Best Tent Camping near Horseshoe Bend, ID

Tent Camping Reviews near Horseshoe Bend, ID

443 Reviews of 33 Horseshoe Bend Campgrounds

• 

  Anna W.

  Traveler

  Jul. 7, 2019

  Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground

  Nice little campground. Small sites.

  Bad Bear is a nice little campsite outside of Idaho City. The sites are good size with adequate privacy. There is lots of tree cover for shade during those warm summer days, and a babbling brook at the back of the campground. Each site had a picnic table, fire ring, and there is a well for water and a vault toilet. We enjoyed our stay here, mostly because there wasn't anyone else camping in the campground when we were there in mid-July! Score! We grabbed the big site, but the other sites seemed a bit small. Would recommend for a easy campsite close to Idaho City and just a quick little jaunt from Boise.

• C

  Christine

  Guide

  Feb. 4, 2021

  Celebration Park

  Everything a campground should be

  Celebration Park is the perfect campground for basic boondocking (with bathrooms). It is remote and wild with non-stop views from every site and many outdoor activities nearby. At the entrance to the campground, there is a visitors center, many picnic tables, fire rings, an interpretive walk, and access to the riverfront. This is where the bathrooms are containing a single sink, electrical outlet and two toilets. No showers are available. The bathroom was exceptionally clean when I stayed there. The park adjoins BLM land. There are no hookups for power, water or sewer. Potable water is accessed from the bathrooms and spigots near the entrance. The camping area goes on for at least 1/4 mile along the river and more sites are away from the water. 

  Some reviewers mention the bugs. Yes there were swarming gnats when I visited in February, not unbearable, but worth noting if that bothers you. Also note the wind coming down the gorge creates some showy sandstorms. (See video) Hey, it's the outdoors.

  The county park is located on the Snake River Gorge about 25 miles from the nearest town. It is located on the northern fridge of the Morley Birds of Prey Sanctuary. You will awaken to the sound of the ducks and geese and can watch hawks and ravens soar on the winds rushing through the gorge. This is not the best place for watching the raptors, as I learned on staying there. Swan Falls south about 15 miles is for wildlife viewing, nevertheless, there was plenty to see and I spent two nights there. 

  A walk up away from the river takes you to a large lake and you can also cross the historic rail bridge to the other bank of the river and climb to the top of the gorge. Excellent place for stargazing, but avoid the sites closest to the visitor center where the lights interfere with prevent perfect darkness.

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• 

  Amy S.

  Legend

  Oct. 25, 2020

  Edna Creek

  Nice Campground

  Edna Creek campground is  off of Highway 21 and is a little farther off the main road that some of other near by campgrounds.   It is a little more private and quiet.  I like this campground because it is more geared toward tent camping.  There is limited space for larger RVs.  There are no RV type amenities.  Just vault toilets, picnic tables and campfire rings.  I believe there is also a water pump.  Lots of access to hiking around here which is a plus for me!

• 

  Mike W.

  Guide

  May. 16, 2019

  Mountain View

  Easy to get to, right on the Payette river

  This campground has some decent sites down near the river, but the sites up higher are noisy due to the highway, and don't have much shade. There are no hookups or dump station, so this is a weekend site for most. There is a water spigot to get water from, and a couple of small outhouses, but the one near our site had been destroyed by a falling tree and just closed instead of being rebuilt. The sites have picnic table, fire ring, but not much for tent pads.

• 

  Jeff M.

  Scout

  May. 10, 2018

  Shafer Butte

  One of my favorites

  Less than an hour from downtown Boise. Beautiful, scenic views, off the main road so it's mostly quiet. Tent only, but nicely maintained tent pads, fire rings and picnic tables. Perfect place to teach young ones the joy of camping; campground is open, mostly flat and easy to keep your eyes the tykes. One of the most enjoyable drives, ever.

• T

  Taylor W.

  Traveler

  Jul. 27, 2020

  Sugarloaf Campground — Lake Cascade State Park

  Middle of the road

  We have high expectations since we’ve been at so many places, so please bear that in mind when reading this.

  1. Only vault toilets and water spigots placed randomly around.
  2. No electric/water hook ups, flushing toilets, or showers
  3. Outside of one vault toilet building some animal made a nest above out of dirt where they continually poop out of that looks like it hasn’t been touched in months so when you go to use the restroom you walk by a giant pile of poop.
  4. Pea gravel pads where they encourage you put your tent, not bad if you have a blow up mattress. It is nicely raked upon arrival.
  5. Campsite was clean.
  6. Most sites had trees, but not all so definitely check site pictures online if you need shade.
  7. Most sites have a view of the lake, since it’s almost like a peninsula campground.
  8. Nice boat ramps and lots of parking for boaters to leave trucks and trailers.
  9. Bugs would get a bit crazy at random times of day depending on weather.
  10. 20 minutes south of McCall if you wanted to get out and see a quaint little town.
  11. Cows on opposite side of water from campground; you can hear them, but not smell them.

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• R

  Rich P.

  Traveler

  Oct. 3, 2021

  Deadwood Campground

  Small, near hotsprings

  Great but small NF campsite at the Deadwood trailhead. 6 sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Clean vault toilets.

• 

  Jeff M.

  Scout

  May. 9, 2018

  Macks Creek Park

  Great for casusl RV camping

  Small campsite, approx 6-7 hard pads with vault toilet at one end. Site sits directly on a busy, paved roadway that follows Lucky Peak and Arrowrock Reservoir. Also, directly acro townss the street from RV camping is a busy, tent only campsite. The view of the River is nice, but the noise and outside distractions are not my cup of tea. But it's close to town, so there's that....

• L

  Leah G.

  Traveler

  Sep. 19, 2024

  Herrick Reservoir Access

  Just ok

  Camping is free, limit of 10 days. Not really any designated sites and surrounded by private land with aggressive signage. Not all roads around the reservoir are public, so be prepared to turn around and back up at dead ends. We came to an orange gate that said "private property", and stopped. While trying to turn around, we noticed a white truck sitting behind us. When we turned around and passed him, he motioned to roll down the window, and then berated us and called us idiots, even though we had not even entered the private land, nor did we want to. We felt threatened. In the end we chose a site on the upper road of the reservoir. The view was nice but not close to the pit toilet. No fire ring. No table. A no frills place. Like many lakes in Idaho, the reservoir is mostly dry. Not a huge deal but not the prettiest to look at. There is only one single pit toilet for the whole reservoir and someone was set up right next to it like it was their own. People ride off-road vehicles here. In an area with slim pickings for free camping, I guess you have to take what you can get.

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