Camping near Idaho Falls, Idaho sits at an elevation of about 4,700 feet with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and winters dropping well below freezing. Several campgrounds in the region feature direct access to the Snake River and Ririe Reservoir, with most sites offering seasonal availability from May through October. Train noise affects multiple campgrounds throughout the area, particularly during nighttime hours.
What to do
Fishing at Ririe Reservoir: Juniper Group Campsite provides access to quality fishing for rainbow trout and perch. "Juniper is an excellent campground located on the Ririe reservoir and recreation area... The fishing at 'Blacktail' is good for Rainbows and perch - highly recommended," notes Greg G.
Swim in Jefferson County Lake: The lake at Jefferson County Lake offers clear water from underground springs. "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," shares Steveandshauna H.
Explore downtown Idaho Falls: From South Tourist Park Campground, take the riverside path to town. "There is a bike path right from the campground that follows the river and leads to downtown Riverwalk area," says Lisa, making this an easy way to enjoy both camping and urban amenities without moving your vehicle.
What campers like
Spacious sites with hookups: Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park provides concrete pads with space between sites. "Large spaces with plenty of room between. Clean and paved. Only complaint is super loud railroad tracks, but they give you ear plugs lol," shares Leah.
Riverside camping locations: South Tourist Park Campground offers direct water access. "A few nice spots right on the river. They have a potable water and a dump station. Fairly cheap for a couple nights stay," notes Jamie C., reflecting the appeal of affordable waterfront sites.
Clean facilities: Juniper Group Campsite maintains high standards for their bathrooms. "The bathrooms are clean and showers are a nice touch. The campsites were open but there were only a handful of other campers around," says Joshua D., highlighting the combination of cleanliness and privacy during weekday stays.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep: Multiple campgrounds experience significant railroad noise. "Light sleepers may not be happy," warns Lisa about South Tourist Park Campground, adding that there's a "VERY LOUD train that went by a few times during the night, blowing its whistle."
Campground gates may close: Some parks have strict entry rules. At Bonneville County Juniper Campground, gates close at 10 PM, which caught some campers off guard. Review gate policies before making evening plans.
Site levelness varies: Many campgrounds require leveling equipment. "Bring your blocks," advises Melanie T., explaining that while Juniper Park is "very nice quiet & clean," some "sites are a little uneven."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Mountain River Ranch offers safe water play options. "The kids loved the pond and riding in the canoe. The whole experience was wonderful," shares Michael A.
Playground access: Snake River RV Park provides play areas for children. "The park for the kids was perfect and the pool was open too! Beautiful grounds and close to everything in town," notes Katie H.
Seasonal events: Jefferson County Lake hosts special events during camping season. "Each year in September they have Buddies Not Bullies event on the beach... They had lots of old cars and cool cars and you can vote on your favorites. My boys loved the burnout contest," describes Steveandshauna H.
Tips from RVers
Easy access locations: Snake River RV Park & Campground provides convenient sites. "The spaces are very big and flat. The people are very friendly and helped us find a good rv repair man who even answered the phone on a Sunday afternoon," shares Debbie M.
Storage options: While traveling to attractions, Snake River RV Park's location makes a good base. "A great spot to reach Idaho Falls or the Grand Tetons, and Jackson WY," explains Greg G., noting its strategic position for exploring the region.
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds offer dump stations for RVers. "This is a great location. Easy access," comments Mark P. about Ririe Reservoir's facilities, making it convenient for managing longer stays.
