Best Dispersed Camping near Gooding, ID

Recent Dispersed Reviews near Gooding, Idaho

83 Reviews of 15 Gooding Campgrounds

• 

  Amber R.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 19, 2022

  Little Camas Reservoir

  A pleasant place for a stop along the way

  Perfect for an overnight stop during a long drive. The access road also serves residential property some distance away so is well maintained. The primitive camping spots are close enough to the highway to make it a quick drive but far enough away to buffer most noise from passing traffic. Even though the landscape seems sparse there was very active wildlife during our stay, with many species of birds throughout the night and a chorus of coyotes at one point. The water level was really low, which would probably inhibit launching larger water craft, but the reservoir still provided a peaceful atmosphere. There definitely isn't any nearby wood for fires so people do need to bring in their own.

• 

  CY Park 장.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 11, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Free, or Luxurious???

  Wonderful place for free camping, even better than some dirt but with 20bucks over....

• 

  Syd S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 13, 2023

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Great spot

  Excellent dispersed camping nice spaced out spots. Can hike along the river. Overall really liked this spot

• 

  Greg D.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 9, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Clean, convenient and free!

  It’s hard to believe this place is free. Nicer than some National Forest campgrounds with the same amenities. Pit toilets and that’s it. The toilets were clean and the one by our site even had a light on! It was a quiet stay and convenient to see Shoshone Falls, and resupply at Costco or Walmart just to the north in Jerome. Don’t skip the scenic overlooks at the bridge on highway 93, beautiful views, and we even watched a couple base jumpers there

• 

  Alissa D.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 21, 2024

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Pretty Area - Felt Uneasy

  In the summer when the area is busier I think we would have love this more. Happy we were able to find free camping in this area. It’s a recreation area, so when we arrived we saw some in the distance fishing and another person bike riding. We were the only ones camping, and there was some unknown activities of others who came and went that we were unsure of. We would have felt better if someone else was camping somewhere. Nothing happened though and it was a cool spot. Definitely think when other campers are around this would be a great spot!

• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 7, 2021

  Little Camas Reservoir

  Dry and Serene

  This is a nice area for dispersed camping.  No water in the reservoir at this time (early September).  Very few other people around, even on labor day weekend, and the area was so quiet and serene.

  We stayed along the western side of the reservoir, and there's are little loops you can take in off of 160 to find a spot.  The path was relatively narrow and our class c made it fine, but you could hear the sides brushing along the sage.

  Watch for wasps, especially around the bathroom.  We didn't see any wildlife, but heard coyotes in the night.

  It was hard to find a level spot, so we just ended up moving next to the bathroom since we were only there for the night.

  Good cell service with all 3 carriers.

• 

  Kathryn D.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 10, 2024

  Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed

  Creekside!

  Delightful creekside free campsites! Turn at the BLM sign and take a little gravel road to several free creekside spots! There are at least two pit toilets, one at a spot with two picnic tables, each has a great shade, fire pit, and a place for a camp stove! One has a flat raised gravel spot for a tent, which was good because we actually saw a couple mice. The second pit toilet was further down the road at a more separated spot, it looked like it was ADA accessible and also had a picnic table, etc. Close enough to Carey to get gas/ice. Only giving it 4 stars because of the mice (pack out your own trash guys! It isn’t hard!) and the complete lack of trees, the covers over the picnic tables did proved shade, but it still got crazy hot.

• G

  Gary P.

  Scout

  

  Jan. 9, 2025

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Great free BLM camp sites

  Ricketts BLM RV Camp just north of Twin Falls. This fee-free primitive BLM camp offers 2 vault toilets (in case you did not bring own) and 13 level RV parking pads, each with a picnic table and fire ring, but no electric or water hook-ups. There is also equestrian and overflow parking if needed.

  https://maps.app.goo.gl/51EUdaokGV8zyEdB9

• 

  Kelly D.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 2, 2022

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Cauldron Linn- BLM

  The BLM Cauldron Linn camp site is breath taking. The drive out and down takes awhile but damn is it worth it! Bring everything you need because it is complete nature. I wouldn’t recommend taking anything longer than 22’ out here, twisty curves. Have some new art on my rig.

• L

  Laurin

  Scout

  

  Apr. 8, 2024

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Hidden Gem Along a Roadtrip

  We found this spot last minute, late in the afternoon while on a multi day drive. Lots of spots, though we had the place to our on a Sunday night, early April.

  Great little trail along the river and falls. Perfect after a long day of driving. The area was super clean (lets all continue this!) and beautiful.

  If you do not have a car for high clearance (a Subaru would do fine) just use the upper two camp spots.

  Our dogs loved it:)

• c

  camfam

  Scout

  

  Jul. 18, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Conveient overnight stay with minimal fuss, bathrooms and good sized spots

  Snake River Canyons Park- Rickett's RV Camp offers a peaceful and convenient location for an overnight stay. The campsites are mostly clean and equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. While the area is quite dry, it provides a safe and hassle-free experience. Nothing fancy. The Sherrif did a drive through at dusk(a feature I like) and the camp filled up before the sun had set. The availability of basic amenities such as pit toilets and horse corrals adds to the convenience of the site. If you're looking for a quick overnight stay this is a great spot that is pretty much a free campsite complete with a site host.

• 

  reina L.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 30, 2024

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  encampment

  Beautiful spots and surrounding area. We sadly had to turn around because of a sketchy looking encampment. We did report to BLM so hopefully this spot will be more approachable in the future!

• 

  Mike E.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 6, 2021

  Ice Cave Boondock - Dispersed BLM Camping

  Gravel road turnout near Shoshone Ice Cave Idaho

  This site is across the highway from the entrance to the Shoshone Ice Cave attraction on highway 75. If you are heading north on 75, turn right at the gift shop on the right side of the road. Proceed down the gravel road east and make a left at the first curve to the left. Right after the curve, you'll see a small concrete bridge on the right that crosses the canal. Park in the open area just across the canal. You are between the canal and the Big Wood river which is dry in the summer months. What's nice about this spot is privacy and isolation. It's a great spot near both Shoshone Ice Cave and Just a few miles from Mammoth Cave. The site is next to an old lava flow which is incredible to see and explore. Wildlife we saw includes deer and owls, wood peckers and many other birds.

  There's a couple bars of Verizon here. Nice hiking and exploring the river bottom and some water-carved rocks. Just a few miles north on 75 is Black Magic Canyon which has some larger more impressive water carved rocks. You can hike the stream bed. There is an information sign  about this at the intersection of 75 and Black Magic Road. Be careful as the water agencies can release water anytime. They suggest you call before hiking the stream bed. By the way - free RV dump station in the town of Shoshone 16 mile south.

• A

  Andrew M.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 19, 2023

  Little Camas Reservoir

  Quiet and peaceful

  This is a clearly dispersed location. There is a single pit toilet. Camped right next to the lake. Lots of bugs being close to water but seemingly few mosquitoes

• 

  Jeremiah J.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 8, 2023

  Frank C Jones King Hill Area

  Chill spot

  Nice open and secluded area with decent camping options. Pulled in around midnight and saw about 3 other cars but room enough for twice that. The lower area is not too far down a little dirt/gravel drive that ends next to the river. There’s a second more brushy road off to the left that ends in a secluded spot but no toilet. Decent vault toilet by the river, but didn’t see a water spigot for drinking water. Only thing is no at&t service, and the train tracks are across the river but it never blew its horn and was just a rare low rumble. With ear plugs I didn’t hear it at all. Would stay here again!

• 

  Ryan L.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 15, 2016

  Little Camas Reservoir

  Simplicity

  This is a very simple campsite with access to the reservoir. There isn't much shade. If the lake holds water for a couple of years, the fishing can be great.

• F

  Fenya S.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 30, 2024

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Tent camping

  Beautiful camp site super easy to access, we got by fine without 4WD. Unfortunately people have kind of trashed some of the sites there was broken glass and lots of other litter

• C

  CJ

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 16, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Free Dispersed Camping

  This site is Free and easy to find, and not too far off the main road. There are a dozen or so marked sites with their own tables and fire pits. This site is surrounded by trails used for ATVs and Bikes. It also has one bathroom on site. No Hookups.

  I stayed there for a night in April of 2024 while passing through and it was a convenient and hassle-free location. Decent Cell service

  Here is additional info on the site: 

  https://freecampsites.net/#!267314&query=sitedetails

  Note: This site seems like it is relatively new and still undergoing construction/expansion so some details may vary from the time of this report.

• 

  Beth M.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 25, 2024

  Frank C Jones King Hill Area

  Easy and Free

  Pretty, small area with a boat launch. No services were open in April, but parking was available and free. There is enough Verizon cell signal to text, but not to stream.

• M

  Melanie

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 24, 2024

  Little Camas Reservoir

  Quiet night by the water

  Fairly easy access off US 20. There is open grazing so we did have cattle close to our campsite by morning. Tons of bugs but not many mosquitoes. Quiet and not many others. T-Mobile worked well. There was some in/out movement around 5:30 am but as an early riser I wasn't disturbed.

• M

  Mike

  Guide

  

  May. 20, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Nice overnight spot

  Nice campground with 13 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. There is also 2 pit toilets. Only stayed one night on our way to Oregon. There is a 5 night limit. Would stay here again if in the area. About 5 empty spots when we pulled in on a Sunday evening. There is also 3 horse corrals if looking for a place to ride.

• K

  Kevin C.

  Guide

  

  May. 15, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Excellent one nighter traveling

  As previously posted, about a dozen sites with no hookups. I was in the process of moving across country and exhausted. I loved that this place was close enough to town that I didn’t have to cook. Haha. If you’re an atv or mtb type, tons to do here. But if you’re looking for scenery, all you will find in this campsite is the occasional amazing sunset which I was lucky enough to catch. ;-)

• 

  Jarom B.

  Traveler

  

  May. 30, 2023

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Great free camping

  There are only a few spots that I saw, and it’s first come first serve. There’s a river that a few people were fishing in, and a bank with plenty of space to hang out. The campsites are nicely spaced out so your not right next to anyone. There’s no designated trail that I could see, but there were some great areas for hiking and climbing.

• B

  Brooke C.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 24, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Lots of room, spacious!

  Showed up late October around 6. It’s quiet, just out of town and there are toilets places I guess (didn’t use) and a fire pit by my site. Didn’t use either. Cold (34* last night) rainy, super windy, but felt safe and free is great 😊

• 

  Annie C.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 26, 2019

  Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed

  Solitude alone Silver Creek, wish I fished

  I lucked into stumbling upon this single site campsite along silver creek. I’m not a fisherwoman, but apparently there is some good fishing in the creek. What I loved about this site was that there was only the one site here, with a clean-ish vault toilet(it was getting close to needed a pump out). No traffic sounds, no campground noise, just the creek and the birds and cicadas and a visit from some mule deer. There was a nice picnic table and a tent pad, and, although there was no where to get firewood, a fire pit and grill. I didn’t see any evidence of fish guts, so I am guessing any fishermen would clean their fish in the creek(?). The next morning as I was leaving the area I found 2 more sites that were more developed with a large gravel parking/turnaround and pavilion covered picnic tables that were handicap accessible. But I am glad I camped where I did for the solitude, just me, Silver Creek, some mule deer, and the cicadas and birds.

• k

  kevin T.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 1, 2016

  Little Camas Reservoir

  Little camas

  This is an old fashion site where everything is really old but still usable. This has been used by many campers over the years. You can tell from the wear on the site. The picnic table has a lot of names carved in. The bright side to this site is that it is free.

• M

  Mark

  Traveler

  

  Jan. 17, 2021

  Little Camas Reservoir

  A forgotten gem

  We camped here in June 2020. There are clean vault toilets but not much else. The reservoir was practically empty. There were not picnic tables and the roads off the main road were not maintained. It was hard to tell if there were campsites there at all, but there were fire rings so we pulled in next to one and set up. One other camper came in later and set up down by the lake, but otherwise it was really quiet. Nice place to get away from everyone during a pandemic.