Camping near Lowman, Idaho centers around the Payette River Basin at an elevation of 3,800 feet. The camping season typically runs from late May through September due to winter snow conditions at higher elevations. Forest Service Road FR0215B offers several dispersed camping opportunities with established pullouts that accommodate larger vehicles.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Deadwood Campground, visitors can access excellent fishing spots directly from the campground. "Deadwood is deep in the mountains and the roads can be a bit rough. Wonderful place to kayak out and watch the osprey dive for dinner," notes Laurie W.
Hot springs exploration: Kirkham Campground provides access to multiple natural hot springs. "There are natural pools right along the campground itself, or if you want to hike down along the river, the natural pools of hot water come trickling off the hillside and pool up right next to the Payette River," explains Katie F.
Hiking trails: Several established trails start directly from campgrounds in the area. "There are trailheads that start right from within the campground. If you're lucky you might even hear a pack of wolves howling across the reservoir!" shares Simran D. about Deadwood Campground.
What campers like
Natural hot spring pools: The hot springs at Pine Flats Campground consistently rank as a top attraction. "I annually visit Pine Flats with great hot springs just a quick walk away. The sites are not too close to each other so if you go on a weekend you get some space away from other campers," says Rachel G.
Riverside camping: Many campsites at Mountain View offer direct river access. "Great sites lined up along the South Fork of the Payette River, pristine waters! Bathrooms and potable water. Hot springs nearby," writes Cece H.
Quiet weekday stays: Most campgrounds near Lowman experience significantly lower usage midweek. "Weekday camping does not have a lot of other campers so you can get the place to yourself," observes Rachel G. about Pine Flats.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful navigation. "The drive out to Deadwood is only open a few months of the year. While the road out can be a little rough, the campground is well worth it. Four wheel drive is recommended," advises Simran D.
Seasonal limitations: Water levels affect hot spring accessibility at most locations. "During the winter you have to hike in because the bridge is closed. The pools are right on the water and hot year round," notes Danielle R. about Kirkham Campground.
Vault toilet conditions: Facility maintenance varies throughout the season at Bonneville. "The vault toilet was soooo clean and stocked well with toilet paper too (a surprise for us!). I should also add - there's no noise from the highway because it's set back from the road probably 1/4 mile," shares Kait.
Tips for camping with families
Best family-friendly sites: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. "We love Deadwood. It's far enough that it's not overly crowded. Most camp spots have sandy beach access and feel private. I like that I can reserve a spot so I know there's room for my camper trailer," explains Tammara L.
Water safety considerations: River conditions can change rapidly throughout the season. "The river is pretty fast at the campground, so swimming isn't advisable. There is a nice hiking trail that leads to the hot springs, a very nice benefit of this campground," warns Mike W. about Pine Flats.
Recreation options: Park Creek Campground offers diverse activities beyond the campsite. "This place has some good areas for hiking and mountain biking. This place does have a lot of black bears so make sure you put tassels and bells on your bike before venturing off into the woods," advises Bren M.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should carefully consider campground locations. "Site was level, easy to backin Fairly shady. Far enough off the highway to kiss most of the traffic noise. Nice place to disconnect from electronics and relax," shares Phillip C. about Pine Flats.
Limited hookups: Most campgrounds near Lowman lack full RV services. "There are no hookups or dump station, so this is a weekend site for most. There is a water spigot to get water from, and a couple of small outhouses," notes Mike W. about Mountain View.
Dispersed options: For self-contained RVs, Forest Service Campsite FR0215B offers free alternatives. "Large open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents," explains Sadie P.
