Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Idaho City, ID

Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed camping areas accommodate both tent and RV campers with pets throughout the campground. Grayback Gulch Campground provides shaded, well-spaced campsites for pet owners with potable water and clean restroom facilities. Both locations maintain pet-friendly policies with accessible trails and outdoor recreation options suitable for dogs. Sites at Grayback feature picnic tables and fire rings, offering comfortable camping experiences for families with pets. The tall pines provide ample shade from summer heat while maintaining good spacing between sites for privacy. Most campsites have adequate room for vehicles and camping equipment without feeling crowded.

The forest areas surrounding Idaho City campgrounds offer numerous trails suitable for hiking with dogs. Grayback Gulch serves as an excellent base camp with forest access for pet exercise, though owners should note the nearby ATV trails can create dust and occasional noise. The campground's location approximately one hour from Boise makes it convenient for weekend trips with pets. Idaho City's nearby amenities provide additional resources for campers with animals. Pine Flats Campground and Cowboy Campground also accommodate pets with spacious sites and natural surroundings. During summer months, the creek access at many campgrounds offers dogs cooling opportunities, though pets should remain leashed in common areas. Campground temperatures can vary significantly with elevation changes, particularly at higher elevation sites like Edna Creek where overnight temperatures drop considerably even in summer.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Idaho City, Idaho (122)

    1. Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    15 miles
    Website

    "I drive a cargo van and it shook everything to the point where I didn’t want to do 30 minutes of it."

    "Parked our tow behind camper right on the beach. It is very muddy so don’t get too close to the shore, we had to help two vehicles get out of the mud. Also very buggy which is why is lost a star"

    2. Grayback Gulch Campground

    5 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 392-6681

    $8 - $15 / night

    "Close to the road but not noisy. Close to Idaho City, which has awesome little spots. Shady, no morning sun. The real treasure is the nearby hot springs resort, The Springs at Idaho City."

    "This is a great campground between Boise and Idaho City.  "

    3. Pine Flats (ID)

    14 Reviews
    Lowman, ID
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 259-3361

    $15 - $30 / night

    "I annually visit Pine Flats with great hot springs just a quick walk away. The sites are not too close to each other so if you go on a weekend you get some space away from other campers."

    "this camp ground has a great location, downhill from the highway, there is virtually no noise from the road, and there are hotsprings located within a half a mile from your camp ground."

    4. Grayback

    3 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 392-6681

    $15 - $200 / night

    "Pros: I like this little CG; good spacing between sites, clean toilets, potable water and plenty of hiking and fishing opportunities nearby.   I can leave Boise and be on-site in about an hour."

    5. Macks Creek Park

    11 Reviews
    Boise, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 343-0671

    $20 - $40 / night

    "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...."

    "And it is very very close to Boise within 20 miles from Airport, so you can virtually forgot all the camping equipment b/c you can buy / rent them quickly as it is so close to big city"

    6. Pine Flats Campground

    9 Reviews
    Garden Valley, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 259-3361

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Nice campground with a short hike/walk to some hot springs."

    "You follow the same path to the better springs but it gets slightly difficult at the very end."

    7. Boise National Forest Black Rock Campground

    5 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 392-6681

    $15 / night

    "The entrance is a narrow road down a hill. But still very accessible for a travel trailer.

    Keep in mind, Black Rock is 20 miles of dirt road. It does get bumpy in some spots."

    "We love going here because it is usually clean and has fishing and swimming close by and the water is shallow enough for all of us to enjoy."

    8. Edna Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 392-6681

    $15 / night

    "This is a great little campground just north east of Idaho City by 20 minutes or so. Steep winding drive the last 10 miles."

    "Ranger review: Banner and Oak life straw water bottle at Edna creek campground Idaho

    Campground review

    These campgrounds are pretty nice."

    9. Cowboy Campground

    1 Review
    Idaho City, ID
    1 mile
    Website

    $35 / night

    "This is a conveniently located campground near all the amenities of Idaho City.  Miles of forest for hiking, exploring and fishing.  "

    10. Boise National Forest Bad Bear Campground

    2 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 392-6681

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Bad Bear is a nice little campsite outside of Idaho City. The sites are good size with adequate privacy."

    "Most of the campsites are across Highway 21 (not on the river side).  "

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Idaho City, ID

606 Reviews of 122 Idaho City Campgrounds


  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2023

    Mores Creek by Steamboat Gulch

    good for a short stay

    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.

  • Beth M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2023

    Grayback Gulch Campground

    Location!

    Small campsite with well-spaced sites. Pretty good Verizon signal. Close to the road but not noisy. Close to Idaho City, which has awesome little spots. Shady, no morning sun. The real treasure is the nearby hot springs resort, The Springs at Idaho City. This is not a big kiddie swimming pool, rather it is a lovely, serene spot and by far one of the nicest in Idaho. They even serve IPA poolside!

  • Anna W.
    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.

  • Amy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2021

    Cowboy Campground

    Great Location Idaho City

    This 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.

  • Mike E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 26, 2022

    Edna Creek Campground

    Great jump off to the woods

    This is a great little campground just north east of Idaho City by 20 minutes or so. Steep winding drive the last 10 miles. This campground is near the summit and about 5,000 ft so it can get cool at night even in the summer. From here great access to many Forest roads, rivers, and hiking and ATV riding.

  • Amy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2020

    Grayback Gulch Campground

    Above HWY 21 off the road

    This is a great campground between Boise and Idaho City.  What is nice about this campground is that it is up the mountain away from the highway so the campsites are bigger and there is less road noise.  There are mature trees for shade and space between the campsites for privacy.  This is a great place for groups and there is a large designated area for group camping.  The campground is clean and I will definitely come back.

  • Mike E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Edna Creek

    Good family campground near Boise

    We stayed here over a weekend in the summer. This Campground is got an hour and a half from Boise and above Idaho City on the Highway 21. The last 20 or 30 minutes Beyond Idaho City going east is a pretty steep Winding Road and a little bit narrow. The longer your trailer and rig the more skill you will need to climb this route. Edna creek is just over Mores Creek Summit and it's it about five thousand feet. It's a great place to cool off. Campground is shaded in most cases. Nice variety of little spaces including a little bit of water going by some of the sites. It's a small cluster of sights on a loop road and again you'll need to maneuver tightly in a few of the corners. Definitely not for a large or long rigs.

  • Michelle P.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Boise National Forest Whoop-em-up Equestrian Campground

    Whoop Em Up!

    Quiet with restroom and clean water. Lots of firewood laying around. No cell service, except Mores Peak and Idaho City... No service in Lowman (only 1 mercantile with 2 pumps), but an absolutely gorgeous drive! Only downside is the flies late morning to evening. But overall an awesome 2 days of peace and quiet and no cell. Didn't hike, but plenty of trails due to horses and heard running water in the distance.

  • Will M.
    Jun. 11, 2021

    Grayback Gulch Campground

    Great oasis just outside of town

    We stayed in site 14 for four days. Met some nice folks as we dropped off some wood. Clean bathrooms. We visited Idaho City, Placerville, Centerville, and Pioneerville. Took one day to see Kirkham hot springs. There really isn't too terrible of a spot to park a trailer. My 24' trailer and truck fit nicely.


Guide to Idaho City

Dispersed camping areas near Idaho City provide both tent and RV options at elevations ranging from 3,700 to 5,000 feet. The Boise National Forest surroundings offer significant temperature variations between day and night, with higher elevations experiencing drops as much as 30-40 degrees after sunset even during summer months. The area receives most visitors between June and September when forest roads are fully accessible.

What to do

River activities: Access options at Pine Flats Campground where campers can enjoy the Payette River. "The real treasure is the nearby hot springs resort, The Springs at Idaho City. This is not a big kiddie swimming pool, rather it is a lovely, serene spot and by far one of the nicest in Idaho. They even serve IPA poolside!" notes Beth M.

Kayaking and boating: Arrowrock Reservoir offers water recreation despite limited shade. "The water is clean and there is tons of beach area! Bring the kayaks and get paddling!" advises Brett P. Water levels can fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach access.

Hiking: Trails from Black Rock Campground provide forest exploration opportunities. "You are nestled in the trees with a river below - you can wade in the water and enjoy fishing as well," shares Kelly G. The campground sits at the end of a 20-mile dirt road, making it more secluded than others in the area.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Grayback Gulch Campground offers well-spaced camping areas. "Sites are well spaces apart. A quit spot," reports Kiwi S. The campground sits away from Highway 21, reducing road noise compared to other options.

Reliable cell service: Some campgrounds maintain connectivity. "Had 2 bars of Verizon good enough to stream on. Quiet campground with friendly people and clean amenities," notes Cam T. about Grayback Gulch. Coverage varies significantly by carrier and specific location.

Hot springs access: Pine Flats offers natural soaking opportunities. "I go at least once a year up to this. Depending on how high the river is there are anywhere from 2 to 10 hot pools to soak in and it is the most beautiful views," shares Danielle R. Hot spring accessibility varies with river levels and seasonal conditions.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. "Be careful as the drive is a little sketchy. The water is clean and there is tons of beach area!" warns Brett P. about Arrowrock Reservoir. Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain.

Temperature fluctuations: Edna Creek Campground sits at higher elevation. "This campground is near the summit and about 5,000 ft so it can get cool at night even in the summer," explains Mike E. Pack layers even for summer camping.

Limited facilities: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Idaho City offer basic amenities. "No trash service, pack in pack out. Vault toilets, hand crank water pump. Recommend RVs fill up on water in Idaho City," advises Josh D. about Black Rock Campground. Most dispersed sites have no water sources.

Tips for camping with families

Shallow water access: Look for campsites with gentle shorelines. "We love going here because it is usually clean and has fishing and swimming close by and the water is shallow enough for all of us to enjoy," says Darlan B. about Black Rock Campground. Check water levels before planning water activities.

Group camping options: Cowboy Campground accommodates larger gatherings. "This is a conveniently located campground near all the amenities of Idaho City. Miles of forest for hiking, exploring and fishing," states Amy S. The campground provides easy access to town services.

Pet-friendly trails: Many Idaho City camping areas welcome dogs. "Weekday camping does not have a lot of other campers so you can get the place to yourself," notes Rachel G. about Pine Flats. Less crowded weekday camping creates better experiences with pets.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Check specific site dimensions before booking. "Made the reservation for 2 nights off the government site. I must say they are true to length. So true I'm sure I would not fit, but after trying 3 times to make the turn backing in we left for better camping. Site 22 is a tough get," warns Phillip C. about Pine Flats Campground.

Water availability: Plan for limited services. "Was virtually empty, able to choose a great spot. Recommend bringing a saw and ax for firewood although we were able to scavenge enough. Well water is cold and tasty," shares William P. about his Pine Flats stay. Many pet-friendly campgrounds near Idaho City have hand-pump wells only.

Site spacing: RVs require adequate turning radius. "Would recommend NOT using sites 3, 4, or 5 if you have an RV. All other sites are great! The entrance is a narrow road down a hill. But still very accessible for a travel trailer," advises Josh D. about Black Rock Campground. Research site dimensions and approach angles before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Idaho City, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Idaho City, ID is Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Idaho City, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 122 dog-friendly camping locations near Idaho City, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.