Tent campsites near Harrison, Idaho range from remote lakeside spots to forest clearings with trail access. Most camping areas sit at elevations between 2,100-4,500 feet with significant seasonal variations. Harrison's camping zones frequently experience temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night during summer months, requiring proper preparation even during warm seasons.
What to do
Fishing alpine lakes: Lake Elsie Campground provides direct shoreline fishing access with multiple campers reporting consistent catches. "We always catch lots of brooke and rainbow trout and wild life is everywhere," notes Jessica C., who camps at Lake Elsie regularly. The water remains cold even in summer due to spring-fed sources.
Hiking forest trails: Giant White Pine Campground connects to several hiking routes suitable for day trips. "I found a really nice hiking trail near the campsite and spent most of the day exploring the surrounding areas," reports Megan K. The trails vary in difficulty with limited elevation change compared to higher mountain areas.
Water activities: Mica Bay Boater Park offers swimming, fishing, and water sports options from shore or dock access. "Big bay for tubing or swimming, close enough to downtown for gas and dinner, plus ice cream. Bald eagles and Osprey fighting for fish," explains camper TBone. The bay provides calmer waters than open lake areas.
What campers like
Secluded locations: Extraordinary Camping provides private camping with minimal neighbor contact. "It is a very nice place to camp, since there probably won't be any people outside your own group. The owner was very responsive to texts and was helpful with all of my questions," reports Ethan V. The site requires advance booking.
Easy lake access: Multiple sites at Lake Elsie allow camping within feet of the water. "Awesome lake for kayaking and paddle boarding," notes Nathan M. Sites circle the lake with varying proximity to shoreline depending on water levels.
Hammock-friendly sites: Giant White Pine Campground features properly spaced trees for hammock setup. "I really like this campground for hammock camping. I had no trouble finding just the right spot to set up my gear," shares Megan K. The site spacing accommodates different camping styles.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to several campgrounds requires navigating unpaved forest roads. "The road up to the lake is really rough and narrow but manageable with a proper vehicle," explains Diadra G. about Lake Elsie Campground. Most access roads remain unplowed during winter months.
Limited services: Tingley Spring and many backcountry sites operate without utilities or facilities. "Bring all your camping supplies, as there are not services like water, which is just how we like them," states Megan K. Cell service becomes non-existent beyond main highways.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise issues. "If you are not into ATV and dirt bike riding, I would not recommend. Other campers were riding their bikes all day and night making it very loud, especially with the echos off the lake," warns Natalie J. about Lake Elsie. Highway-adjacent sites also experience traffic noise.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mica Bay Boater Park includes family-friendly amenities rare among area campgrounds. "Great camping spot for families or anyone! Swing sets and slide for youngsters, horseshoe pit (when camp host is present), for older kids, large grass field for frisbee or football," notes TBone. The facilities remain seasonal.
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity occurs regularly at certain campgrounds. "Multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart," cautions Natalie J. about Lake Elsie. Food storage containers become essential during summer months.
Water safety: Lakes around Harrison feature variable temperatures and depths. Killarney Lake includes "marshy shallow areas" according to Megan K., while other water bodies maintain year-round cold temperatures even during summer heat.
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Many tent camping areas near Harrison restrict larger vehicles. "ROAD IS NARROW, WINDY, AND STEEP. Not at all trailer or big rig friendly," warns lili G. about Lake Elsie Campground. Most forest roads leading to remote campsites cannot accommodate trailers longer than 16 feet.
Parking constraints: Breakwater Campground has limited vehicle access to most camping locations. "Downside is that there is limited vehicle access to most spots," notes Lane P. This requires hauling gear from parking areas to actual tent sites at many locations.
Alternative options: When primary destinations prove unreachable, flexibility helps. "No Reception! We didn't find it since there is no reception anywhere nearby and ended up at Bumblebee. If you head toward Breakwater though, there are several other free spots to camp," shares Dusty W. Forest roads often contain unmarked dispersed sites.
