The Snake River region around Idaho Falls sits at approximately 4,700 feet elevation, creating distinct camping conditions through four seasons. The area features riparian environments along the river corridor and high desert terrain beyond city limits. Campsites near Idaho Falls range from primitive dispersed locations to developed campgrounds with full hookups, with most options situated within a 30-mile radius of the city.
What to do
River activities: access at multiple points along the Snake River corridor provides opportunities for water recreation. At Wolf Flats Recreation Area, campers can enjoy riverside campsites with direct water access. "Lots of great options to camp along the river! Quite busy and did have someone join us in our campsite late at night. Road is not bad! Be weary of fire bans," notes Emma T.
Day trips: Yellowstone proximity makes Idaho Falls a strategic base camp for exploring the national park. Many visitors at Yellowstone Lakeside RV Park use it as a hub. According to Dan M., it's the "Perfect spot as a home base for a week. Hour and a half from Yellowstone and Jackson."
Walking trails: paved paths extend around several camping areas, offering exercise opportunities without leaving the campgrounds. Jefferson County Lake features a walking trail that circles the water. Nick G. reports, "I like the paved trail that goes around the lake for jogging and cycling."
What campers like
Clean facilities: individual bathrooms at some campgrounds provide unexpected luxury. Juniper Group Campsite receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The bathrooms are very nice and clean and have a shower in each one," confirms Kim N. Another camper noted Yellowstone Lakeside RV Park has the "Cleanest and nicest bathrooms and laundry room ever."
Lakeside options: swimming areas attract families seeking water recreation beyond the Snake River. At Jefferson County Lake, the water quality stands out. According to Steveandshauna H., "The lake is actually an aquafer (underground spring) so it's super clear and clean unlike most lakes. One side of the lake has a beach and my kids and I swam in the lake and they especially loved the big slide in the middle of the lake."
Budget-friendly options: dispersed camping provides no-cost alternatives for self-contained campers. Snake River Dispersed offers riverside spots without facilities. Abner H. describes it as a "Nice BLM area right next to the Snake River and only 10 minutes from Shelley."
What you should know
Seasonal closures affect availability of some campgrounds, particularly after early fall. Jefferson County Lake operates on a limited schedule. "This campground closes for the winter in October but they leave the walking trail open," notes Steveandshauna H.
Noise factors: transportation corridors impact several campground locations. Highway 20 and railroad tracks create sound disturbances at multiple sites. Carrick M. reports about South Tourist Park Campground: "The price for one night was $40 though! Not sure when they made that change but I wouldn't say it's quite worth that given proximity to highways and trains."
Ground conditions: site levelness varies significantly across the region. At Bonneville County Juniper Campground, sites are well-maintained but elsewhere leveling can be challenging. Mark P. commented, "This is a great location and you can't beat the price at $25 a night for full hookups."
Reservation requirements differ by location, with some campgrounds operating first-come, first-served while others require advance booking. South Tourist Park Campground follows this model. Jamie C. notes, "You need to park and go to the box near the host station to fill out the card and pay."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation: lake activities provide family-friendly alternatives to the fast-flowing Snake River. Jefferson County Lake offers rental options. "They have kayaks and paddleboats to rent for $15 an hour," reports Steveandshauna H.
Playground access: several campgrounds include play structures for children. Snake River RV Park features dedicated play areas. Katie H. shares, "The park for the kids was perfect and the pool was open too! Beautiful grounds and close to everything in town."
Site selection: riverside locations offer natural entertainment but require supervision. At Wolf Flats, johny R. cautions, "Some sites are on the river but dont have easy river access, there is a steep bank."
Tips from RVers
Gate access hours: restricted entry times at some locations can cause challenges for late arrivals. Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park operates a gated system. Leah comments, "Only complaint is super loud railroad tracks, but they give you ear plugs lol."
Site spacing considerations: proximity to other campers varies widely across campgrounds. Snake River RV Park experiences crowding during peak season. Rachel C. notes, "They certainly have all the amenities including showers, a pool, hot tub and playground. It was nice having these amenities after several days without. However the sites did not have much space between them."
Dump station availability: limited options require planning ahead. Ginger Y. appreciates South Tourist Park Campground because "I love that there is a RV dump in the campground."
