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Best Dispersed Camping near Idaho Falls, ID

52 Reviews

Primitive camping opportunities exist throughout public lands surrounding Idaho Falls, Idaho. Several dispersed camping areas are established along the Snake River, including the Snake River Dispersed area approximately 10 minutes from Shelley, and Wolf Flats Recreation Area northeast of Idaho Falls. Additional options include Fall Creek dispersed camping area in the Caribou National Forest, Pine Creek Road Dispersed camping, and sites near Palisades Reservoir. Most sites are managed by the Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service and require no reservations or fees, though some areas may have seasonal restrictions.

Access roads to dispersed sites near Idaho Falls range from well-maintained gravel to rough dirt tracks requiring high-clearance vehicles. Snake River Dispersed offers dirt road access to a wide gravel area with riverside camping possible for AWD vehicles. Wolf Flats Recreation Area features a dusty, gravelly road leading to numerous riverside sites, some with vault toilets. Fall Creek dispersed camping provides good stream access but includes grazing areas where cattle are present. Most areas have no drinking water, hookups, or waste disposal facilities. Fire restrictions apply seasonally, with some locations maintaining permanent fire bans while others offer established fire rings.

These primitive camping areas attract visitors seeking access to natural features and outdoor recreation. Wolf Flats Recreation Area provides proximity to the Snake River with sites that offer privacy despite moderate weekend use. "Easy access to the streams. We parked in front of a trailhead that allows motor bikes, horses and hikers," notes one visitor to Fall Creek. Cell service varies by location, with several areas maintaining surprisingly good coverage. Visitors to Snake River Dispersed appreciate the quiet location while still being close to town. At Pine Creek Road, campers enjoy free camping with good vehicle access. Some areas experience congestion during peak season, particularly holiday weekends, with one camper noting Wolf Flats was "very busy with lots of campers but there were still camp sites available."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Idaho Falls, Idaho (20)

    1. Snake River Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Firth, ID
    11 miles

    "Dirt road with easy access goes to a wide open gravel area but opportunities to be right next to the river with an AWD vehicle."

    "Nice BLM area right next to the Snake River and only 10 minutes from Shelley."

    2. Wolf Flats Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Ririe, ID
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 524-7500

    "Be weary of fire bans"

    "Great spot just 45 minutes out of Idaho Falls. Lots of sites, many are right by the river.

    There are a few bathrooms along the road but may be a bit of a hike from some sites."

    3. Lava Hiking Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Caribou-Targhee National Forest, ID
    21 miles

    "Stayed at the trailhead parking lot boondocking (No toilets, no water, no electric).  "

    "Nice location away from the highway to spend the night. Dirt road that is a little rough but accessible by low clearance car. Several pull outs to car camp."

    4. Fall Creek dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Swan Valley, ID
    31 miles

    "It is dry camping so bring lots of water to keep hydrated."

    "Good access to the streams. We parked in front of a trailhead that allows motor bikes, horses and hikers. Fire rings along the sites and level land. Peaceful night sleep."

    5. Caribou National Forest

    1 Review
    Swan Valley, ID
    32 miles

    "Not much shade. There are some very large sites and decently spread out. There are open range cows in this area, and many of them. So there is definitely cow shit and nosey cows."

    6. Pine Creek Rd Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Victor, ID
    42 miles

    "Great spot near Grand Teton. Not too busy even on the July 4th weekend. Dirt road not too bad but should be comfortable with off-roading a bit."

    "Very peaceful, only one other camper near by for the first 5 days, then had the area to myself. Best view spots need decent clearance."

    7. Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

    8 Reviews
    Inkom, ID
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 478-6340

    "A short dirt road that’s well maintained leads up to a rock/gravel parking lot. As another reviewer said, the right is for camping, while the left is day use only."

    "Nice spot in a gravel parking lot surrounded by small mountains with toilets nearby. Park on the right as camping is prohibited on the left."

    8. Pine Creek Pass Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Victor, ID
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 557-5900

    "Threaded with dirt roads and my little private ptions for a camp. I always head to the top of the hill. Views of the three Tetons, Palisades, and Baldy plus sunsets and sunrises."

    "There is a large turn off. Two ways to the top up Forest Road 40253. The drive up was not too bad. I’m in a all-wheel-drive Ford transit with a slight lift to it."

    9. Palisades Reservoir

    6 Reviews
    Alpine, ID
    48 miles

    "Ultimate lake camping; bring your boat for wakeboarding, tubing, or just relaxing. Even human powered vehicles can be enjoyed; especially close to shore. So much to explore!"

    "Vault toilet close to the entrance well stocked with tp."

    10. Big Eddy Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Tetonia, ID
    45 miles

    "Dispersed campgrounds near the river. It seems that is managed during the summer season, but there was no one to check anything in May and plenty of places with fire pits."

    "People came in untill about 10:30 then it was quiet and people started packing up and leaving around 6. Right next to a river as well and the night sky was amazing!"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Idaho Falls, ID

48 Photos of 20 Idaho Falls Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Idaho Falls, ID

52 Reviews of 20 Idaho Falls Campgrounds

  • Abner H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Lava Hiking Trailhead

    Lots of Quiet Space - Some Amenities

    Stayed at the trailhead parking lot boondocking (No toilets, no water, no electric).  Fairly level area with a fire ring, picnic tables under a shelter, metal charcoal grill and easy access to the lava field (Hells Half Acre) hiking trails.    Access from US 20 to the trailhead parking is gravel and easily accessible for all vehicles with several large turnouts that can be camped at.  The rest of the loop past the turn to the trailhead parking is not graveled but still passable by most vehicles.  I would be more hesitant to use the loop in wet weather where the ground may be soft.

    Unfortunately as you can see in a couple of the pictures not everyone cares for our public lands appropriately, there is some garbage left around and someone has taken it upon themselves to use signs and structures for target practice.

    - AT&T has 2 bars of LTE and very slow data with a 243ms ping time and a 10Mbps download once it eventually started 

    - T-Mobile has 3 bars and my hotspot was able to achieve 18.85Mbps download although it too had a long ping time of 292ms

    - Starlink has an unobstructed view of the sky with a 226.6Mbps download speed and 27ms ping

  • jsbeezg The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2023

    Lava Hiking Trailhead

    Great location for the night

    Nice location away from the highway to spend the night. Dirt road that is a little rough but accessible by low clearance car. Several pull outs to car camp.

  • Jamie C.
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Pine Creek Pass Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful Views Bumpy Roads

    If you google Pine Creek Pass, that will show you how to get there. There’s a pull off from the hwy that I’ve seen people camp at the base. To get into the dispersed camping you’ll see the driveway in the corner. Take that. It will take you to a long, narrow bumpy road. Beep the horn around corners as some of the road is on a cliff. I’ve seen atv and horses on the road as well. Along the road you’ll find spots to park and camp. I only remember a handful of spots for a camper van.

  • Erin H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2022

    Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

    New Changes to this area??

    Blackrock Canyon BLM Pocatello, ID 8/4/22 DO NOT trust APP coordinates 42.8145, -112.3307 : Campendium 6/20/22 42.8146,-112.3307 : The Dyrt 6/30/22, 42.8142, -112.3306 : FREE Roam / 2019 These coordinates all lead to a reasonably level, fenced dirt parking lot on the left with a vault toilet and concrete walkway going across the road to a covered picnic/stream area. We were very excited. This is NOT the BLM camping area.... or rather more likely, 'no longer' is? There are 3 new looking signs stating Day Use Only, No Overnight Camping. However there is still a signboard by the toilet with the typical BLM rules/regs & 14 day limit? What's a gal to do? So I called the BLM office listed on the sign to clear up the conflicting sign info. Yep, the aforementioned parking lot is NOT FOR OVERNIGHTCAMPING - again, signs are shiney, no weathering, so this may be a new development? We were told there are 2 BLM camping areas. #1 is ACROSS from the aforementioned parking lot... big DEEPLY graveled area on the right as you come in that steeply slopes down to the picnic table area (our autolevel just laughed at us no matter what we did or where we positioned). #2 is about 1/4m further up where the road loops back on itself, and also has a vault toilet (no concrete walkway). This is a medium parking area inside the loop. Looked doable until we noticed the berm hiding under the grass. At 34' backed in, we'd have either lost the under carriage spare tire, or had our big butt sitting on the ground. So this too was a big nope for us. There is a pullout on the way to the 2nd area, but currently has a 'road closed' sign on it, and another pull out just before the 1st parking area. We could have squeezed into this one, but by this point we were wore out & the thought of all the dust ... just nope. We moved on. This is a GORGEOUS area, if you're a smaller footprint, and can get level. Verizon & ATT both usable but not very strong. Road in is a little washboard and hilly, but doable. I15 underpass ... we're 13'8" on truck & cleared both with no issues. Definitely recommend dropping your rig in the parking lot and scouting out this area 1st.

  • EThe Dyrt ADMIN User
    May. 29, 2025

    Wolf Flats Recreation Area

    Lots of sites directly on the river

    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

  • Azaali J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2024

    Wolf Flats Recreation Area

    Great spot with lots of sites

    Great spot just 45 minutes out of Idaho Falls. Lots of sites, many are right by the river.

    There are a few bathrooms along the road but may be a bit of a hike from some sites.

    River is refreshing and nice to watch. Only complaint is the garbage left behind. We easily filled a garbage bag full of others trash when we first arrived. Remember to pack your garbage out to keep places like these pristine.

  • Palmi B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Fall Creek dispersed

    Nice little hideaway

    This place is nice and easy to get to. There is good trout fishing in the small creek or you can go chase the bruisers in the snake river a few miles away. It is dry camping so bring lots of water to keep hydrated.

  • Don S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Pine Creek Rd Dispersed

    Views and Isolation

    Great spot near Grand Teton. Not too busy even on the July 4th weekend. Dirt road not too bad but should be comfortable with off-roading a bit.

  • A
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

    Quiet parking lot tucked in rolling hills conveniently located

    A short dirt road that’s well maintained leads up to a rock/gravel parking lot. As another reviewer said, the right is for camping, while the left is day use only. There’s a very clean toilet well stocked with toilet paper. A friendly ranger stopped by to say hi, otherwise there was no one around camping or using the site. There’s a cute little stream that runs below the site as well.

Guide to Idaho Falls

Dispersed camping sites surround Idaho Falls in eastern Idaho, situated at 4,700 feet elevation in the Upper Snake River Valley. Free camping near Idaho Falls offers access to volcanic terrain, mountain views, and the Snake River system throughout much of the year. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing while summer brings hot, dry conditions.

What to do

Hiking trails access: At Lava Hiking Trailhead, visitors can explore the ancient lava fields of Hells Half Acre. "Easy access to the lava field hiking trails. Access from US 20 to the trailhead parking is gravel and easily accessible for all vehicles with several large turnouts that can be camped at," notes one camper.

River activities: Big Eddy Dispersed Camping provides direct river access for fishing, floating, and swimming. "Right next to a river as well and the night sky was amazing!" reports a camper who found the site when other locations were full.

Wildlife viewing: Camp near the cliffs at Wolf Flats Recreation Area where you can observe local wildlife. "We stayed near the cliff where we watched marmots and foxes along the rocks," one visitor reports.

What campers like

Solitude options: Pine Creek Rd Dispersed offers peaceful camping even during busy periods. "Passed one other car but didn't hear or see anyone all night. Beautiful sunset and sunrise," shares one camper, while another notes, "Not too busy even on the July 4th weekend."

Cell service: Many no-cost camping areas near Idaho Falls maintain surprisingly good connectivity. At Lava Hiking Trailhead, a camper reported, "AT&T has 2 bars of LTE... T-Mobile has 3 bars and my hotspot was able to achieve 18.85Mbps download... Starlink has an unobstructed view of the sky with a 226.6Mbps download speed."

Night skies: Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site offers excellent dark sky viewing just a short drive from the city. "Very dark at night and quiet. Road coming in is not bad at all," reports one camper.

What you should know

Fire restrictions: Fire regulations vary significantly by location and season. "Be weary of fire bans," warns a camper at Wolf Flats Recreation Area, while at Fall Creek dispersed camping, visitors note established fire rings are available when restrictions allow.

Road conditions: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. At Fall Creek dispersed, one camper notes, "Easy to get to," but others mention varying road quality throughout the region.

Livestock presence: Several free camping areas near Idaho Falls share land with grazing operations. "Cows, not just passing thru, they are in the valley with you all the time," reports a camper at Fall Creek dispersed camping.

Tips for camping with families

River access safety: At Palisades Reservoir, shallow areas provide safer water access for children. "You can stay close to the water or hide near the trees. Good water access for kayaks and fishing," notes one family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Idaho Falls?

You'll find excellent dispersed camping options within an hour of Idaho Falls. Wolf Flats Recreation Area is just 45 minutes from town with numerous sites along the river. For stunning mountain views, Pine Creek Pass Dispersed Camping offers secluded spots with dirt roads threading through the area. Other popular locations include areas around Palisades Reservoir, Snake River, and multiple BLM sites. Most dispersed camping follows standard 14-day stay limits, and while facilities are minimal to nonexistent, some areas provide vault toilets. Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles as many spots have issues with previous campers leaving trash.

Do I need a 4WD vehicle to access dispersed camping sites near Idaho Falls?

While 4WD isn't always necessary, having higher clearance is beneficial for many dispersed sites around Idaho Falls. Lava Hiking Trailhead is accessible via gravel roads that can be navigated with low-clearance vehicles, though the surface may be rough in spots. Snake River Dispersed offers a mix of accessibility - the main gravel area is reachable with standard vehicles, but AWD/4WD is needed to access prime spots along the riverbank. Road conditions can deteriorate after rain or snow, so check recent reports before heading out with a sedan or RV. For the most flexibility in campsite selection, especially in spring when roads may be muddy, a vehicle with AWD/4WD is recommended but not essential for all areas.

Is there free camping available around Idaho Falls?

Yes, there's plenty of free camping near Idaho Falls. Fall Creek dispersed offers complimentary camping with good trout fishing in the creek and proximity to the Snake River. Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site provides free spots with a clean vault toilet and well-maintained access. These areas typically operate under standard Bureau of Land Management or National Forest rules with 14-day stay limits. Free camping is generally available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving mid-week or early in the day improves your chances of finding a good spot, especially during peak season. Remember to pack out all trash and come prepared with your own water and supplies.

What are the best times of year for dispersed camping in the Idaho Falls area?

The prime season for dispersed camping around Idaho Falls runs from late May through September when mountain roads are clear and temperatures are moderate. Early summer (June) offers lush landscapes and flowing waterways at sites like Palisades Reservoir, which is excellent for water activities including boating and fishing. July and August provide reliable warm weather but can get busy, especially on weekends and holidays. By September, crowds thin while temperatures remain pleasant. Higher elevation sites like Moose Creek Trailhead Dispersed Area may have limited accessibility in early spring or late fall due to snow. Always check current fire restrictions during summer months, as fire bans are common in dry conditions.

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