Mountain View and Bull Trout Lake Campground near Lowman house glamping sites overlooking pristine waters of the Payette River and Bull Trout Lake. These locations feature canvas accommodation options with picturesque water views, providing more comfort than traditional camping while maintaining a connection to nature. Most glamping units include raised platforms, comfortable bedding, and sturdy weather-resistant canvas walls that stand up to mountain weather conditions. Sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grates, and access to clean vault toilets. Some locations offer drinking water access while others require guests to bring their own. Many units provide easy lake or river access directly from the site. According to a visitor, "We had a lakefront spot, tons of trees around, and enough space to have privacy from other campsites. We had a beautiful view of the lake. It was so peaceful."
Waterfront glamping experiences dominate the region with sites positioned along the South Fork of the Payette River or Bull Trout Lake. The shallow waters of Bull Trout Lake make it perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking, while the Payette River offers white water rafting opportunities. Several local companies provide equipment rentals and guided tours. Hiking trails wind through the surrounding Boise National Forest, providing opportunities for wildlife viewing – guests regularly report seeing bald eagles, chipmunks, and various bird species. The remote location offers exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. One guest noted, "This campground is remote, no cell phone signal and that's what we were looking for. We were able to disconnect, relax and reset!" Most glamping sites in the area operate seasonally from late May through early September due to mountain weather conditions.
"Nice wooded campground with some sites adjacent to Payette river. One paved lane in/out with loop at end. Fairly level gravelled pads with picnic tables, tent pads and fire pits."
"Nice paved drive on our site, a big groomed flat spot for a tent, a nice fire pit with cooking grate, and sturdy picnic table. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $40 / night
"The river is nearby but there is no real access here. Go down the road a bit and you will have some nice water access."
"the summer of 2017. it didn’t look like much as we pulled up, because there were a lot of trees that had been burned in a recent fire. however, we had a lot of fun. we discovered the river that ran behind"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 - $24 / night
"Camping in walking a short distance to float the river"
"This place is such a fun weekend getaway, it's far enough to get some peace and quiet, yet it is also close enough to where you can be in the mountains with a short drive"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $12 / night
"We were originally booking in an equestrian site but we don't own horses the camp host left us a little sticky note (there is not cell service) on the fence when we arrived to let us know that our campsite"
"However, it was within walking distance of the water for swimming and fishing. Also VERY clean toilets!
Other than it was hot mid-day, it was beautiful, plus an amazing hiking trail is close too."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 - $75 / night
"This is a conveniently located campground near all the amenities of Idaho City. Miles of forest for hiking, exploring and fishing. "
from $35 / night
"This is a small campground right off Highway 55 and across from the Payette River. There are 4 small campgrounds right in a row near here. There is plenty of shade and pretty good privacy. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $120 / night
"Up near the top of the pass is Bench Creek campground. There are only 6 sites on this lollipop loop, all on the non-highway side. But you can hear the highway from everywhere in the campground."
"Close to the road so you get a little road noise. Nice small quiet campground. Wasn’t to busy when visited. Got starlink but no Verizon service. Clean sites and nicely paved."
"The river side is nice with campsites close to the river while the other side is just a street crossing away. Both are very similar otherwise. "
"Primitive campsite near the river. Vault toilets were kept clean. Fire pits."
GuideSnagged a site on the river,#22! Of course, being here off season helped. Absolutely gorgeous. There is no fee October to May, but they close the gate when the first snow comes. (According to the camp host,whose last day was Oct 4, 2026)
TravelerI’d give 4.5 stars if possible. Great location to break up the trip between Boise and Lewiston.
Lots of fun stuff to do: good swimming beach with the ability to check out canoes and kayaks (life jackets available for loan was a big deal since our 7&9 year olds forgot to pack theirs), sand volleyball, big bonfire ring near the beach, benches and picnic tables along the water access, lots of access to fishing within walking distance. Big rocks along the water that our daughter really enjoyed scrambling along, and we laid across them to watch the meteor shower.
Sites are big and easy to park our 36’ camper, easy check in, cute little store with firewood for sale. Staff were courteous and helpful.
Bathroom was clean, we didn’t use the shower.
The only thing I could complain about is that our picnic table was not in the best shape, but we swapped out for our neighbor’s since the site showed as available for the only night we were going to stay.
GuideWe stopped at Salmon River Campground for one night and found it to be a decent place to rest while traveling through the area. A note for fellow campers: although some websites mention this campground as being free, it is not. We paid$22 per night for our stay. The campground listing says sites are first come, first served, but we heard from other campers that some of the riverfront sites can actually be reserved online, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re hoping for a spot along the water. We arrived around 3:00 p.m. and managed to get the very last available site—Site 24. It wasn’t on the river, but rather in the overflow area across the road. While it wasn’t the most scenic location(more roadside than we usually prefer), it was surprisingly quiet overnight and worked perfectly fine for a quick stay.
We never met the campground host, but we did see him driving around regularly and checking on the sites, which was a nice touch. The bathrooms could have used a little more attention, but overall the campground was perfectly adequate for a one-night stop. Not our favorite campground of the trip, but it served its purpose and would be a reasonable option if you need a place to stay while exploring the Salmon River area. Next time we would try to get a spot on the river.
ScoutWe had spoken to the management about hosting 11 months before we arrived for the summer. Sent the paperwork and called to make sure everything was good to go several times. Upon arrival we are told we were never told we would be hired and that we would have to pay the monthly rate. The manager kept saying “I didn’t make a mistake! You would have gotten a packet”. None of this was ever mentioned and we drove our gas sucking Motorhome from Florida to Boise 2800 miles to find that there was no hosting opportunity. I was shocked and surprised. She said she didn’t like my attitude and asked us to leave. Her husband, a miserable man whose face has never known a smile was very confrontational and called my husband names. This all devolved into an ugly argument and left us with no place to call home for the summer. I had read that these people were not very nice but thought it may have just been sour grapes. It was not. It is all true. All of it. They have an F for a BBB rating and that’s before my complaint was made. This ruined my summer it my grandchildren as we had to go home after scrounging a day here and there at other campgrounds and paying premium prices. This I will never forgive. Don’t mess with my time with my grandchildren. Do not trust them with you vacation memories or family visits. Huge mistake. Don’t be next! Look on all the review sites you can find. They have bad reviews. They speak for themselves
GuideI stayed in the tent camping area which is also basically the dog run. You park in the lot then walk across a short bridge to a small lawn area with picnic tables to set up your tent. The RV area is really just a giant parking lot with RVs lined up side by side, nothing special. The bathrooms were being renovated, might be nicer in a few months.
ScoutNice wooded campground with some sites adjacent to Payette river. One paved lane in/out with loop at end. Fairly level gravelled pads with picnic tables, tent pads and fire pits. We liked the steel campstove/griddle/bbq pedestals for cooking. Most sites are fairly well separated. We were able to get the last first come/first served site on a Saturday in late June. Ok for our 29’ fifth wheel, but over 32’ would be pretty tight to back in to some of the spots
RangerGreat access to the greenbelt. Fantastic walking to anything you need. Worst showers, laundry and bathrooms than anywhere I’ve been. They don’t take care of them for how much money the obviously bring in. Overpriced, cramped and gross. Does the job for a few days though.
GuideHad a great weekend - the site was roughly 20 yards from the river so it was perfect. All the sites are kept clean (gravel) and have vault toilets throughout. First impression when you pull in? It looks bare and small but, the farther you drive in, the more appealing it becomes.
Only glitch in the weekend was an impromptu concert put on by a lady next to us. High pitched with what sounded like singing in tongues. But I guess each to their own…
ScoutThe staff at Smiley Lodge were super helpful and nice when I asked to check in early, and then needed to check out a couple hours late unexpectedly. The location is convenient just off the highway, and the sites were clean, easy to get into, and the hookups all worked great. With that said, $100 a night felt pretty steep for essentially a grass parking lot off the side of the highway.
The Lowman area sits at approximately 3,800 feet elevation in the Boise National Forest, featuring a mix of ponderosa pine forests and riverside terrain along the South Fork of the Payette River. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F at night to 85°F during day, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Most glamping sites near Lowman require advanced reservations during peak season, with some locations fully booked three months in advance.
Whitewater rafting excursions: Several outfitters operate on the Payette River near Mountain View. According to Jennifer T., "Consider rafting with Payette River company 208-720-7039. They are awesome and take rafts out at the end of this campground."
Fishing for trout: The Salmon River provides excellent angling opportunities near Salmon River Campground. Nick P. shares, "I am not the best fisherman but the water up there is so clear with a ton of fish! I was able to catch several trout and eat them!"
Wildlife viewing: Bald eagles frequent the waterways. One visitor to Mountain View noted, "Bald eagle flying up and down river!" while others report chipmunks, birds, and occasional larger mammals throughout the forested areas.
Hot springs exploration: Natural hot springs are accessible within short driving distances. Cece H. mentions that near Mountain View there are "bathrooms and potable water. Hot springs nearby."
Privacy between sites: Many luxury camping options near Lowman offer well-spaced accommodations. At Bull Trout Lake Campground, campers appreciate the layout: "We had a lakefront spot, tons of trees around, and enough space to have privacy from other campsites. All of the campsites we've seen were very spacious."
Direct water access: Several campgrounds provide immediate lake or river access. Beth D. from Mountain View reports: "Our site was right on the Payette River, and we enjoyed watching some inflatable boats go by. Pit toilets were highly acceptable, and we could also wade right into the shallows of the river."
Disconnecting from technology: The remote setting means limited connectivity. As one Bull Trout Lake visitor noted, "This campsite is remote, no cell phone signal and that's what we were looking for. We were able to disconnect, relax and reset!"
Level camping surfaces: Many sites offer well-maintained areas for setting up accommodations. One camper at Bench Creek Campground observed, "Clean sites and nicely paved," while Annie C. noted at Helende Campground, "Everything is very flat here so no worries about finding a level site."
Road noise varies by location: Some glamping sites near Lowman experience highway sounds. Annie C. mentions about Bench Creek: "Up near the top of the pass is Bench Creek campground. There are only 6 sites on this lollipop loop, all on the non-highway side. But you can hear the highway from everywhere in the campground."
Limited services: Most locations have basic amenities only. At Helende Campground, Annie C. reports: "The campground is clean and maintained, with the usual picnic tables and fire pits. No dedicated tent pads, but lots of cushy pine needles for under your tent."
Weather preparedness: Mountain conditions can change quickly, with temperature swings of 40°F between day and night common in summer months.
Reservation systems: Bull Trout Lake has specific check-in procedures: "The campground manager came around everyday to check on the sites and she made sure only those who had a reservation were there."
Shallow water activities: Bull Trout Lake offers safe water play areas for children. According to reviews, "The lake is shallow and perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking."
Kid-friendly biking: Some glamping areas provide dedicated cycling spaces. One camper at Bull Trout notes, "There's a small area for kids to go biking around these campsites."
Wildlife education opportunities: Families can observe various species in their natural habitat. Miles G. shares an experience near Bull Trout: "Still lots of trout in the pond and saw about an Osprey catch fish every morning."
Pack adequate supplies: The remote location means limited access to stores. As a Bull Trout visitor warns, "The closest grocery store and gas station is about 45 minutes from the campground so make sure you have everything you need, unless you plan on driving around!"
Site sizing considerations: RV accommodation varies significantly between locations. At River Side, Randy I. advises: "We stayed in site #5 with a 30' trailer, there was plenty of room for my truck and trailer in this site. The other sites would be tight with a trailer this size."
Road condition awareness: Many access roads require careful driving. A Bull Trout visitor cautions: "The roads are not paved so make sure your tires are in good conditions so you don't get a flat. You would be on your own cuz there is no cell signal until you are back on the road."
Leveling requirements: Bench Creek offers favorable conditions according to Zach P.: "Clean sites and nicely paved." However, other locations may require leveling equipment.
Seasonal access limitations: Most luxury camping options operate only during warmer months, typically late May through early September, with some locations closing earlier depending on weather conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Lowman, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Lowman, ID is Mountain View with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 23 glamping camping locations near Lowman, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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