Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Horseshoe Bend? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. Find dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots from other campers.
Overview: Willow Creek Campground is located along the Middle Fork of the Boise River Forest Service (FS) road 268 and the north end of the Arrowrock Reservior. There are 9 campsites at the campground. A stay at the campground enables guests to enjoy all the beauty and recreation offered along the river and reservoir. Weather is usually good from mid-May through late September and is easily accessible by car in good weather, although the road is sometimes rough and the drive can be seemingly long. Checking with the District on road conditions before heading out is recommended. Natural Features: Wildlife watchers may want to look for deer and elk. Waterfowl, eagles and osprey are attracted to the river. Recreation: There are several trails in the area including trail #189 beginning near Cottonwood Campground, leading to Bald Mountain Peak. Check the Idaho City Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for trails in the area that are open to hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and off-road vehicles. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety message. The Middle Fork Boise River and Arrowrock Reservoir offer excellent trout fishing and good swimming holes. Big game hunting is a popular activity in season.
Within the national forests, the majority of land is open for “dispersed camping”, outside of developed campgrounds. These locations are usually wide spots off of forest roads, with no facilities provided, such as water, bathrooms or tables. Many people enjoy the solitude of camping away from developed campgrounds. Follow these guidelines to ensure that these areas can be enjoyed safely by you, and future generations.
Overview: The Ice Springs Campground has 3 campsites on Fall Creek near the Anderson Ranch Reservoir. The reservoir is a popular destination for fishing, boating, waterskiing and riding personal watercraft. It is also has good smallmouth bass and kokanee fishing. This area had a major wildfire in 2012 and conditions may have altered. There is a nearby trailhead at Camp Creek, south, to the end of Forest Service (FS) road 128, which heads north past Dog Mountain, all the way to Horse Ranch Mountain, about 17 miles. A shorter hike can be done by setting up a shuttle at Bear Hole Trailhead, north on FS road 129.
Guide
Nice lil spot to relax . Really rough road is the only bad part
Traveler
About an hour off the highway, 7 miles of which are washboard-bumpy gravel roads along the lake cliffside (Had to drive under 10mph those last 7 miles). We were in an AWD sprinter van, and the road conditions definitely put a damper on the night. Site is right on the water gorgeous once you’re there. The stars were incredible. Toilet on site but the flies were swarming.
TravelerWe parked right beside the river, and it was absolutely gorgeous. However, I don't recommend taking a car on this road. It's definitely an ATV road as it's very rough.
GuideThere are many group sites and single sites. Many sites own a corner turn. Also your entire campsite will be visible to every car passing. There are other sites on the other side of the road that are more private. Be wary the road is very dangerous getting in. Take it slow.
Some people park their trailers at lake front but beware of the dune sand , you might get stuck.
I love being able to jump into the lake and ride my bike along the lake.
T
GuideBad roads, high tension wires crackled with electricity, and a lot of traffic on the main road.
Traveler
A variety of free and dispersed sites, most of them with rock campfire rings, near a nice shallow creek. A fair amount of RV and ATV traffic but still feels pretty secluded. No bathrooms or anything like that but it's only a 3 minute drive from Idaho City.
TravelerWas fairly trashed campground. Cleaned up two trash bags full of garbage. Random shoes, shell casing and mysterious empty glass containers.
GuideFree camping among the sparsely located pine trees. Great views of the water and mountains. Vault toilet nearby.
TravelerRode in on my GS fully packed and as previously reviewed it was a bumpy road from the dam but not difficult. I was the only one here but the neighboring site had a couple people. Very quiet location. Happy I didn’t stop at hotel as it was getting near dark as I rode in and wasn’t sure what to expect. If I’m ever passing through Boise again I’ll be stopping back here for the layover. Also, a toilet was available. That was unexpected.
GuideWe drove way past Lucky Peak Res until we saw trees. There are 2 pull offs here with lots of spots to camp. There are lots of firepits around the area and water access. Cool spot.
Legend
If you are a fan of motorized vehicles and access to lots of off road adventure, this would be a great campground for you. I like quiet tent camping, hence the 3 star rating, others might rate it higher. We were here in the fall and there were a lot of hunters staying here. We did see some road hunting so be careful if you are out here during hunting season.
ScoutSuper great spot that is close to town - pro's and con's are already covered and i agree - especially packing out more than you pack in as trash spoils the appeal. Driving a large bed camper isn't so bad but is slower for sure and the narrow spots can be sketchy with multi-vehicle with trailers meeting there. I like the shoulder seasons best - wish i had a boat to add additional fun. Your results might vary but I've had nothing but fun in the area.
TravelerThis was a super fun spot to go play in the water for the day. Only thing I would change is the fact that there is no shade. The weather wasn’t great so while camping at night, it was crazy windy which was rough haha. Also, there were people blasting loud music until super late, but otherwise this is a nice spot.
ScoutI thought it was beautiful here. There are places to barbecue and have a fire and there is a river right below the camp sites. Very quiet.
TravelerAwesome place! Like some of the others said, drive in could be a bit sketchy it you’re towing or have a large vehicle - but we passed plenty of boats/RV’s, just have to go slow. There’s multiple spaces and if you’re not too specific about being near the water, you can have some decent privacy.
GuideWe camped at Irish Point at Arrowhead's designated dispersed camping area. The road around the reservoir is pretty tight, though that doesn't discourage long trailers and toy haulers. We're pretty self-contained so didn't miss any usual camp ground amenities. Our neighbors were sparse and quiet and we enjoyed the peace of this area.
TravelerDeer carcasses and no toilet. The campground is used by hunters in RVs/trailers. The place was rancid, we did not stay here.
ScoutGets busy in the summer
GuideMe and boyfriend enjoy going here in the fall and spring to get away from the city for a day or two. There is hiking right across the street. Mt Heinen which is a very strenous hike. Its over 9 miles(up and back) and over a 3,000 ft gain so be prepared if you try to tackle this summit. Anyways, the campground has some fire pits but no picnic tables. There are a few trees for shade. One part of this campground that confuses me is that there use to be a small outhouse in summer of 2018 but when I came in 2019 in march and April there was not one? When we come in the fall and spring theres no one other than us there. In the summer it does get quite a few people there. Also it gets super hot in the summertime so be sure to bring plenty of water. Good thing is you can take a dip in the cold reservoir to cool off. There's no trash services so pack it in and pack it out. A lot of people come here to party and leave trash around so i make it a point to pick it up. Please don't be those people to ruin a beautiful free spot. 💚
GuideBe careful as the drive is a little sketchy. The water is clean and there is tons of beach area! Bring the kayaks and get paddling!
TravelerSo hot and no shade. If it were not close to the water you may not have a way to beat the heat. It was beyond crowded and hard to find a secluded spot to camp away from others. Only pro is its close to town and you can swim, fish, and boat.
TravelerArrowrock is a great and easy weekend get away. It’s only about 1.5 hours from Boise. It can get very crowded on holidays and weekends though so try to arrive early. Most people just camp out on the beach wherever you can find space. If you have a boat you can put it in the water right off the beach and camp next to it.
GuideHonestly one of the best places close to the city. Far enough away that you still get out of service, a good view of the stars, a swim, and some magnificent overall views. Nothing like waking up here. 40 minutes from downtown Boise
GuideArrowrock Reservoir is a decent place to camp. The drive there is long and slow-going along a washboard dirt road, but the best part is that this spot is usually uncrowded, which is nice when you are looking for some quiet solitude. It's a steep hike down to the water in the reservoir, but not too bad. The camp sites are nice and have some pine trees, but other than that, the landscape is very desert-y.
Camping near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, has its ups and downs, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time enjoying the outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Horseshoe Bend, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Horseshoe Bend, ID is Boise National Forest Willow Creek Campground (Mountain Home) with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Horseshoe Bend, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Horseshoe Bend, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
