Tent camping options near Lewiston, Idaho include several established sites located within driving distance from the city. The region sits at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers in an area ranging from 740 to 2,800 feet elevation. Summer temperatures in the Lewiston area regularly exceed 90°F from June through August, with cooler conditions at higher-elevation campgrounds like Teal and Alder Thicket.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Teal Campground provides access to several trails within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. "I honestly wasn't really sure what to expect when coming to this campground. It is pretty small, only has about 7 campsites. We went because we wanted to do a few hikes around the area, which I definitely recommend," reports one Teal visitor.
Wildlife observation: Numerous birds and small mammals frequent the campgrounds in the region. According to a camper at Kamiak Butte County Park, "So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families."
Educational experiences: Visit the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery for a family-friendly activity. "The fish hatchery is a really fun educational stop. It's suitable for all ages. If you go at the right time of the year they have hands on activities for the whole family," notes a visitor to Dworshak National Fish Hatchery.
What campers like
Regional views: The landscape around Lewiston offers unique vistas of the Palouse region. A Kamiak Butte visitor shares, "I grew up camping here and after traveling the world I can say this park and the view from the top still take my breath away."
Weather advantages: Camping areas near Lewiston often provide warmer conditions than surrounding regions. At Boyer Park Campground, one camper noted it's a "Nice area to go in the spring because it's generally 10 degrees warmer than Spokane."
Quiet settings: Many sites offer peaceful environments away from crowds. At Alder Thicket Campground, a visitor mentioned it was "basic, but no crowd," making it suitable for those seeking solitude during tent camping near Lewiston.
What you should know
Limited services: Many campgrounds in the area have minimal amenities. At Blyton Landing, a camper warns, "Super pretty, gets real cold at night. Very convenient stop between pullman/moscow and clarkston/lewiston. The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise."
Toilet facilities: Most campgrounds offer basic toilet options. Big Springs Campground provides "Dry camping with vault toilets. Each site has picnic tables and fire pits."
Supply planning: Remote locations require thorough preparation. A Teal camper advises, "Make sure to bring everything you possibly need because the nearest town is Pomeroy, WA and they didn't really have many grocery shopping options. So get all your necessities beforehand! Pomeroy is about an hour away from the Teal Spring Campground."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds include recreational facilities for children. A visitor to Kamiak Butte County Park mentioned "Very nice playground in the day use area."
Safety considerations: Water access points require supervision. At Big Eddy Marina & Lodge, a camper cautions about swimming conditions: "It is possible to get to the water (if you have a hydration filter pack), but it's not a beach like shore. I did swim, and the water gets very deep very quickly off the first two campsites."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates. Kamiak Butte County Park costs "$15 a night plus $5 for an extra car," according to one visitor, making it an economical option for the best tent camping near Lewiston, Idaho.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry points. At Bezona, a visitor described it as "No real sites, gravel lot alongside river, pit toilets," indicating limited formal camping infrastructure.
Four-wheel drive requirements: Certain campgrounds have difficult approaches. A Teal camper shared, "I have pulled a 30 foot camper into this campground, you will want a 4 wheel drive to pull your camper the entrance is intimidating, it's steep but passable with 4x4 when towing a camper."
Campsite capacity: Consider space requirements when selecting sites. At Kamiak Butte County Park, a camper 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."
