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Best Tent Camping near Downey, ID

421 Reviews

The mountainous terrain surrounding Downey, Idaho offers several tent camping options within a short drive. Primitive tent campsites can be found at Dry Canyon Campground near Malad City, approximately 20 miles southwest of Downey, which operates from June to September. North Fork Overflow and North Fork Campground in St. Charles Canyon provide tent-only camping areas from May to September, with the latter featuring separate sections for tents away from RV sites. Cold Springs Campground near Montpelier, about 40 miles east, accommodates tent campers with basic amenities during the May to September season.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature minimal amenities, requiring self-sufficiency from visitors. Vault toilets are available at Cold Springs and North Fork campgrounds, but drinking water is generally not provided. Sites typically consist of natural dirt or gravel surfaces with minimal grading. Fire rings are common at established sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry summer months. Campers should bring their own water supply and pack out all trash. The narrow access roads to some sites, particularly Cold Springs Campground, may present challenges during wet weather or for vehicles with low clearance.

Tent campers frequently choose these areas for their relative seclusion and natural settings. According to reviews, North Fork Overflow offers a solitary experience "back in the mountains a couple hours from civilization," making it appealing for those seeking backcountry tent camping experiences. At North Fork Campground, visitors noted that "tent sites had ample room along with metal fire rings and picnic tables," providing a comfortable primitive camping experience. Smithfield Dispersed Campsite, though slightly farther away, offers walk-in tent sites along a creek with spots suitable "for one or two tents or maybe a couple of hammocks." Fall camping is particularly pleasant at many of these locations, with cooler temperatures and reduced crowds enhancing the wilderness experience.

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Best Tent Sites Near Downey, Idaho (18)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Downey, ID

5 Photos of 18 Downey Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Downey, ID

421 Reviews of 18 Downey Campgrounds

  • Pat S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Sunrise Campground

    Good campground, easily accessable

    Sunrise CG is located right of hwy 89 about 10 minutes west of Garden City.  The CG sits above Bear Lake. The sites are pretty spacious, heavily wooded with good shade. There are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. There are 27 sites available. There are no hooks or dump stations. There a vault toilets and no showers. there is drinking wager available. This CG can accommodate walk in tent camping to RVs. You can reserve some sites on rec.gov. 

    This was a good stop that was convenient on the way through northern Utah. The camp host was awesome and funny.

  • skoerber@moscow.com The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Maple Grove Campground

    small campground by the lake

    Stayed one night at the end of May. The road along Oneida Narrows is good graded gravel. At the base of the dam, a sign recommends against large RVs and towed vehicles so I scouted it first, but it's ok, just a little rutted in places. The campground is small, 12 spaces. I suggest not towing a camper that's longer than 20 ft or so, due to the general smallness of the pull ins and the narrowness of the road. Sites have picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets that were reasonably clean. No water or trash service. There is access to the reservoir shore, but it has a lot of aquatic growth near the shore, which i don't like. So many fish jumping, big ones! I don't know what they were. It was about half full when I was there mid week. Quiet except when the neighbor was playing his trumpet -- are you kidding me?!?! No cell service, Verizon.  Nice shade from the maples. Surrounding ridges are scenic.

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Goodenough Creek Campground

    More than the Name Suggests!

    Agreat little campground that is split into a more developed tent area and a primitive tent area.  The developed tent area had gravel pads along with picnic tables and metal fire rings.  There was also a halfdicap vault toilet near the entrance.  At the primitive site we found a wonderful little rope swing that swung out over the creek.  All the primitive sites were wonderfully cool and shaded while the developed sites were more exposed

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    North Fork Campground - St. Charles Canyon

    Beautiful Scenery in Idaho Mountains

    This beautiful campground lies close to the end of St Charles Canyon near the Minnetonka Cave.  It has 2 sections one of which is mainly for rvs and the 2nd which is for tents and camper Van's.  The RV spots seemed kind of close but the tent sites had ample room along with metal fire rings and picnic tables.  There was a vault toilet up near the rvs  and down by the tent sites

  • A
    Sep. 25, 2020

    Scout Mountain Campground

    Beautiful basic camping in Furs and Pines

    Beautiful campground set high up in the Caribou National Forest. The campground is around 13 miles up a mountain from Pocatello- it took us roughly 30 minutes driving up curvy mountain roads to get up to the top. Be advised, our gps tried to route us off a dirt road half way up, but you just stay on the paved road all the way up. We got site 20, I’m not sure which loop, as the loops were kind of hard to determine. It was next to bathrooms and across from water and a group campsite which looked like it’d be awesome if you were in a group (site 19.) Beautiful in the pines and furs. You can’t see from the road but many of the tent pads are behind the tables and fire rings. The tent pads aren’t huge- Our tent pad wasn’t big enough for our 6 person REI tent so we pitched right behind our car on the parking pad, which was considerably larger. We were only staying for one night on a Thursday and it was very quiet with only a handful of other campers, but I saw reserve tags on most camp sites in our loop for the weekend. No showers, vault toilets. Drinking water. We tent camp so I didn’t see if there were any electric sites, ours was not. We saw cows, moose, birds and deer on the mountain. Wish we could have stayed an extra night to hike around the area.

  • P H.
    Jun. 23, 2020

    Devils Creek RV Park

    Close quarters but friendly faces

    This is an older campground, and space near reservoirs is a hot commodity. The RV park host was very friendly and accommodating. Very clean campground with a nice boat dock and plenty of spaces to get down near the reservoir and fish.

    Warning - Some of the spaces felt like extremely close quarters especially with slide outs. The picture below shows one of the older full utility locations. Some units may not have much room to slide out without contacting the utility boxes. Some units offer great shade and an awning next to a shared fire pit, shared picnic table. Some units have a really nice shared grass area between trailers. Also several people here are seasonal campers with monthly rates. This can make finding a space a little more challenging. Call ahead and make sure to get reservations so you can get a spot.

    Lot size seems inconsistent between spaces as some feel very cramped and some of the high number units without utilities had larger spaces between them, almost appearing as an extra space between two units people were using for pet/kid play areas.

    Dogs are to be kept on leashes, but people should consider short leashes/tie lines as it is easy for pets to cross into adjacent units depending upon where they are staked. Make sure to plan ahead for power adapters. Only one 30amp service so if your planning to run AC, plan to be the first in or coordinate with your neighbor.

  • Mark & Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2022

    Blackfoot Reservoir Campground

    Beautiful Campground

    Easy access.  Lots of wildlife - birds, fox, mule deer, moose!  Beautiful, level, improved sites with electric hook-ups.  Pavilions over each picnic table.  Fire rings.  Vault toilets - very clean.  Dump station.  Water available.

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Albert Moser

    Nice quiet area with tons of shade next to the creek

    Edry spot has complete shade throughout the entire day and even if that's not enough it's right next to the stream. There are vault toilets, permanent fire rings, and picnic tables at each site with a place for hanging garbage.

  • Beth B.
    Jul. 22, 2018

    Scout Mountain Campground

    Perfect in every way!

    We stayed on site #3, nice and shady, perfect walking distance to clean vault toilets, water spigot not far, and off the road so you feel tucked away. Nice sturdy picnic tables, latern stand, and great fire ring with attached grill, and an additional freestanding grill available. Loved that spot!

Guide to Downey

Tent camping near Downey, Idaho offers a variety of scenic spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With options ranging from well-equipped campgrounds to more secluded sites, there's something for everyone.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Portneuf Lower Sportsmen's Access features designated spots with fire rings and picnic tables, making it a convenient choice for a quick overnight stay.
  • Cold Springs Campground provides picnic tables and firewood, allowing campers to enjoy a cozy evening around the fire.
  • Maple Grove Hot Springs offers unique accommodations like yurts and cabins, along with access to hot springs, enhancing the camping experience.

Activities to enjoy while camping

  • At Dry Canyon Campground, visitors can engage in group activities around a large cement fireplace, perfect for social gatherings.
  • North Fork Overflow is ideal for those seeking solitude, with opportunities for hiking and exploring the Idaho wilderness.
  • Conestoga Ranch provides a range of recreational activities around Bear Lake, including boating and mountain biking.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $400

  • Camping at Secluded Maple Creek River Bottoms is a budget-friendly option, offering a peaceful retreat without any fees.
  • For a more luxurious experience, Conestoga Ranch features glamping accommodations with prices ranging from $209 to $399 per night.
  • Harry's Hollow Campground offers a no-cost camping experience, perfect for those looking to enjoy nature without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Downey, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Downey, ID is Maple Grove Hot Springs with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Downey, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Downey, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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