Dispersed camping opportunities near Firth, Idaho extend across several Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas within a 45-minute drive. Situated in the high desert region at approximately 4,500 feet elevation, these sites experience temperature swings of 30-40°F between day and night, even in summer months. Most sites lack formal amenities but offer varying degrees of accessibility depending on seasonal conditions and vehicle capability.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Snake River Dispersed camping provides direct river access for fishing enthusiasts. "Nice BLM area right next to the Snake River and only 10 minutes from Shelley," notes Abner H. about Snake River Dispersed.
Hiking trails: The lava fields near several camping areas offer unique geological exploration. At Lava Hiking Trailhead, visitors find "easy access to the lava field (Hells Half Acre) hiking trails," according to Abner H., who adds that the access from US 20 "is gravel and easily accessible for all vehicles with several large turnouts that can be camped at."
Wildlife viewing: The rolling hills and river corridors support diverse wildlife watching opportunities. At Wolf Flats Recreation Area, Jamie C. reports, "We stayed near the cliff where we watched marmots and foxes along the rocks."
What campers like
River proximity: Many campers appreciate waterfront sites for cooling off during hot weather. At Wolf Flats Recreation Area, Emma T. notes "Lots of great options to camp along the river!" while Quinn Z. states, "The river is refreshing and nice to watch."
Seclusion and quiet: Despite proximity to highways, several areas offer peaceful settings. At Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping, Dana V. comments that "the spaces are spread out a nice distance so that we aren't right next to our neighbors," and Mike E. adds there was "no freeway noise" during their November visit.
Night skies: Dark skies make stargazing excellent at most sites. Colin C. notes Indian Rocks provides a "clear unobstructed view of sky for my Starlink," while cell reception varies across locations with Abner H. reporting at Lava Hiking Trailhead that "Starlink has an unobstructed view of the sky with a 226.6Mbps download speed."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many access roads require careful driving. For Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site, Erin H. advises, "Road in is a little washboard and hilly, but doable. I15 underpass... we're 13'8" on truck & cleared both with no issues. Definitely recommend dropping your rig in the parking lot and scouting out this area 1st."
Seasonal traffic: Summer months bring increased visitor numbers and varied use patterns. At Wolf Flats, Kevin C. observed "it was very busy with lots of campers but there were still camp sites available near the vaulted toilet" even during Memorial Day weekend.
Livestock encounters: Some areas have active grazing. At Fall Creek dispersed, Rick W. warns, "Cows, cows not just passing thru, they are in the valley with you all the time," and Karson M. echoes this at pebble road dispersed camping, saying you "have to contend with an army of cows."
Tips for camping with families
Stream play areas: Several sites offer child-friendly water access. Jessica at Fall Creek dispersed mentions "several spots have nice access to a stream that runs through that area which was great to play in with my pup!"
Site spacing: Choose areas with adequate distance between campers. Dana V. appreciates that at Indian Rocks "the spaces are spread out a nice distance so that we aren't right next to our neighbors."
Noise considerations: Some areas experience vehicle traffic. At Wolf Flats, johny R. cautions that "locals using the boat access fly down the road in trucks as fast as they can and will leave your stuff covered in dust. Traffic does down at night but starts up early."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require careful positioning for larger rigs. Jesse W. notes about McTucker Ponds Park, "There is no place to level out your 34 ft RV."
Turnaround space: Check site dimensions before committing to a spot. Jesse W. at Snake River Dispersed reports, "I have a 35 foot motorhome and I have plenty of space to turn around and find parking towards the back."
Campsite selection: At Blackrock Canyon, Aly D. advises, "the right is for camping, while the left is day use only," helping RVers avoid potential conflicts with day visitors.
Access points: Some sites have specific entry requirements. Angela M. notes that Snake River Dispersed has a "dirt road with easy access goes to a wide open gravel area but opportunities to be right next to the river with an AWD vehicle."
