Kaniksu National Forest spans over one million acres across northern Idaho with elevation ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with summer averages in the mid-70s. Most dispersed camping areas remain open from late May through October, though accessibility depends on snow melt and road conditions in higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking mountain trails: Round Lake State Park Campground offers well-maintained paths with varying difficulty levels. "A very nice trail runs completely around the lake and nicely maintained," reports Gordie H. The area also features "extensive trails heading up into the mountain behind the lake as well as a trail to a pond with a dam which is quite peaceful," according to Jason S.
Water recreation: Blue Lake RV Resort provides multiple water activities on their small lake. "They have paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards and a floating trampoline. The little lake is full of catfish and turtles that you can feed," notes Don R. Morning paddling offers particularly tranquil experiences as "I got to do yoga by the lake at sunrise, not too buggy and I saw lots of turtles," shares Alana R.
Theme park access: Silverwood RV Park connects directly to Silverwood Theme Park. "You can easily walk from your tent right into the park, which makes it super convenient," explains Brian C. The proximity allows for strategic timing as you can "camp the night before, hit the theme park early, and then crash after a fun filled day," according to Christon C.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Farragut State Park's Gilmore Campground maintains high standards throughout. "The Gilmore campground was clean and well-managed and we found the camp hosts super friendly and helpful. The campground has vault toilets and a few flush toilets as well as private showers with hot water," reports Sarah. Similarly, Camp Coeur D Alene receives praise for its "clean showers and bathrooms" with Sienna V. adding they "had a very comfortable stay and were able to connect to the wifi at our tent site."
Wildlife viewing: Round Lake State Park Campground provides excellent nature observation opportunities. Jason S. highlights the "lovely trail around the lake and an extensive set of trails heading up into the mountain behind the lake." The visitor center enhances this experience as it "has a cool place for kids to learn about the wildlife in the area with foot prints in sand, bird calls, samples of the different types of trees and more," notes Heather M.
Yurt camping options: Elysium Woods offers premium yurt accommodations recognized for their quality. "Elysium Woods was recognized by Business Insider as the best glamping in Idaho for 2020," notes Jake C. These yurt camping facilities in Kaniksu National Forest area provide full hookups with water, sewer and electrical connections, making them comfortable year-round options.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. "Book early as this is a very popular place," advises Ronald about Gilmore Campground. Similarly, sites with premium locations like those at Silverwood require advance planning.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads or railways. At Blue Lake RV Resort, "the campsite's unfortunate location between two railway lines" means "the constant sound of freight trains passing by throughout the day was quite disruptive," explains Anil C., who also notes "noise from the 95 of cars that can be as loud as the constant train passing in the middle of the night."
Winter limitations: Camp Coeur D Alene operates seasonally from May to September, while some parks offer limited winter services. According to Nic F., Round Lake has winter camping but "there was only one hookup spot plowed, and its connectivity was not stable." He adds they "decided not to stay as our Tesla kept reporting electrical risk every 10 minutes."
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Farragut State Park includes historical exhibits suitable for children. "Farragut State Park has abundant hiking, water activities and interesting interpretive exhibits," notes Sarah. The park's size allows for extended exploration as she adds "you could easily make an extended stay here."
Kid-friendly amenities: Gilmore Campground offers recreational space ideal for family activities. "The campground has a big green for frisbee, horseshoes, etc.," reports Sarah. This complements the natural attractions, giving children options between structured play and nature exploration.
Swimming areas: Several parks provide designated swimming zones with varied conditions. At Round Lake, "the swimming area is nice with kind of sandy beach, but there is a bit of seaweed in the swimming area," explains Jason S. He adds there are "two docks perfect for fishing" where he "even caught a couple of crappies and trout."
Tips from RVers
Site specifics: When reserving RV spots, consider individual site characteristics. At Gilmore Campground, "the campsites were well spaced from one another," according to Sarah. Site selection matters at Round Lake where "all sites are very large, covered in shade, and plenty of flat ground," reports Cody H.
Hookup reliability: Winter campers should verify utility connections before committing. Nic F. recommends calling ahead as they "swung by here yesterday (late Dec) after calling to confirm hookups were still functional" at Round Lake, only to find limited plowed spaces with unstable electricity.
Alternative accommodation: Camp Coeur D Alene offers varied options when traditional RV camping isn't ideal. "This campground was super cozy and safe. They had firewood for sale, a pool, and clean showers and bathrooms," says Sienna V. The camp provides "tent camping, full service RV camping, and cabins for rent" with "hiking trails adjacent, a well stocked camp store and laundry facilities," adds Phil G.
