19 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Idaho City Yurts offers a distinctive glamping experience in the Boise National Forest with comfortable accommodations for those seeking a blend of outdoor adventure and comfort. These yurts feature beds, wood stoves for heating, and basic amenities that elevate the camping experience beyond traditional tent camping. The yurts are accessible via hiking trails, making them a secluded retreat in both summer and winter months. Visitors appreciate the cleanliness and cozy atmosphere of these structures. According to one visitor, "These Yurts are Awesome! I have only been to there in the winter but I imagine that hiking in is just a beautiful! You need to bring everything but a bed and stove, which are in the yurt."
The surrounding area provides extensive recreational opportunities with miles of forest trails ideal for hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Cowboy Campground, located conveniently near Idaho City, serves as another glamping option with ample space between sites and proximity to town amenities. The location offers excellent access to fishing spots and forest exploration opportunities. Firewood is included with yurt rentals, allowing guests to enjoy warm evenings even during colder months. One reviewer noted, "Nice and clean. Easy to warm up. Some games lots of beds. Firewood included in purchase of renting." Seasonal considerations are important when planning a visit, as winter access requires hiking through snow, creating a more challenging but rewarding adventure.
"This is a conveniently located campground near all the amenities of Idaho City. Miles of forest for hiking, exploring and fishing. "
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Feels like a little oasis tucked in behind the fairground and baseball stadium. The green belt and river run right by it. Super friendly staff. Variety of site types."
"The campground all the way to Lucky Peak Reservoir, a distance of 19 miles."
from $53 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Nice wooded campground with some sites adjacent to Payette river. One paved lane in/out with loop at end. Fairly level gravelled pads with picnic tables, tent pads and fire pits."
"Nice paved drive on our site, a big groomed flat spot for a tent, a nice fire pit with cooking grate, and sturdy picnic table. "
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability"You need to bring everything but a bed and stove, which are in the yurt. Lots of hiking or cross-country skiing in the area."
"Some games lots of beds. Firewood included in purchase of renting. One time I went I miss read the reservation date and got kicked out by another group. So we had to hike down in a snow storm."
"The river is nearby but there is no real access here. Go down the road a bit and you will have some nice water access."
"the summer of 2017. it didn’t look like much as we pulled up, because there were a lot of trees that had been burned in a recent fire. however, we had a lot of fun. we discovered the river that ran behind"
from $12 - $24 / night
Check Availability"This is a small campground right off Highway 55 and across from the Payette River. There are 4 small campgrounds right in a row near here. There is plenty of shade and pretty good privacy. "
from $120 / night
Check Availability"Awesome water pressure in the showers and laundry on site. Would definitely stay here again only negative is u could not connect to the wifi"
"The bathrooms and showers are excellent! Clean, secure. The lakeside location and walking trails are beautiful. Feels like living outside of town but still close to everything town offers."
from $28 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Camping in walking a short distance to float the river"
"This place is such a fun weekend getaway, it's far enough to get some peace and quiet, yet it is also close enough to where you can be in the mountains with a short drive"
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Our campsite was clean and had a cooking stand next to the picnic table. I would very much recommend this campground."
"We were originally booking in an equestrian site but we don't own horses the camp host left us a little sticky note (there is not cell service) on the fence when we arrived to let us know that our campsite"
"However, it was within walking distance of the water for swimming and fishing. Also VERY clean toilets!
Other than it was hot mid-day, it was beautiful, plus an amazing hiking trail is close too."
from $20 - $75 / night
Check Availability
LegendThis is a conveniently located campground near all the amenities of Idaho City. Miles of forest for hiking, exploring and fishing. Right off Highway 21, it's easy to find with ample space between campsites. A great base camp for exploring the area.
LegendUp near the top of the pass is Bench Creek campground. There are only 6 sites on this lollipop loop, all on the non-highway side. But you can hear the highway from everywhere in the campground. Sites 2, 3, and 4 back up nicely to the creek. Vault toilet but no water or trash, so pack in pack out. Across the highway are some OHV trails, so you will also get some of that noise in the day. Every site has the standard picnic table and fire pit, but fire season is real, so maybe skip the fire.
LegendClean, leveled, friendly, only 1/4 mile to their downtown. Friendly and helpful staff, showers, toilets, beach area for swimming WITH lounge chairs, swimming right in front, volleyball court, dog walking trails, fire pits, horse shoe play area, etc! Only wish I was able to do laundry but coming back again! Oh and the best part, great fishing under the bridge!
GuideAlturas Lake Inlet campground is tucked into the lovely, shady forest around it. We saw plenty of birds, chipmunks and tiny wildflowers were all over our site in early July. The lake is a short walk but some campers drove over just to make it easier to tote their chairs and water gear. Bring layers - it can is cool in the evenings and at night (40s F) even in July but warm in the day, especially if you are out by the lake. We tent camped at site 17 and although it was near one of the many vault toilets, smaller trash dumpsters, and water spigots, our site was bigger and we set up a decent distance from it. Most sites seemed to have a good distance between each other and enough privacy courtesy of trees and various plant life. We didn’t have any issues, but there plenty of signs reminding campers to be bear aware. (We are pretty careful to keep our food, cooking supplies, toiletries and whatnot in our car when not in use anyway). We did not have cell service (Verizon) and it was a bit of a drive before we got it again. Overall, it’s a beautiful retreat well suited to escaping the heat of summer if you have a tent or small trailer/pull behind.
GuideStayed here long term for 4 months. The price they charge is criminal for what you get. I paid $850+ a month. All spaces are dirt. Bathrooms and showers aren't very clean. Laundry machines are broke more often than not. The freeway noise is terrible.
My wife never felt comfortable there due to some creepy tenants. If possible, stay somewhere else. They don't filter their water. I noticed when I left that my hose screen was almost plugged up with sediment and mineral deposits.
TravelerClean and mostly quiet. Awesome water pressure in the showers and laundry on site. Would definitely stay here again only negative is u could not connect to the wifi
ScoutNice wooded campground with some sites adjacent to Payette river. One paved lane in/out with loop at end. Fairly level gravelled pads with picnic tables, tent pads and fire pits. We liked the steel campstove/griddle/bbq pedestals for cooking. Most sites are fairly well separated. We were able to get the last first come/first served site on a Saturday in late June. Ok for our 29’ fifth wheel, but over 32’ would be pretty tight to back in to some of the spots
LegendFort Running Bear RV Park, Idaho
If you like the middle of nowhere, you will like Fort Running Bear RV Park. It is approximately 32 miles to the middle of nowhere, the last three are on a dirt road. You are driving through scrub country with no trees and hills in the distance. Then you see a copse of trees in the distance. That is where you end up. This is an older campground, private and family run. There is a shower house attached to the swimming pool and a laundry room. The sites have room around them for tents, bikes, etc; a covered picnic table , most have shade and fire rings. There are full hookup sites and basic sites. When we visited the wind was wiping through the area. The owners are personable and friendly, the campground is well maintained. The shower house ...clean and a little old. This would be a nice place to spend a quiet weekend or time with the family. It would not make sense to use this campground for a base camp due to the distance from anywhere.
GuideFun REC for kids, playground, and party fire pit area. Individual spots were extremely tight. Employee had to help us park (even though we didn't feel like we needed it).
The Idaho City area offers camping options at elevations between 3,000-7,000 feet in the Boise National Forest. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F with cooler nights, while winter brings significant snowfall making access more challenging. The region features a mix of forested terrain, mountain lakes, and riverside camping opportunities within a 30-mile radius of town.
River activities along the Payette: Mountain View Campground provides direct access to the South Fork of the Payette River. According to camper Janet K., there's excellent wildlife viewing: "Nice campground. Some sites next to beautiful Payette River. Not very crowded on a Monday evening. Bald eagle flying up and down river!" The river is popular for kayaking, rafting, and fishing.
Hiking on forest trails: Cowboy Campground offers convenient access to extensive hiking networks. Amy S. notes: "Miles of forest for hiking, exploring and fishing. Right off Highway 21, it's easy to find with ample space between campsites. A great base camp for exploring the area." Trails range from easy 1-2 mile loops to more challenging day hikes.
Winter sports opportunities: Cross-country skiing becomes the primary activity during winter months when roads to most campgrounds are snow-covered. Cold Springs Campground remains accessible longer into fall. Andrew B. calls it a "Hidden Gem!" and mentions it's a "Very simple and tranquil campsite" for those seeking quiet outdoor recreation.
Lake access for paddling: Bull Trout Lake Campground provides shoreline camping with individual water access points. One camper describes: "The lake is shallow and perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking. We saw one person fishing! This campsite is remote, no cell phone signal and that's what we were looking for. We were able to disconnect, relax and reset!"
Riverside camping spots: Visitors appreciate waterfront sites that provide natural white noise and recreation opportunities. At Mountain View, Beth D. reports: "Our site was right on the Payette River, and we enjoyed watching some inflatable boats go by. Pit toilets were highly acceptable, and we could also wade right into the shallows of the river."
Privacy between sites: Most campers value adequate spacing. At Bull Trout Lake, one reviewer mentions: "We had a lakefront spot, tons of trees around, and enough space to have privacy from other campsites. All of the campsite we've seen were very spacious." This contrasts with more compact glamping in Idaho City's yurt facilities where sites are closer together.
Prepare for limited services: The remote nature of camping near Idaho City means services are minimal. For Helende Campground, Annie C. advises: "Pop down to the Lowman ranger station down river a few miles to get some good maps; while you are at it, stop in at the Lowman Inn for some killer pizza." Most campgrounds lack cell service.
Highway noise varies by location: Some campgrounds near highways experience traffic noise. Tara L. notes about Helende: "You could definitely hear the roar of cars since it was pretty close to the highway, but it wasn't overly distracting."
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly during summer weekends. Jennifer T. observed at Mountain View: "Reservations seem to be accepted but we did not have a reservation. We camped here to be near white water rafting." For luxury camping options around Idaho City, advance bookings are essential, especially for yurt accommodations.
Beginner-friendly water sites: Fall Creek offers spots suitable for children. Lisa H. recommends: "Very well kept campground. The camp host was very nice. He delivered the firewood and directed us to the waterfall. Our campsite was clean and had a cooking stand next to the picnic table."
Look for educational opportunities: Several campgrounds have nature programs during summer months. At Bull Trout Lake, campers report wildlife viewing opportunities: "Tons of chip monks and pretty birds. Thankfully we did not see any bears although it is bear country!"
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain elevations mean significant day-to-night temperature changes. One camper at Bull Trout notes: "We had a camper van and it got a bit chilly at night but we had blankets so we were fine." Even summer nights can drop into the 40s.
Size limitations on forest roads: Caldwell Campground and RV Park accommodates larger rigs, unlike most forest service sites. Randy I. shares: "We stayed in site #5 with a 30' trailer, there was plenty of room for my truck and trailer in this site. The other sites would be tight with a trailer this size."
Limited hookup availability: Most camping options near Idaho City don't offer full hookups. For those needing amenities, Kelsey G. notes about Caldwell: "Spots for short-term stays are pull-thrus with full hookups. A little slice of grass separates each RV." Glamping options near Idaho City provide more comfort with fewer hookups.
Road conditions vary seasonally: Forest service roads can deteriorate after storms. One Bull Trout camper cautions: "The roads are not paved so make sure your tires are in good conditions so you don't get a flat. You would be on your own cuz there is no cell signal until you are back on the road."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Idaho City, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Idaho City, ID is Cowboy Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Idaho City, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 glamping camping locations near Idaho City, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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