1 campground with availability next weekend
Several RV campgrounds serve the Mackay, Idaho region, with options ranging from downtown full-hookup parks to big-rig-friendly sites farther afield. Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park in downtown Mackay provides full hookups with 50-amp service on level sites that accommodate larger rigs. Just 15 miles southeast in Moore, Moose Crossings RV Park features both 30 and 50-amp electrical connections, full hookup sites, and gravel pads suitable for RVs of various sizes. One visitor noted, "Nice, clean and very welcoming hosts. Our pull through with water and electricity was under $50 for the night." For those willing to travel slightly farther, Joe T. Fallini Campground near Challis offers paved RV sites with water and 30-amp electrical hookups at Mackay Reservoir, while Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA provides big-rig friendly full-service RV sites with 50-amp connections about 30 miles south.
Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with limited connectivity at most RV parks. AT&T users report decent coverage at Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA but virtually no service at Moose Crossings. Most RV campgrounds in the area remain open from spring through fall, though some close during winter months due to harsh conditions. Dump stations are available at Joe T. Fallini Campground and the KOA, with the latter also offering propane sales and a small convenience store. Pet-friendly policies are standard across most parks, though specific restrictions may apply. During peak summer months and fall foliage season, advance reservations are strongly recommended as limited RV sites fill quickly. Navigation to some parks requires careful planning, as mountain roads can present challenges for larger motorhomes, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
"Nice & level pull thru and back in sites. Restrooms are key coded thus nice and clean. Great area for ATV/UTV riding!"
"I love this place I was a little stressed out because I was driving quite a distance and wasn't sure if I was gonna make the cut off time but I did and they were supernice superfriendly dog friendly"
from $40 - $140 / night
"Location, Convenience & Price
- The Value: The nightly rate here was exceptionally reasonable, delivering full hookups and wide pull-through sites without the inflated destination markups"
"The site was fairly level. It had some shade and full hookups. There was a picnic table at the site. There’s a nice dog run area. They have An outdoor games area with corn hole etc."
Available next weekend
from $52 - $58 / night
from $45 - $65 / night
"Great views, very clean facilities"
"If you’re looking for a simple stay, close to all, including a gorgeous bike path, this will do the trick."
"My partner and I were in a bind this winter and stayed a couple of nights here."
"Showers and laundry are on a raised trailer (non ada accessible) lots of cottonwood falling so watchout for allergies."
"Great little campground with full hook ups, 30 or 50 Amp. Spaces for tent camping up to Class A motor homes. Several pull through spots, a few back in spots."
"We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow, were meeting friends in the area and visiting Craters of the Moon NM."
from $25 - $55 / night
"Small campground right next to the road but it wasn’t super busy. Most sites are back in and are huge. Water and electric are in most sites."
"All the amenities and clean and safe. Not so much a destination if your not into world class flyfishing."
from $55 - $65 / night
"Some spaces have shade trees, some do not. Many provide nice views of the lake. Sites are all paved as are the roads (no dust). They all have fire pits and picnic tables - some with shade covers."
"The reservoir is great year round. Fun ice fishing in the winter and big enough for boating in the summer. Just beware that it is almost ALWAYS windy there."
from $20 - $50 / night
"He has 2 rules to stay on his property, you need to speak to him before you enter, and you need to come outside and join all the campers at dusk and stand for the Star Spangled Banner."
"This is a great location. The owner of the property, Scar, is very generous in offering his property for free to stay at to complete strangers. This is dry camping, no water or sewer."
GuideCamped in the grassy area by the river south of the main camp spots. Quiet and peaceful hearing the water next to us. In the morning spotted approximately 12 horses across the river. Not sure if they're wild or belong to a nearby rancher. Would stay here again.
GuideDefinitely a unique campground. Sites are FCFS and this campground was very busy for this time of year, even with bathrooms closed (pit toilets only) and water shut off for the season. Sites are very close together but everyone was very respectful and relatively quiet. Lots of cool hikes in the nearby lava fields. International Dark Sky Park so great for stargazing too!
GuideWe pulled in early afternoon and grabbed a pull through with Southern shade. You have to pay daily at an automated kiosk. Wifi at visitor center. Nice loop to drive with multiple hikes. Good info. Provided.
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are looking for one of the most surreal, otherworldly camping experiences in North America, Lava Flow Campground inside Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is an absolute gem. Tucked directly into a young volcanic landscape, this park lets you pitch camp surrounded by jagged, pitch-black basalt rock formations that feel more like the surface of the moon than south-central Idaho.
Rig Size Advisory: Tents & Small Campers Only
First and foremost, know what to expect before towing into the monument:
An Educational Masterpiece for Families
If you have school-aged kids or grandkids who are currently learning about earth science, geology, or volcanoes, camping here is an absolute must.
World-Class Dark Sky Stargazing
Because Craters of the Moon is a certified International Dark Sky Park, the night experience is just as spectacular as the daytime geology:
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Lava Flow Campground is a rare national park treasure that puts you right in the center of the action. While it lacks hookups and won't accommodate large RVs, its unique volcanic setting, incredible educational value for children, and world-class dark skies make it one of the coolest dry-camping stops in the West.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
RangerReviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are exploring Central Idaho or routing past Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, finding the right campground can make all the difference—especially if you pull a long setup. We stayed at Mountain View RV Park in Arco, Idaho, and it proved to be an outstanding, budget-friendly home base packed with convenience and unique local history.
Location, Convenience & Price
Scenic Views & The Famous "Number Hill"
The campground lives up to its name with sweeping views of the surrounding rugged mountain ranges.
BIG-RIG PRO TIP: Stay Here Instead of Craters of the Moon
If you are planning to visit Craters of the Moon National Monument, take our advice as seasoned big-rig travelers: Stay at Mountain View RV Park and day-trip into the park with your tow vehicle or passenger car.
The Hitched4fun Verdict
Mountain View RV Park delivers everything an RVer needs: fair pricing, spotless utilities, great mountain backdrops, and an on-site dining option that saves you time and cooking cleanup. It is easily the smartest staging point in the region for anyone pulling a mid-to-large rig. We will definitely be back!
Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars— Highly Recommended by the Hitched4fun.com crew!
TravelerWe didn’t get to stay here, but drove thru on our way through the monument. Really unique campsites in the middle of the lava flows. Would have comfortably stayed had the timing worked to do so…
TravelerWe opted for the slightly more expensive on paper RV park in this town as this appeared quite run down and lacking maintenance. Was not at all inviting to stay. And quite expensive considering the conditions.
TravelerThis campground had all the amenities we needed… electric and water hook-ups, picnic table, clean restrooms, warm showers, and laundry facilities. Could have played cornhole and other yard games too. Bar with lots of tvs to watch Sunday football, while it rained was a bonus. Showers are coin operated but provided a ridiculously generous time limit… we were very comfortable staying an extra night due to the weather and some issues we needed to troubleshoot in our van.
LegendMost are pretty exposed and they close most services up early in the fall. I am in a spot close to the visitor center side of the park and get the wifi from the office. Otherwise with Verizon you have no services.
Dispersed and established camping options dot the Mackay, Idaho region, situated at 5,900 feet elevation in the Lost River Valley beneath towering 12,000-foot peaks. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer brings warm 80°F days with cool nights. Camping areas range from riverside spots with mountain views to high-desert terrain with volcanic features.
Fly fishing nearby: Bear Creek Dispersed Campground offers access to prime fishing spots. One camper noted, "Amazing secluded spot deep into the Sawtooth Mountains of Central Idaho. We've been coming here for years and my fathers been coming here since the 60's." The area features alpine fishing opportunities with several streams accessible via forest roads.
Cave exploration: Lava Flow Campground at Craters of the Moon provides a base for exploring volcanic caves. A visitor shared, "I highly suggest going down in the caves where you can crawl in the lava tubes." The campground sits within the national monument, allowing easy access to cave systems that require flashlights and helmets.
Scenic drives: Roads around Joe T. Fallini Campground offer mountain vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities. The area around Mackay Reservoir provides scenic routes with minimal traffic. A camper mentioned, "Weather was 10 plus degrees cooler then most places around the Salmon/Mackay area," making summer drives more comfortable.
Unique landscapes: Mountain View RV Park gives campers access to distinctive terrain. "Mt. View is in the small city of Arco ID, close to Craters of the Moon National monument," one reviewer explained. The volcanic features create otherworldly hiking opportunities with cinder cones and lava fields within a 30-minute drive.
Wildlife encounters: Areas around Mackay offer opportunities to spot local fauna. At Bear Creek, campers should "definitely keep an eye out for black bears," while others report, "We saw two moose on the way in and had coyotes serenade us at night" at nearby camping areas.
Spacious sites: Picabo Angler Silver Creek RV Park provides ample room between campsites. A reviewer noted, "Most sites are back in and are huge." This extra space allows for setting up outdoor living areas without crowding neighboring campers.
Limited connectivity: Cell service throughout the Mackay region ranges from spotty to non-existent. Prepare for minimal digital contact with maps downloaded in advance.
Water availability: Water access varies by season and location. At Joe T. Fallini Campground, sites have water hookups during summer, but a camper points out the area is "almost ALWAYS windy there," which affects comfort levels during water activities.
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds close during winter months. Others operate with reduced services, as one camper noted about Lava Flow: "Off-season has no running water but vault toilets are clean."
Weather variability: Temperature swings between day and night can exceed 30°F. One reviewer mentioned bringing extra layers even in summer: "If you are planning on camping here in the summer, be prepared for extreme dry heat."
Kid-friendly exploration: Craters of the Moon-Arco KOA offers family amenities close to natural attractions. "Great little campground with full hook ups... Amenities included showers, restrooms, laundry, small store that sells firewood and propane among other necessities, ice cream social (for a donation) in the evening, free waffle breakfast in the morning, pet friendly with dog park, playground, and pool," a visitor shared.
Backup plans: Weather can change rapidly at high elevation. Bring indoor games and activities for unexpected rain or cold snaps.
Educational opportunities: The Craters of the Moon visitor center provides family-friendly exhibits about volcanic features. One camper noted, "Great atmosphere and sites and the visitor center is informative."
Level parking: Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park offers well-maintained surfaces for motorhomes. A reviewer commented, "Nice & level pull thru and back in sites. Restrooms are key coded thus nice and clean."
Wind protection: Position RVs with solid sides facing prevailing winds, particularly at exposed sites like Joe T. Fallini Campground where it's "almost ALWAYS windy."
Utilities access: Some parks feature shared utilities between sites. At Meadows RV Park, "The utilities for each spot are just next to each other. Yours will have your spot number on it."
Route planning: Mountain roads require careful navigation. Sites like Mountain View RV Park provide easier access as "the sites are very wide and spacious with grass in between. Full service."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Mackay, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Mackay, ID is Wagon Wheel Motel & RV Park with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Mackay, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 47 RV camping locations near Mackay, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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