Best Dispersed Camping near Lake Fork, ID

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Lake Fork

26 Reviews of 24 Lake Fork Campgrounds

• R

  Ronda D.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 8, 2024

  Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

  Amazing, peaceful location!

  We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in October. There were many spots available along the road leading up to this site. But they were close to the road and we wanted to be off the road. We ended up at the last spot on the road right before the interpretive trail at the end. This spot was tucked into the trees. And once we got our camper backed in, we didn’t even know the road was there. And the VIEW! Wow!! Looking across the lake with the most beautiful sunsets. We stayed for 3 nights. We set up Starlink so we could work on Friday and had no issues with the connection.

• 

  Kaye S.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 7, 2024

  Little Payette Lake (Dispersed)

  Free, easy access and Close to McCall

  Two other RVs already here so we backed into the shaded nook just as you pull off Lick Creek Rd. Views of the lake but log jams and swampy shore mean no access.

  No bugs during the day but Dawn/dusk mosquitoes.

• 

  christian L.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 27, 2024

  Little Salmon River Pullout Dispersed

  Stopped for the night

  This is a little pullout off route 95. Has about 10-15 feet of separation from main road, which gives privacy and protection from cars. The surface is a gravel and can fit a fairly decent amount of vehicles. The sign says you can camp up to 10 days consecutive, we only stayed for the night and continued on. This is also right on little salmon river.

• S

  Shay S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 1, 2024

  Short's Bar Recreation Area

  Busy

  This camp site was popping with people who are definitely staying a while. These people let us camp near them but idk if they’d let us stay that long. Good for one night! Neighbors kind of loud but sooo pretty by the river!!! Easy to get in and out. Porta potty’s available

• K

  Kevin C.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 13, 2023

  Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area

  Great secluded spot

  The fir trees stand tall and still. I can’t figure out if they are waiting for something to happen or if they simply don’t care.

  If you’re looking for sone sort of gorgeous panorama, this might not be the place for you. It’s really just a small meadow in the mountains that the BLM put a vault toilet and a couple of fire rings in. That being said, this place is beautiful.

  You can’t see rapid creek from the campground but you can hear it. And that’s really just as good. The white noise from the creek matched with the occasional bird or other nature sound is one of the most relaxing things on the planet.

  It’s high enough in elevation that this place gets nippy at night. I stayed in early August and the temps dropped into the upper 30s at night.

  The campground is well maintained and the vault toilet was reasonably clean when I arrived. It became Kevin clean shortly after I set up camp.

  There are trails from both sites near the vault toilet that lead down to Rapid Creek.

  I never saw any bear scat but signs on the property warn of them so be smart with your food.

  All in all, Rapid Creek dispersed camping is excellent if you just want a quiet place where no one is around. It’s amazing but not for the reasons people usually like in my opinion. ◦

• 

  Sierra J.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 19, 2022

  Little Payette Lake (Dispersed)

  Lots of bugs but pretty view

  Not super crazy view, but free. Not too many spots available in July. LOTS of bugs

• 

  Will M.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 12, 2022

  Mann Creek Recreation Area

  Not a bad place

  Nice oasis. Clean bathrooms and good sized sites. Even sites have the table and pit on the back side of your trailer. Lots of skeeters to take your spray. We also ran into a couple bull snakes.

• 

  Fishin' R.

  Traveler

  

  Feb. 9, 2022

  Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

  Very Quiet

  until the late 1980s my family and I camped here with our RVs all the time but a chipmunk they have been trying to save since( they are everywhere...) has resulted in the campgrounds being closed for vehicle use. great place to take a tent and a six pack! little store 3 miles down the road.

• 

  Christine

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 21, 2021

  Mann Creek Recreation Area

  Gorgeous, safe and quiet

  Great place to stop on our drive from CA to ID. The other campground is just a few hundred yards up the road and it is a very park like gorgeous setting with restrooms. It was completely full on a weekday so we came to the primitive site. Wonderful. Level. Lots of respectful families Boondocking. We parked with our carryall trailer and our two vehicles and slept in our truck. What a gorgeous view and skies to wake up to. There’s a day use area further south that you can stop at on your way out for the restroom. If we go this way again, we will definitely stop here. Follow the directions, not the GPS coordinates. There is two roads to get in more creek and man creek. More creek will make you wish you had a sports bra on and a new suspension for your car when your finally get to pavement...

• 

  Will M.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 9, 2021

  Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

  Great campgrounds tucked away

  Great spot tucked into the trees. Some sites are a bit cramped, but enjoyable. Cool trails and nearby water to keep the kids occupied. The road is tight but you can get a fifth wheeler in. Every spot looks very easy backing in. No sharp corners, no sacrifices were made in order to back in.

• 

  Austin C.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 23, 2021

  Little Payette Lake (Dispersed)

  Dispersed Near McCall at Little Payette Lake

  Dirt road turn-off from Lick Creek Road.  4-5 pullouts for cars/RVs.  A few hundred years from the lake, but there is not really lake access.  Mosquitoes were pretty prevalent in early august.  No fires were allowed due to wildfire restrictions.

  All said, it was a painless & free site only a few minutes from downtown McCall, ID.  Good alternative to when the state park fills up

• 

  Larry J.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 26, 2021

  Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

  Great dispersed camping

  Just came back from my second week long trip in 3 weeks there. Camped right on the water! I usually go up on Monday stay till Saturday, one of the benefits of being retired! Definitely going to go one more time, maybe two this summer. Very very scenic.

• 

  Amy S.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 4, 2021

  Mann Creek Recreation Area

  Awesome spot!

  This is a great campground near the reservoir.  Lots of shade trees, almost a park like setting.  Plenty of room to roam from this base camp.  It does get pretty hot in the summer.

• 

  Amy S.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 4, 2021

  Mann Creek Recreation Area

  Beautiful Reservoir

  This is a great area.  There is camping around the reservoir and at the near by campground.  Up past the reservoir there are roads to ride ATV's.  There is not a lot of shade and it gets hot in the summer.  Spring and fall are really nice times of year here.

• 

  Cheyenne P.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 30, 2020

  Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

  Beautiful Spot!

  There are some seriously beautiful spots to camp here. Another review says that it’s $10 to camp, but that is in the actual campground. Instead of turning right to get into the campground, keep driving straight and you will find the dispersed camping. Perfectly secluded and beautiful views of the water.

• 

  Cody H.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 20, 2020

  Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

  If you want beauty and seclusion, skip McCall and head to Upper Payette!

  One of the few dispersed areas I’ve visited with multiple bathrooms.

  Stunning views on the calm water. Bring your SUP or kayak, you’ll want to be on the water! Lots of local fishing, hiking, and MTB trails.

  A really beautiful area amazing views.

• 

  Hannah W.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 12, 2020

  Loon Lake

  Amazing views and history!

  This campground is a hike-in area unless you visit via dirt bikes, mountain bikes or horses. It is 4.4 miles to Loon Lake from the Chinook Campground.Chinook is the last place you can get water and use a pit toilet before going on the hike. Follow the Loon Lake Loop trail to get to the lake. It is likely you may be the only person camping there, but you will see people hiking in to visit the plane wreckage of a B-23 Dragon Bomber which crashed on the other side of the lake in 1943. The plane can be difficult to find as you have to bushwack to get to it. I did find a little trail that brought me out, but it is often hard to find. We hiked along the right side of the lake, then bushwacked to the left, forded a creek, and was able to find the plane. I have heard and red that you can find the plane by going around an unmaintained forest service trail on the left side of the lake as well. If you make it this far I encourage you to find the plane and read the informational signs no matter what. The story is incredible! While it is longer to hike back out on the rest of the loop, the trail is completely different than coming in and provides amazing views of the Secesh river. Don't expect any amenities when camping at Loon Lake. This spot is truly for those interested in packing in and packing out what they want to use in a remote setting.

• 

  Spencer L.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 8, 2020

  Lake Louie Dispersed Backcountry Camping

  Beautiful

  Challenging hike in with packs but very doable. Once you reach the lake it is stunning. We did this hike in July in the evening time. There was plenty of shade and a cool breeze that made it enjoyable. Be aware of the temperature before tackling this hike. There are a number of campable areas surrounding the lake. Hammocking is ideal due to the close clumping of trees all around the lake.

• 

  Hannah W.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 5, 2020

  East Fork Cxts-Dispersed Site Camping Area

  Right on the river!

  These sites are on the old highway to Yellow Pine. There are 7 of them with two pit toilets. Sites are right on the water overlooking the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River. The road is narrow, so I would not suggest a big camper or rv in this area. The sites only consist of a fire ring a d a small parking area, but they are free.

• 

  Easton S.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 17, 2019

  Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

  Second annual

  Liked it enough to come back. Had a huge group and multiple dogs in the group site. Very clean camp area. Extremely reasonable prices. Bathrooms are really dirty. Water for drinking is available just a short walk or really short drive. Nice fire pits. Close to water for playing in. There are some towns nearby. Would recommend just use the woods whenever possible.

• 

  Easton S.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 24, 2019

  Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

  Lots of trees

  There is a lot of space in each camp. Not much land in between each camp so be courteous. Good drinking water. A fairly dirty pit bathroom. I’m pretty sure it’s pet friendly. You can walk to the reservoir. The beach is very rocky.

• 

  Hanah O.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 9, 2019

  Mann Creek Recreation Area

  Cute

  I’d go back here for sure nice person runs the place and the lots are big enough you don’t hear your neighbors.

• K

  Kiwi S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 20, 2019

  Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

  Absolutely beautiful

  Great fishing, great sights. Plenty of off-road trails.

• 

  Courtney R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 1, 2018

  East Fork Cxts-Dispersed Site Camping Area

  Camping by the river

  9 great sites along the river, fire rings, CTX toilets and down the road from Yellowpine where you can get a beer and use WiFi.

• L

  Laurie W.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 6, 2018

  Mann Creek Recreation Area

  Fishing and more

  Has designated campsites and primitive large campsites if you are willing to drive in a ways. Its a wonderful place to camp or just spend time fishing the day away.

  No fire rings are in the primitive area so if you want fire and there is a ban your out of luck. Very limited shade

• D

  Denise L.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 30, 2018

  Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

  Beautiful Sunsets on a mountain lake.

  Once you turn off Hywy 95 on to Lost Valley Reservoir Road (about 16 miles North of Council), you will reach a Y in the well kept gravel road. If you turn left, you will come to Cold Spring Campground. There are RV/trailer and tent sites available for a small daily fee. There are campfire sites, hiking trails, toilets and water from a hand pump. You will need to pack out your own garbage as there are no dumpsters. Not a bad place but you are still about 1/2 mile away from the Lost Valley Reservoir.

  If you return to the Lost Valley Reservoir road, you can continue on to the Reservoir. After about 1/2 mile, you will see the lake off to your right. There are camp sites all along this stretch of the lake with direct access to the lake. A few sites have a common outhouse with no running water. Along this side of the lake there is also a boat launch area, but I believe this is a 'No Wake Lake'. Check local burn bans, and pack your garbage out.

  The road continues along the lake edge and over a small dam. There are several small, dirt access roads that lead to the lakes edge with camping sites at the end of each. Several roads are VERY rough and have deep ruts in them, and I personally wouldn't risk driving them without a vehicle that has plenty of clearance.

  The lake is small and as the summer progresses and water is drained from the reservoir, it shrinks. I prefer camping here until about the 1st or 2nd week of August. After this, the water levels drop drastically and green algae begins to accumulate around the lakes edge. There are small perch for fishing, but I did not catch any big enough to keep. We camped here in mid-July this year and had a campfire each night.

  Beautiful views, great hiking, refreshing water, and several families had ATV's. Huckleberries are usually ripe 1st/2nd weeks of August. Very relaxing. Enjoy.