C
Chad Q.
Traveler
TravelerSunny Gulch Campground
Close to redfish lake
Nice clean campground with picnic and grill tables, plenty of room between neighbors and several restrooms
Best Campgrounds in Idaho
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Idaho's camping landscape ranges from established campgrounds in state parks to dispersed sites on public lands. Ponderosa State Park near McCall features a peninsula campground with electric hookups and cabin options, while Craters of the Moon National Monument offers the Lava Flow Campground with tent and RV sites. Developed facilities like Camp Coeur D'Alene provide glamping accommodations, while Cauldron Linn offers free dispersed camping on BLM land. Several state parks including Henrys Lake, Bruneau Dunes, and Massacre Rocks maintain campgrounds with varying amenities and reservation requirements.
Many Idaho campgrounds operate seasonally, with peak availability from late May through September. Henrys Lake State Park opens from May to mid-October, while others like Three Island Crossing and Bruneau Dunes remain accessible year-round. Primitive sites generally lack potable water and other amenities during winter months. High-elevation locations may experience snow and freezing temperatures well into spring, limiting accessibility. Campgrounds near water features tend to fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. "Dirt roads with loose gravel but my AWD SUV had no problem towing my 30ft camper up and down to the waters edge," noted one camper about Mackay Reservoir.
Waterfront camping spots receive consistently positive reviews, with locations along rivers and lakes being particularly popular. Several dispersed camping areas near creeks provide more privacy than developed riverfront sites, which tend to fill quickly. As one visitor to North Fork Coeur D'Alene River noted, "The river spots fill up pretty fast, and the creek spots have more privacy." Campgrounds with mountain views also attract attention, with one camper describing "beautiful unobstructed views to the East, South and West" at Redtail Campground in McCroskey State Park. Proximity to attractions like hot springs and hiking trails enhances appeal, though campers should be prepared for variable conditions including mosquitoes and occasional noise from highways or trains at some locations.
Best Camping Sites in Idaho (1,467)
1. Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument
68 ReviewsArco, IDWebsite+1 (208) 527-1335"This is what you would expect in the wilderness of Idaho! A unique location, and an experience worth having!"
"All facilities are closed so it’s just camping and exploring the park which is all within walking distance of the campground. Very friendly ranger working the front! Level sites on pavement."
2. Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed
44 ReviewsMurtaugh, IDWebsite+1 (208) 732-7200"One moment you are driving through farmland. The next moment a canyon appears out of nowhere. There is a beach there are waterfalls and the views are absolutely amazing."
"Serene camping away from most road noise and good spacing from other campers. We visited in early August and the river was low enough that we camped out on the beach."
3. Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday
43 ReviewsWest Yellowstone, MTWebsite+1 (406) 646-7606$35 - $120 / night
"I enjoy all the amenities, the only thing I wish it had was a sewer at the individual sites, but it’s ok because they have a couple within the park located towards the exits."
"9/6/19 Conveniently located, 6 miles from west entrance of park. We had a pull thru site, 45,. Level gravel site."
4. Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park
38 ReviewsMcCall, IDWebsite+1 (208) 634-2164$15 - $40 / night
"Ponderosa is in beautiful McCall, Idaho. Close to downtown and the lake. Great hiking trails. Good park for a family. The campsites are right next to one another, so not much privacy there."
"Great walking path around and down to the lake as well! Quick 10min ride into town for a nice lake side dinner."
5. Massacre Rocks State Park Campground
37 ReviewsRockland, IDWebsite+1 (208) 548-2672"This beautiful state park is located right off of the freeway about 7 miles outside of American Falls, Idaho."
"You definitely want a lower loop site to get away from the freeway noise, plus you will have more shade during peak summer heat."
6. Three Island Crossing State Park Campground
36 ReviewsGlenns Ferry, IDWebsite+1 (208) 366-2394"There is a picnic table and fire ring for having an enjoyable outdoor experience. there is a huge grass open area adjacent to the site which is nice for outdoor sports."
"Long paved with water and electric on one side and the pick-nik table behind us. It has 1 fire ring/grill in a box area. As crowded as the park seems, it’s very quite."
7. Henrys Lake State Park Campground
35 ReviewsIsland Park, IDWebsite+1 (208) 558-7532$60 - $70 / night
"This campground is situation on Henrys Lake and provides amazing views from the campground. There are trails to explore without going too far."
"Save money with the Idaho State Parks Pass. RV and tent camping fishing and boating. I have stayed here numerous times. Cell service spotty but can be achieved."
8. Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground
35 ReviewsBruneau, IDWebsite+1 (208) 366-7919$29 - $39 / night
"Bruneau Dunes State Park is a hidden gem in Idaho just 20 min off I-84 in Idaho not far from Boise."
"If you don't want to leave Idaho but you want to feel like you're in the dessert, this is an awesome place to camp!"
9. Mountain Home RV Park
31 ReviewsMountain Home, IDWebsite+1 (208) 580-1211"Walking distance to Walmart."
"This RV park is a little close to the highway, but was actually very quiet and is close to plenty of recreation. It was super clean, had great showers, and a really lovely staff."
10. Targhee Creek
30 ReviewsWest Yellowstone, MTWebsite"This site is about 20 miles west of Yellowstone in Idaho. Great spot with easy access. Beautiful views and the blue mountains in the distance at sunset make this site a crowd pleaser."
"We originally wanted to stay farther south in Idaho after leaving Jackson but we weren’t happy with the location."
Recent Camping Photos in Idaho
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Recent Reviews in Idaho
4604 Reviews of 1467 Idaho Campgrounds
- CCory S.
ScoutMountain Home RV Park
Awesome rv park
We arrived, checked in and an employee on golf cart drove us to our site. All camp amenities were explained. We are super impressed with the concrete pad, lush green lawn, shade trees and ample space between sites. Quiet, slight road noise from the distance. Took our Good Sam and rate was very reasonable. Would highly recommend !
- CCoq A.
GuideMormon Bend Campground
The Campsite We Almost Missed
Sometimes camping luck is on your side, and Mormon Bend Campground was definitely one of those moments. After staying somewhere else the night before, we headed out early hoping to find a spot for a three-night stay. While stopping to use the restroom, I noticed someone packing up and asked if they were leaving. They said yes and told us we should take their site. What a lucky find!
We ended up in Site 9, and it was absolutely perfect. We could walk right from our campsite down to the river, where we had our own little private access point to relax, play in the water, and spend the day enjoying the scenery. I wish we had fishing gear as the river was flowing.
Evening happy hour by the river quickly became our favorite routine. The campsite was surrounded by trees, felt fairly private, and was exactly the type of peaceful setting we love.
The hosts were wonderful, and the bathrooms were clean and well maintained.
The best entertainment came in the evenings when bald eagles flew overhead, watching the river and looking for their dinner. It was such a special experience and one of those camping moments you don't forget.
We were genuinely sad to leave and would absolutely stay here again. If Site 9 isn't available, other sites worth checking out are 7, 14, and 15. The rate was$22 per night, which felt like a great value for such a beautiful location. This campground was one of the highlights of our trip, sometimes the best spots are the ones you find by chance.
- CCoq A.Guide
Salmon River Campground
Not the Scenic Site, But It Did the Job
We stopped at Salmon River Campground for one night and found it to be a decent place to rest while traveling through the area. A note for fellow campers: although some websites mention this campground as being free, it is not. We paid$22 per night for our stay. The campground listing says sites are first come, first served, but we heard from other campers that some of the riverfront sites can actually be reserved online, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re hoping for a spot along the water. We arrived around 3:00 p.m. and managed to get the very last available site—Site 24. It wasn’t on the river, but rather in the overflow area across the road. While it wasn’t the most scenic location(more roadside than we usually prefer), it was surprisingly quiet overnight and worked perfectly fine for a quick stay.
We never met the campground host, but we did see him driving around regularly and checking on the sites, which was a nice touch. The bathrooms could have used a little more attention, but overall the campground was perfectly adequate for a one-night stop. Not our favorite campground of the trip, but it served its purpose and would be a reasonable option if you need a place to stay while exploring the Salmon River area. Next time we would try to get a spot on the river.
- CCoq A.Guide
Sugarloaf Campground — Lake Cascade State Park
A Last-Minute Find That Turned Into a Favorite
After driving around Lake Cascade searching for a campsite with no luck, most campgrounds were either full or just weren't our vibe, we stumbled upon Sugarloaf Campground around 5:00 p.m. What a great surprise!
While it's a bit larger than the campgrounds we usually prefer, it quickly won us over. The campground host was incredibly friendly, the campsites were clean and well maintained, and the bathrooms were spotless(though there are no showers). It's also just a short walk down to the lake, making it easy to enjoy the shoreline whenever you like.
One of our favorite touches was the collection of adorable birdhouses lining the entrance road; they added so much charm to the campground. We also loved all the wildlife. There were plenty of beautiful birds, grazing cattle wandering near the beaches, and we even spotted deer walking through the campground. We stayed in Site 70, which worked well for a last-minute reservation. If we return and we definitely plan to, we'd probably choose one of the sites in the 40s, as they seemed a bit more private and farther from the campground entrance. Overall, Sugarloaf was a wonderful surprise and somewhere we'd happily stay again.
- CCoq A.Guide
Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground
Beautiful Campsites, Epic Skies, and One Slithery Surprise
We stayed at Eagle Cove Campground in Bruneau Dunes State Park and had a really nice experience overall. Park staff was really fantastic - Ms. Carla was lovely. If you're booking, I'd recommend sites 78 or 80 - both are surrounded by beautiful mature trees that provide a little extra privacy and welcome shade.
The campsites were clean and well maintained, and one of the biggest perks was that the campground bathrooms have free hot showers, which were especially appreciated after a hot day. One word of caution: we did find a snake in the bathroom, so it's worth taking a quick look around before heading inside. It's part of camping, but definitely an unexpected surprise!
We didn't make it out to explore the dunes because temperatures were extremely hot during our stay. Even so, the evening made up for it. The sunset was beautiful, and we were treated to an incredible electrical storm that lit up the sky from a safe distance, a memorable end to the day. Overall, it's a peaceful campground with spacious, clean sites and great amenities. We'd happily stay here again, just maybe during a cooler time of year so we can explore the dunes.
Ed M.ScoutLava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument
Good fcfs availability nice selection of sites clean bathrooms
Pulled in early afternoon on a Sunday and had the choice of almost every spot. Well organized sites that can fit various set-ups. Limited shade options. Cell reception spotty.
- GGregg T.
RangerArrowrock Reservoir Dispersed
Great water 1
Town ( Idaho City)is expensive, so come prepared. I did find a deal there for firewood. The gas station great price per stick. Okay, my dog loved the water, even though she only gets in to her chest. With 100+ degree days it was necessary. Really only one tight spot...don't make boats back up. The lake has retreated(water released to keep lake full) don't park boats to close to shore at night. Lost about 50' so far.
- GGregg T.Ranger
Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed
Great water 1
Town ( Idaho City)is expensive, so come prepared. I did find a deal there for firewood. The gas station great price per stick. Okay, my dog loved the water, even though she only gets in to her chest. With 100+ degree days it was necessary. There's one really tight place by the damn, but still be careful on the drive in. Lots of busy on the weekends.
Guide to Idaho
Camping in Idaho offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, outdoor activities, and a chance to unwind in nature. Whether you're looking for hot springs, riverside spots, or mountain views, Idaho has something for everyone.
What to do
- Explore Hot Springs: Many campgrounds, like Bonneville, are close to hot springs. One camper said, “The hottest pools are close to the cascades, coolest are near the river.”
- Hiking and Biking: Campgrounds like Iron Creek provide access to popular trails. A visitor noted, “You are far away from the main road so no road noise but sometimes hikers will accidentally drive through the campground loop.”
- Fishing and Water Sports: At Stanley Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and other water activities. One reviewer mentioned, “Incredible views from about half of the sites.”
What campers like
- Scenic Views: Campers rave about the breathtaking scenery. One camper at Sockeye Campground said, “Clean quiet campground. Plenty of great spots to choose from.”
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many campgrounds, like North Fork Campground, are known for their peaceful settings. A visitor shared, “It’s a quiet place. It is dusty. The camp host was awesome.”
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. A review for Salmon River Campground noted, “Cleanest vault toilets ever. Asphalt roads and sites in good condition.”
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds do not have electric hookups or showers. A camper at Pine Flats mentioned, “The site has no hookups, but is paved and easily navigated.”
- Wildlife Awareness: Be bear aware, especially in areas like Iron Creek. One visitor cautioned, “Be bear aware. There was snow this visit.”
- Reservation Recommendations: Some popular spots fill up quickly. A camper at Sunny Gulch Campground advised, “Plan ahead. I came on a Monday afternoon in mid-July and got the last site available.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with nearby activities. At Stanley Lake Campground, a reviewer said, “The lake and mountains are so beautiful.”
- Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets for chilly nights. A camper at Iron Creek noted, “Even in the summer, nights drop into the 30s.”
- Engage in Outdoor Activities: Encourage kids to explore nature. One family at Sockeye Campground enjoyed, “Gorgeous views. Any kind of water sports you crave.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A visitor at Iron Creek mentioned, “The road to get back to the campsite is pretty rough, but if you have a higher clearance vehicle it would be okay.”
- Plan for Limited Services: Be prepared for no cell service in many areas. A camper at North Fork Campground said, “Zero cell reception from ATT, Verizon or TMobile.”
- Bring Your Own Water: Some campgrounds do not have water hookups. A reviewer at Pine Flats noted, “There is drinking water via spigot at a few locations.”
Idaho camping is an adventure waiting to happen, with plenty of options for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits do I need for camping in Idaho's national forests?
What permits do I need for camping in Idaho's national forests?
Most Idaho national forests require a recreation pass for day use areas, but overnight camping typically requires separate permits. In the Targhee National Forest, campgrounds like Grand View Campground (Targhee NF) charge around $18/night with no additional permits needed. For dispersed camping on BLM land and many national forests, no permits are required, but there's typically a 14-day stay limit. Some areas like Swan Falls - Idaho Power have established spots on BLM land that don't require permits. Always check with the specific forest district office before your trip, as permit requirements can vary by location and season.
When is the best season for tent camping in Idaho?
When is the best season for tent camping in Idaho?
Late spring through early fall (mid-May to mid-September) offers the best tent camping conditions in Idaho, with summer being peak season. Pettit Lake Campground in the Sawtooth area provides excellent summer camping with access to hiking trails and lake activities. At higher elevations like Henrys Lake State Park Campground, the prime season is shorter (June-August) due to cooler temperatures. Fall brings beautiful colors but cooler nights. Many campgrounds close for winter, though some remain open with limited facilities. Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms in summer and potentially frosty nights in late spring and early fall.
What are the best campgrounds in Idaho for first-time visitors?
What are the best campgrounds in Idaho for first-time visitors?
Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park near McCall is perfect for first-timers with its proximity to town, lake access, hiking trails, and family-friendly atmosphere. While campsites are close together, the location and clean facilities make it an ideal starting point. Smoky Mountain Campground — Castle Rocks State Park offers another excellent option with well-maintained facilities and proximity to both Castle Rocks State Park and City of Rocks National Preserve. For those seeking a quieter experience, Iron Mountain Campground in Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park provides beautiful views of the Palouse region with fewer crowds.
Where can I find free dispersed camping spots in Idaho?
Where can I find free dispersed camping spots in Idaho?
Idaho offers abundant free dispersed camping opportunities on BLM and national forest lands. Herrick Reservoir Access provides free camping with a 10-day limit, though be careful to respect private property boundaries and watch for signage. The area around Swan Falls offers dispersed camping on BLM land, though it's more established than truly primitive. Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed is another free option. When dispersed camping in Idaho, always follow Leave No Trace principles, camp in previously used sites at least 200 feet from water sources, and check local regulations as some areas may have fire restrictions or seasonal closures.
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