Camping near Dubois, Idaho offers a variety of accommodation options including glamping tents, cabins, and seasonal yurt rentals. The area sits at an elevation of approximately 5,150 feet with a dry climate that features dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, particularly during summer months when daytime highs can drop by 30-40 degrees after sunset. Most campgrounds in the region are open from May through September, with water systems typically operational by late May.
What to do
Fly fishing spots: The Buffalo River provides ideal conditions for beginner fly fishing with moderate depths of 2-3 feet and deeper holes throughout. "My boy and I headed up to Island Park for Father's Day '19 for a few days of camping and fly fishing. We arrived at the river just in time for a massive Caddis fly hatch and he landed himself a few 10″ trout," notes Andy O.
Hiking to waterfalls: At Grand View Campground, visitors can access Lower Mesa Falls without paying entrance fees. "The campground is within walking distance of Lower Mesa Falls and an easy but longer hike to Upper Mesa Falls. Definitely do the hike to the falls to save yourself a parking fee($5), or be sure to take your Interagency National Parks card and the parking fee will be waived," recommends Annie C.
Paddling and water activities: Several campgrounds offer water access for various activities. At Flat Rock Campground, campers can enjoy easy river entry points. "It's right of Hwy 20 easy In and Out...Perfect Campground for staying overnight going to or leaving Yellowstone. Close to the river and there is people from other camps fly fishing for trout," notes Bebe R.
What campers like
Private river sites: Many visitors appreciate the secluded riverside camping options. At Upper Coffee Pot Campground, campers enjoy riverside accommodations. "I am in LOVE with this campground! It has a gentle, slow moving river that runs right next to it. We stayed in one of the sites by the River. Some sites have electric. Ours didn't but I didn't mind given the location. It was private and had great views of the River," shares Rebeca H.
Clean facilities: Despite being mostly primitive campgrounds, visitors consistently mention maintenance quality. "Very well maintained campgrounds. $25/night or $31 with elec. Very clean restrooms (kudos to the hosts!). The vault toilets are very clean, smell great, have hand sanitizer, and actually have rugs to make them feel more like a real bathroom," notes Mark F. about Upper Coffee Pot.
Night sky viewing: The area's minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions for yurt camping near Dubois, Idaho. "We loved it here so much we stayed 3 extra days. Beautiful night sky. Easy access to the river. So clean. Hosts were the best hosts I have ever encountered," shares Jeremiah H. at Flat Rock Campground.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Several campgrounds in the region provide bear boxes for food storage. At Kelly Island Campground, visitors should utilize these facilities. "Very nice and quaint campground. Smaller tent sites and large double tent or trailer sites. Right on the river, good for fishing. Very clean, even the pit toilet bathroom was clean. Dog friendly and awesome fire pits (clean and not warped racks for grilling)," reports Natasha S.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations require proper planning for yurt and tent campers. "At night the temperature drops dramatically and I recommend bringing a down jacket or just extra layers," advises Phillip L. about camping at Flat Rock Campground.
Seasonal insect conditions: Mosquitoes can be problematic in early summer. "Our camp host told us that the area received about 11' of snow by Jan and when they arrived beg of May, there was still 4' of snow on the ground. The area had a lot of standing water still in June, which bred massive amounts of mosquitos. The first thing the host said to us was his apologies for the mosquitos," shares Andy O. at Buffalo Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water play: Several campgrounds offer safe water access points for children. "My kids loved playing in the lake. It was a great location. Our site was large and shaded by beautiful mature trees. Very helpful and friendly staff/owners," reports Erin H. from Flat Rock.
Location selection strategy: When booking at Snake River RV Park, families should request specific areas. "At first we were not sure about this campground based on location. We were pleasantly surprised! The staff were very friendly and accommodating. The park for the kids was perfect and the pool was open too! Beautiful grounds and close to everything in town," advises Katie H.
Budget-friendly options: National Forest campgrounds offer reduced rates with passes. "Only $5/night with your National Parks Pass. Dog friendly and awesome fire pits. For $8 a night, the campground is very well maintained. You may wake up to the sound of a cattle herd in the area," notes Angela G. about Price Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup planning: Many campgrounds offer limited electrical service options. "I think maybe that just needs to be specified when booking and offering full hookups. The only thing I didn't love was that we had to share an electrical juncture box with our neighbors. So there was one 50 amp and one 30 amp on the box," advises Erin H. about Flat Rock Campground.
Site selection for shade: At Buffalo Campground, strategic site selection can improve comfort. "The sites are large and level, easily accessible. The trees in most sites are very mature and great for shade. If you want shade make sure not to get the first few sites towards the front as they don't have as much shade," recommends Brenda L.
Seasonal access considerations: For those interested in yurt camping in Dubois, Idaho during shoulder seasons, verify road conditions. "We chose this small campground to shelter from the nuttiness of the July 4th holiday weekend. There are only 8 well spaced sites total in the campground and one of those is occupied by the hosts, who take extremely good care of the facilities," notes Randy M. about Grand View Campground.
