Best RV Parks near Lava Hot Springs, ID

Recent RV Reviews In Lava Hot Springs

302 Reviews of 86 Lava Hot Springs Campgrounds

• 

  Michael

  Scout

  

  September 1, 2024

  Snake River Vista Recreation Site

  Great Spot!

  Great location just a few minutes off the highway with multiple sites. Offers great views of the river and several prebuilt fire rings around the area as well. 4 x 4 recommended to get down to some of the lower spots, but there’s sites up top as well that would be suitable for 2-Wheel drive vehicles. Bring bug spray if you visit in the hotter months

• L

  Leonard S.

  Traveler

  

  August 15, 2024

  Snake River Vista Recreation Site

  Massive confusion and deep ruts

  I don't know how people are finding the beautiful places they show here. I used the GPS coordinates from here and it led me to a maze of twisted little passages. Very deeply rutted roads challenging me and my 4wd led to a complex of turns and turnarounds. The only road that appeared to lead down to the river was dirt at about 45 degrees. There are many ways to go and I don't know how to could know which to take. Must be dumb luck to find a pretty place by the river.

  So, I left and went to the location that the BLM website gives for this named place. It's not the same place. The official location of this place is farther west. That is poorly identified, too. There's a signed turnoff but down the road there's a "Y". I went right. That led to confusion and nasty flies going into my nose and eyes. I left.

  Looking at the map later it appears that I should have gone LEFT at the "Y" instead of right. I have no idea what that's like.

  Basically, this place has many roads that intersect and go to unknown places. I don't know why there are so many roads, circles, "Y"s, along the river, perpendicular to the river.

  The BLM website isn't helpful. I called them and expected a call back but didn't get it.

  I wouldn't go here without one of the people here who submitted great reviews with beautiful photos. It's not worth the confusing directions (both my Garmin RV GPS and Google Maps were wrong in different places) and ambiguity of destinations.

• A

  Anthony B.

  Guide

  

  August 11, 2024

  Scout Mountain Campground

  Beautiful

  Great camp ground with spring nearby

• 

  MickandKarla W.

  Legend

  

  August 7, 2024

  Lava Hot Springs East KOA

  Nice KOA-Poor RV Sites Design

  The KOA is just off US-30, so easy to find. Our GPS and Waze did not have the exact address, but you can easily see the KOA sign coming in from the east. We were traveling with another couple and there were basically two marked check-in spaces. You have to pay attention to where you position your rig so you don't block office car parking. We had reserved a premium K-9 site and were assigned site 102 at check-in. Site 102 was 1 of 3 premium sites next to the office. The problem with site 102 was 1) there was a truck parked there with no owner in sight, 2) trees that would have scraped the top of our 5th wheel, and 3) a very difficult and tight back-in swing on this 90-degree site with our 40' rig. You need to be an expert backer, or very lucky, to clear the trees at the entrance of this site if you're in a larger rig. Sites 100 and 101 do not have these same obstacles and with the river view, are arguably the best sites in the park. We went back into the office to request a different site and were assigned a non K-9 premium back-in site, 200, in their new area. We would have enjoyed the original site as it does have a nice river view. Sites were under construction in the 200 area and each site is highlighted by 7-inch high and 6-inch wide cement curbs. Whoever designed much of this CG did not understand RVs. It was challenging to back into your site as there are also cement barriers to protect the sewer hookups off the curbs in front of sites on the adjacent pull-through sites. We almost tore off a snap pad getting too close to a curb as the curbs are not sloped to prevent this and based on the markings, a lot of tires have fallen victim to these curbs. Also, we had to be very careful going up and down our steps as you have the curb there as well. While we were getting into our site, a 45’ class A was trying to get into pull-through site 221 across from us. Just trying to make the turn onto this row, he ran his rear tires up on the curb around the shower/laundry facility. He still had his toad attached and had to disconnect it to avoid damaging his vehicle. Hopefully, the management of this park will mark that site for shorter rigs as he also had problems clearing the curbs when departing his site. Their free Wifi was decent. We got 3 bars on Verizon and no issues getting a shot to the north sky for Starlink as there are no mature trees in this new area. There are plenty of other CG options in the area, so we will not stay here again. The main positive of this CG is the staff. They were friendly and accommodating when we requested to change sites. They also credited us the diffrence in cost since we didn't get the K-9 site, without us asking for the credit.

• 

  Evan W.

  Guide

  

  August 3, 2024

  McTucker Ponds Park

  Nice spot, lots of spots, most on the pondfront

  Nice little area with plenty of random spots. There is an outhouse at the entrance - probably a 10-20 minute walk from any site, but nice to have. There were some dumpsters when I was there for garbage too which was nice.

  Water in the ponds looked a bit scummy, too bad - would be nice for a swim otherwise! Good spot to spend a night while passing through.

• C

  Colyer D.

  Guide

  

  July 30, 2024

  Snake River Vista Recreation Site

  Stunner

  Such easy access off 86, so it’s the perfect pull out for a road trip. We were traveling from Colorado to Oregon and found this spot late in the evening of our 2nd day and couldn’t have been happier. We rolled in amongst the thunderstorms, which blew over just in time for a beautiful sunset. There was a little noise from the road, but once we crawled in the tent it was hard to distinguish the traffic noise from that of the river.

  Very clean, lots of spots, 10 out of 10 would stay here again.

• 

  Brett T.

  Traveler

  

  July 29, 2024

  Lower portneuf campground

  Great Campground, Loud Trains

  The campground itself is nice. Nice spots, beautiful river and waterfalls, and close to Lava Hot springs. The trains; however, were a drag at night. Not many ran during the day but at night we counted 8 that went by. The tracks are only about 100’ from most of the spots. The real kicker is, because there’s a crossing to get into the campground, the trains blast their horn literally right as they pass you. Like excessively so, unnecessarily so. It was not a great nights sleep.

• 

  andy B.

  Traveler

  

  July 11, 2024

  Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

  Nice stop

  Nice stop, road is a little rough, but other than that it was great

• 

  Curtis W.

  Guide

  

  July 6, 2024

  Twin Springs Campground

  Primitive Campground, dry, filled with Grass and Sagebrush

  This review is from July 2024, and it appears to have been a dry year.

  I found the campground over run with Red Currant Bushes which were full of mature fruit.  There was also a lot of Crested Wheatgrass and Sagebrush.  The 5 campsites are still in good repair, but due to the Red Currant Bushes, access to the springs area was difficult if not impossible.  The Springs themselves, due to the low water table were all but dried up, with only a small puddle of water marking each one.  The water pump is still missing it's handle, and is now dry, so no water could be pumped.  There was a moose present when I was there, but he was down in the outflow area, and did not seem interested in anything but lying down there.  The Vault toilet was clean, odor free, and well maintained.

  I cannot recommend this campground for mid summer or fall.

• 

  Rich J.

  Ranger

  

  July 5, 2024

  Lava Hot Springs East KOA

  O.K.

  Bathrooms and showers are very clean, some sites are widely space, but some are crammed together, otherwise, a typical KOA.  EXCEPT it is expensive and they add on extra fees for people, pets, and vehicles; never stayed at a KOA that does this.  Oh, the road noise is pretty bad also.

• 

  John L.

  Scout

  

  June 26, 2024

  Montpelier Canyon Campground

  Not Too Bad, Needs Some Maintenance

  Narrow road and short driveways, not suited for large rigs. Some sites are overgrown. The best sites are in the 6-16 loop. No trash receptacle but the Oregon/California Trail Center in town has one and an RV dump too. Campground is only about 3 miles from Montpelier ID. I had no cell signal on Verizon.

• 

  MickandKarla W.

  Legend

  

  June 19, 2024

  Caribou Highlands Golf & RV

  What a Find

  We were in the Lava Hot Springs, ID area and when traveling US-30, we saw a sign for Caribou Highlands Golf & RV. We had to check out a golf course with an RV park. When you turn off US-30 at the sign, it will be a hard-packed dirt road and you go straight until you see golf course signage and follow them to the course. You will first come to the campground (CG) area where the 10 pull-through sites with FHUs (30/20 AMP). Check-in is at the clubhouse which is about 100 yards from CG. The pull-throughs are long enough for big rigs. A few of the sites have large trees so you will want to watch your sides and roof. There's a bathhouse building. There are no picnic tables at the sites. The cost per night when we were there was $42. During the week its pretty wide open but they do fill up on the weekends. Reservations are made on Campspot. The golf course is a 9-hole links style. They also have a driving range.

• 

  Curtis W.

  Guide

  

  June 17, 2024

  Twin Springs Campground

  primitive campground with limited facilities, Historic site with campsites,

  This review was from a visit in May of 2014, See my other review for July 2024

  Twin Springs, a stop on Hudspeth's cutoff on the Oregon Trail was an important stop because it was the only stop that had water for 22 mlles.

    The road leading to Twin Springs is an oiled road until you reach the trail head. 

   There are 5 sites located in Twin Springs, each with it's own table. benches, fire pit and awning. The tables and benches are sturdy painted wood, the fire pit is a cement square with an iron grate on top and open at one side.    Located between sites 1 and 2 is the vault toilet.  Bring your own toilet paper as there is none supplied.  The sites are on the outside of the central loop about 340 feet long with  an old water pump  in the center of the loop. the handle of the pump is gone, but you can pull the central rod up and down and it will pump.  To the north and east, of the south end of the loop the ground slopes down to the 2 springs that the campground is named for.  South west of the campground is Rock Creek, a small stream.  There are lots of birds, and small animals around and a lot of wild flowers.  The camp is isolated and generators should be no problem.  There is no internet of any kind, just a nearby cell tower for cell phones.  The camp is best in Spring and early summer, and brown and dry, and less pleasant in late summer and fall.  

  NOTE:  these pictures are from 2012

• 

  Reed G.

  Traveler

  

  June 17, 2024

  Snake River Vista Recreation Site

  Beautiful

  Roads are rough but the area is pretty. Next to the river and multiple spots available.

• 

  Valorie H.

  Traveler

  

  June 16, 2024

  Malad Summit Campground

  Hidden Gem near Malad

  I love summit campground. If you go up the hill past the turnoff for the campground there are five different dispersed camping spots that are Free! There is a lovely little babbling brook that runs through the whole canyon. The mosquitos can be intense. There is a lot of great trails for hiking. There is cute waterfall. I come here often just to say camp and hammock. It is 20 mins from my home. They stock the river the weekend before memorial day with trout. It's where my kids all learned to fish. There is also a paid campground with bathrooms and water and picnic tables.

• m

  mark F.

  Ranger

  

  June 14, 2024

  Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park

  Right next to river tubing entrance

  On river with a short 2min walk to the entrance for tubing

• m

  mark F.

  Ranger

  

  June 14, 2024

  Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park

  Great in town location near everything

  The sites are very close to each other but the location in town next to the river, resturaunts and the hot springs pools is the reason to stay here. The river is not a lazy river float but an amazing short rapid filled 15 min rip through the towns river. There is a shuttle to bring you back to the drop in to do it over and over again or a short walk.

• 

  Nancy M.

  Guide

  

  June 5, 2024

  Oneida County Fairgrounds

  Nice quiet place

  This is a nice quiet place. Near city limits where there is places to buy groceries, gas, or go out to a restaurant. They have about 20 spots with electrical outlets. It would be good to call and ask if you can stay, where it is a fairgrounds.

• 

  Evan D.

  Scout

  

  May 28, 2024

  Lower portneuf campground

  Active train rail 100 yards away

  Level and fantastic site for an overnight stay. However, the train runs by and must blast the safety horn. Latest was, 11:30pm, earlier was 5am. So be prepare for that several times on an overnight stay

• A

  Aaron G.

  Scout

  

  May 9, 2024

  Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

  Passing through

  May 2024 - This is a good stopping point for those who are passing through. There is a Flying J truck stop on the opposite side of I-15. They have fuel, propane, dump station ($10) and water. The road into dispersed camping is full of pot holes so go slow with a Class A RV or if you have low clearance. The noise from the freeway is minimal. I would stay here again.

• 

  Evan W.

  Guide

  

  May 7, 2024

  Lower portneuf campground

  Nice, Simple camp area

  Visited in Early May in a bit of a sleet storm. Sites are relatively level - nice gravel. Seemed like most sites have fire rings. Pit toilet is located in the day-use area nearby. 

  Train tracks run right by the campsites - relatively loud when they come through, but didn't wake me up in the middle of the night. 

  Not bad for an easy, quick night.

• 

  Ryan G.

  Scout

  

  October 20, 2023

  Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

  Typical One Night Stand

  Close to highway, easy driven dirt road with plenty of flat spots to park. Good for one night while passing through.

• 

  Gentry B.

  Traveler

  

  October 5, 2023

  Beaver Creek

  Absolutely stunning place

  This place is straight up middle earth status. The drive there is beautiful all the way and my not-so-great clearance old subaru could handle the semi-sketchy roads required to get there. This place was pretty damn isolated which, if you’re like me, is a bonus. As aways, it seems like there are some of those OHV people lurking around but whatever they were few and far between. I am a bit thrown off by the pics provided by another Dyrt user as those pics don’t really look much like where I was, but maybe that’s due to their final destination differing than mine. I ultimately stopped at the (seemingly) now-defunct Beaver Creek campsite, an established site that has a bathroom. The thing saying there’s hookups or whatever for sure not true, there’s nothing here but a barren board upon entry, a fee box, and about 5 spots for sites. You can hike back into the forest on a trail at the back of the camp site. Absolutely insane views, forest for miles, owls, deer, you name it. I was tripping about the mosquito situation due to ultra close proximity to semi-standing water but there were almost none. BE FOREWARNED I did get bit by some jacked up mite whilst traipsing off-trail and got hella sick for a couple weeks and had to hit the antibiotics haaaard to get over it. So just bathe in insect repellant I guess ha. Also in regards to what other reviewers have said, idk where they were bc I legitimately do not know where you kayak here. There’s the creek but it’s not the sort of thing I’d imagine would be possible to kayak. I’m assuming it’s just some other part of the road I didn’t head down though so you should still go for it.

  Anyway, the place is gorgeous.

• 

  Cory M.

  Scout

  

  September 26, 2023

  Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

  Former Indian Rocks State Park

  This site is at an abandoned state park. The coordinates navigate just past the entrance and we got a bit confused at first. Mapping to Indian Rocks State Park will provide more accurate directions.

  The site is very accessible - the road is washboard with lots of potholes, slow going for us with a 24' travel trailer, but totally doable. Plenty of sites - we snagged a mostly level pull through and stayed hitched. Great views. Traffic noise isn't ideal, but fine for a quick stop.

• 

  Wendhy J.

  Traveler

  

  August 23, 2023

  Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access

  Great Star Gazing Spot!

  We almost didn't stay here because of the low reviews due to the train noise but we were in Lava Hot Springs and this was such a short drive up the road. We arrived pretty late and there were still spots available. We found one big enough for our 21ft travel trailer and vehicle. The site was pretty level too, which we appreciated. We stayed in the last one on the upper loop. The stars were SO bright! We've veen traveling for almost a month and stargazing last night was definitely one of my favorite moments. The train did come by before we went to bed. But we didn't hear it the rest of the night. I am a light sleeper but I do sleep with white noise on, so maybe that helped. The morning views were beautiful! Would definitely stay again!

• 

  Alan K.

  Traveler

  

  August 21, 2023

  Marijuana Flat Campground

  Dusty camping

  Open field just off the gravel road, close to small river, valet toilet on east side, 5 or 6 miles west of willow flats campground

• 

  Cyndy & Selena R.

  Guide

  

  August 20, 2023

  Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

  Safe overnight stopping spot

  This is a safe spot for overnight. Nice views of mountains. There is highway noise. Camper trailers can manueuver without difficulty. TMobile works here.