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Tent camping near Lapwai, Idaho ranges from trail-accessible primitive sites to shoreline campsites along Dworshak Reservoir, with options concentrated near Dworshak State Park. The Mini Camp sites along the Big Eddy trail offer tent-only camping opportunities accessible by hiking or boat. Blyton Landing and Kamiak Butte County Park provide additional tent camping locations, with the latter situated in Washington just north of the Idaho border.
Most primitive tent sites near Dworshak require either boat access or hiking in from trailheads. Campers should bring all necessary supplies as amenities are minimal at these remote locations. The tent-only Mini Camps feature basic facilities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, but no drinking water. A visitor commented, "This is a backpacking trail with free dispersed camping sites starting after 4.5 miles down the trail." Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at most locations, and firewood collection policies vary by site.
Tent camping in this region offers natural seclusion not available at developed RV campgrounds. The Mini Camp sites are spaced along the Big Eddy trail, providing privacy between campsites. One camper noted, "The first half mile is difficult but then the trail levels out and is easy for many miles." Several locations feature direct water access to Dworshak Reservoir, though shorelines can be steep. Forest cover provides shade at most tent sites, particularly at Kamiak Butte County Park where tent pads are among the trees. Wildlife encounters are common, especially in the more remote backcountry tent camping areas. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly during spring and fall, requiring proper tent setup and rain protection.
"The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise. Very clean, will absolutely be going again."
"This is a backpacking trail. The first half mile is difficult but then the trail levels out and is easy for many miles. There’s free dispersed camping sites starting after 4.5 miles down the trail."
"Approx. 4 1/4mi from Big Eddy and 4 7/8mi from Freeman Creek, this spot sits perfectly off the Bid Eddy trail."
from $10 / night
"Another private off-shoot from the Big Eddy trail, mini camp 4.8 is first come first served and a highly sought after spot."
from $10 / night
"This is an easy 1mi hike from Big Eddy Recreation area on the Big Eddy trail."
from $10 / night
"Little wind coverage during the day though it’s very private with quite a distance off the Big Eddy trail to get down to the waterside spot."
from $10 / night
"We stayed in site #4 which was right at the end with glimpses of the Palouse through the trees and lots of space. You could easily set up 2 tents there. It was $15 a night plus $5 for an extra car."
"Plenty of space Fe our vehicle, a fire pit and grill area. Just overall a great experience."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"I had no trouble finding just the right spot to set up my gear. This area is not open for winter camping. I have found few that are though."
"Super easy access from the road, clean sites though somewhat close to neighboring sites. Awesome trails nearby for all levels"
LegendViews are spectacular. Little wind coverage during the day though it’s very private with quite a distance off the Big Eddy trail to get down to the waterside spot. Vaulted toilet, fire ring and a picnic table make for some comfy accommodations. Marker on trail (approximately 5 1/4mi hiking north from Bid Eddy or 3 7/8mi hiking south from Freeman Creek)
LegendWe drove in from the Washington side on a narrow unimproved road but only met one vehicle. Our views were into undulating hills of the Palouse farming region of Washington. We camped at the first campground in this Idaho state park close to the Washington border called Iron Mountain. There were two sites with a vault toilet. We chose site number two but both were very spacious. The road was right by our site but only one vehicle drove by, a dirt bike. It was so quiet there. You could see into both the forested hills of Idaho and the Palouse of Washington.
LegendThis is an easy 1mi hike from Big Eddy Recreation area on the Big Eddy trail. Ok, correction, challenging out of the gate with a fairly vertical start but levels out quickly and you’re suddenly submerged in the trees and lush ferns. This spot has a long walkway out from the main trail offering tons of privacy. Great shallow ramp for a boat and easy access the a dip is the res or to get your water to filter. Fire ring, picnic table and vault toilets make for a comfortable stay. The closest site to this is another 3ish miles north. Waters are spectacular shades of blue and the trees in the sunset are hard to beat!
GuideTake a night or two to visit this nearly unused campground. What a wonder. You are on the Ridgeline between two valleys with views of the horizons of 50 miles or more. To the east ot is very much like the views in the Smokey mountains. Not a lot of shade at this campground. Great for solar and Skylink. ATT and Verizon were 3 plus. Make certain the chores are done and the drinks are made before the light show begins at sundown. Vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Sites at this campground are reasonably flat and deep but not a lot of room for pop-ups.
Camping here is free.
My only criticism is the distance between signs on a very small road. A few more signs would be reassuring. For this campground, head generally south on Skyline Drive until you think you should be there, then go 2 more miles.
Central potable water by the privy.
TravelerWe were riding the Idaho BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) and needed a place to camp near Pierce. There aren't many options that are accessible for our Support Truck but found Deyo Reservoir as a welcome spot. The West sites are very open and close to each other and are what you see first. I kinda stumbled down to the East Campground which is more for Truck/Tent camping and is wooded and cooler (it was 95 degrees when we rode in). Typical for Idaho the sites were nicely spaced, well maintained (it is hosted) and the Vault Toilet was very clean.
GuideWe have come here to fish on several occasions but never camped! We tent camp and we enjoy semi-level ground, which we had! The bathrooms are pit but are kept very clean!
RangerThis was the prettiest campground we stayed in during an extensive road trip through Idaho. It was only half occupied during the end of June, so we enjoyed privacy and numerous bird songs. Care and creativity were used when building the sites; ours had tent sites on 2 levels, and another had little stairs carved into the dirt. Our site was very large and had very stately evergreen trees and a trail heading out. Sites for RVs seemed nice, too. There were clean vault toilets and a pump for potable water...all for $6. There's a nearby site (4 miles away) where garnets can be sluiced For at a Forest Service site. We didn't go there but maybe next time, as we are eager to return!
TravelerDry camping with vault toilets. Each site has picnic tables and fire pits.
GuideThis small, nicely maintained campground is first come first serve! No reservations! Nice clean bathroom with no showers! They have 3 unique elevated campsites with picnic tables! You will need cash or check to pay for your campsite!
Tent campsites near Lapwai, Idaho range from simple boat-in sites at Merrys Bay to more developed options at Kamiak Butte County Park. The region sits where the Snake River Plain meets the Columbia Plateau, with elevations between 800-3,000 feet creating varied camping environments. Summer temperatures typically reach the 80s during day and drop to the 50s at night.
Hiking opportunities: The Big Eddy Marina & Lodge area provides access to miles of scenic trails. "This is a backpacking trail. The first half mile is difficult but then the trail levels out and is easy for many miles," notes one camper who particularly enjoyed the rewarding views after the initial challenge.
Swimming spots: At Mini Camp 4.7, the water access provides excellent swimming during summer months. A camper reports: "Trees provide a bit of wind coverage though we enjoyed perfect 80s in the day and warm 50s temps in the night. Friendly little birds visited us regularly and excellent fishing off any of the sides you are surrounded by."
Wildlife viewing: Chipmunks and various bird species are common throughout the camping areas, especially at dawn and dusk. Take binoculars for spotting wildlife from a distance rather than approaching them directly.
Privacy between sites: Mini Camp 4.8 offers separation from neighboring campers. "Another private off-shoot from the Big Eddy trail, mini camp 4.8 is first come first served and a highly sought after spot. Perched a bit higher than the sites around it you'll find some wonderful views and privacy to set up your tent at the tree edge," writes one reviewer.
Water access: Several tent sites provide direct paths to Dworshak Reservoir. At Mini Camp 3.5, campers appreciate the "great shallow ramp for a boat and easy access the a dip is the res or to get your water to filter."
Clean facilities: Tent campers consistently mention the well-maintained condition of sites, particularly the vault toilets at Mini Camp locations. These basic but functional facilities include fire rings and picnic tables at most established sites.
Access challenges: Some campsites require significant effort to reach. Merrys Bay Campground has a "steep road leading down to camp" according to one visitor, though the destination is "very beautiful place for a picnic."
Limited amenities: Pack all necessary supplies including drinking water, as most remote sites lack potable water sources. At Mini Camp 5.0, you'll find "vaulted toilet, fire ring and a picnic table" but little else in terms of facilities.
Seasonal considerations: Spring access can be muddy with potential trail washouts. Fall brings cooler temperatures requiring warmer sleeping gear. The area experiences rapid temperature changes between day and night in all seasons.
Campground selection: Kamiak Butte County Park offers family-friendly amenities including a playground in the day use area. One camper notes it's "fairly cheap and good for families" with "running water and pit toilets on site. Very nice playground in the day use area."
Site spacing: Request sites with adequate room for multiple tents if camping with children. At Kamiak Butte, site #4 has "lots of space. You could easily set up 2 tents there."
Wildlife education: The numerous chipmunks at Kamiak Butte provide excellent wildlife viewing for children, though parents should supervise interactions and teach proper distance maintenance from all wildlife.
Size limitations: Most tent-focused areas near Lapwai have significant restrictions for larger vehicles. Blyton Landing is one of the few locations marked as "big-rig-friendly" though approach roads may still present challenges.
Accessibility concerns: RV campers report very limited options near Lapwai, with most suitable sites requiring advance planning. "Super pretty, gets real cold at night. Very convenient stop between pullman/moscow and clarkston/lewiston," notes one RVer about Blyton Landing.
Seasonal timing: RV sites are most accessible during summer months when roads are dry and maintained. Spring access can be problematic due to soft ground conditions, particularly at more remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lapwai, ID is Blyton Landing with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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