.
Cabin camping near Downey, Idaho offers lodging options across Caribou-Targhee National Forest and surrounding areas at elevations between 4,500-5,500 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer days typically reach the 80s with cool evenings. Most forest cabins require advance reservations through recreation.gov or directly with resorts.
Hot springs soaking year-round: At Downata Hot Springs, visitors can enjoy multiple soaking options regardless of season. "In the winter time the pool is nice and cold and there are water slides. Cold winter months and you need to get away? Wow we rented a cabin three times this last winter. Great little cabins with bathrooms the hot pools were 100 feet away and a heated swimming pool," notes one visitor.
Tubing adventures: Lava Hot Springs West KOA offers quick access to river activities. "With the pool/water slides across the river, and the shuttle stop for tubing the river across the street and down the road. This campground is the perfect place to enjoy all the water offerings during the summer at Lava Hot Springs," according to a camper. The shuttle service makes multiple tubing runs convenient.
Hiking nearby trails: Explore the area around Malad Summit Guard Station for scenic hikes. "There's a really cool spring and waterfall just a short hike up the road," mentions a reviewer. The trails are typically accessible from May through October, depending on snow conditions.
Natural hot springs accessibility: Many cabins provide quick access to thermal pools. A visitor to Maple Grove Hot Springs reports, "This is one of my favorite places on earth. They have tent sites, van sites and a selection of shelters to choose from. Camping gets you access to the hot springs from check in until 4pm the next day."
Streamside accommodations: Several cabin properties feature waterfront settings. At Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park, a guest mentioned, "It was so fun to watch the Rafters float down the river and to sleep by the sounds of the water. The office staff was so very friendly and helpful. It was a real joy to stay here."
Cabin variety for different group sizes: Downata Hot Springs offers multiple cabin configurations. One reviewer highlighted, "We had returned but had got a cabin with a loft. There are only 3 loft cabins. They are super cozy, and come with a full kitchen. The loft above had 2 twin beds, the main floor had a full size bed, futon, closet, full kitchen and a bathroom with both shower and tub."
Seasonal availability varies: Many forest service cabins close during winter months. The Lava Campground operates during summer and fall, with one visitor noting, "The place is big and the locals certainly come here. Each site has a picnic table, a fire ring and some grass. They're fairly level. Small trees at each site now so until they get big, there won't be much shade in the summer."
Road access considerations: Some cabin locations have challenging access roads. A camper at Malad Summit Guard Station warned, "Hard to maneuver in the campground as well as getting up the narrow road. Perfect site for tents."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Downey, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Downey, ID is Downata Hot Springs with a 4.4-star rating from 12 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 25 cabin camping locations near Downey, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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