Best Cabin Camping near Lava Hot Springs, ID

We had scouted T1 campsite at the KOA Holiday in Lava Hot Springs. This campground runs along the creek and is directly across from Mary’s Campground. Site T1 is for a family of 2 maybe 3 but it’s large enough for 2 medium size tents and 1 large one and our canopy. The site itself is surrounded by water and even has a small water fall that you could sit in as if it were a small hot tub size. This KOA is clean and friendly staff. They do have a store for some basic supplies and sell firewood. Not only are there tent sites but also have RV sites, cabins camp and large family size cabins. They have bathrooms/showers and a large playground for young kids. This KOA is within walking distance to Lava Hot Springs Main Street which has places to eat, hot pools, stores, ice cream place and more. Definitely would stay at this KOA again and again.

Cold winter months and you need to get away? Wow we rented a cabin three times this last winter. Great little cabins with bathrooms the hot pools were 100 feet away and a heated swimming pool. In the summer time the pool is nice and cold and there are water slides. There is RV and tent sites as well as group sites and 3 small cabins, 3 medium cabins and three large cabins/houses. They also have several yurts. This year they also have covered wagons you can stay in(cute idea on a tent cabin). The staff is friendly and courteous. There is a small cafe and store. There is a restaurant that has a great sirloin dinner if you call ahead to make dinner reservations. Over all a great place to camp summer or winter.

We had stayed in cabin Coyote on the lower loop and even though the view was beautiful the area around was unpleasant. No trees, no shade at all. Thankfully we had our canopy! The cabin itself was nice, had a futon, bunk bed (twin on top, full on bottom), had a window a/c, heater, table and 2 folding chairs. A mini frige and a stand to store items under he frige. The front porch had a cute little chair and it must of been made for kids because it was super low to the ground. We did have to bring our own bedding. The cabins had enough lighting and was clean. The bathrooms were across the way and they too were clean and well taken care of. Showers were super ok and clean. Next time we will try and get the one next to it which is Cottontail. Shade and trees on that site.

For $30 a night this camping site is a real deal! The site is well maintained, and the A-frame cabin on the site was perfect for our family of 5. The cabin and campsite has no electricity and no water, so you need to pack it all in. Its nice to have a chance to get away from technology and enjoy the outdoors. It is about an hour + to get somewhere where you can get water or other supplies, so you will need to plan accordingly.

Pros: remote, peaceful, quiet. Some nice trails nearby for hiking and mountain biking and ATVs. Also there is a stream that runs along the road to the cabin that is available for fishing. Also, although there are other campsites along the road to the guard station, once at the cabin (about 1/4 off the main forest road), you don't even know there are other people around.

Cons: When we were there LOTS of mosquitos, the forest service road to the guard station gate is a little rough in some places. For those without AWD or 4WD might have a hard time in places.

Sites are intermixed with RV and tents, but I’d say your best bet is trailer or RV or even renting one of the cabins there as the sites are within earshot of the highway. The Sagebrush cabin has a gorgeous view of the river and is close to the bathrooms which were clean and had showers as well. The cabin had a futon as well as a bunk bed; it had electricity and was very clean, but you do have to walk to the bathrooms. Since it’s a state park, you will have to pay an access fee but it’s not bad. There is a great disc golf course here as well and the state park has some neat historical points nearby to include Register Rock. Must visit!