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paula W.
Scout
ScoutEarp & James Hitching Post
Nice stop for the night
Everything was great. It’s hard while traveling to find a dog friendly spot. Our cattle dogs don’t do leashes and they don’t do anything wrong. Hook up was easy.
Camping near Malad City, ID
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The southeastern Idaho landscape surrounding Malad City features a mix of established campgrounds and more primitive sites within a short drive of town. Devils Creek RV Park offers waterfront camping with fishing access and basic amenities, while Malad Summit Campground provides a higher-elevation experience with stellar night sky viewing. Campers will find options ranging from full-hookup RV sites to tent-only areas at Dry Canyon Campground, which operates seasonally from June through September. The nearby Downata Hot Springs in Downey combines camping with thermal pools and offers diverse accommodation types including cabins, yurts, and traditional tent sites, making it a popular destination for families seeking amenities beyond basic camping.
Most campgrounds in the Malad City region operate seasonally, with the primary camping season running from May through October due to winter conditions at higher elevations. As one camper noted about Malad Summit, "This area offers steep terrain but plenty of backcountry area to day hike and escape civilization for a while. On a clear night, the stars are remarkable with very little to no city lights to drown out nature." Highway noise can affect some sites closer to Interstate 15, particularly at Devils Creek RV Park, though many visitors report the sound becomes less noticeable after the first night. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with better coverage at lower elevations and spotty or nonexistent service in more remote locations.
Water access represents a key feature at several campgrounds, with Devils Creek offering reservoir frontage popular with anglers. According to one visitor, "It was a nice camp spot, steps away from fishing. The port-a-potty was clean and well maintained." Site spacing varies considerably between locations, with some RV parks featuring tight quarters while more primitive sites offer greater privacy. Campground hosts maintain facilities at varying levels, with vault toilets being the standard at most public land sites. Visitors frequently mention the contrast between developed amenities at places like Downata Hot Springs, described as "a little resort with hot springs, cabins, wagons, teepees, an RV campground and a nice little eatery," versus the solitude and minimal facilities found at higher elevation sites where stargazing and hiking take precedence.
Best Campgrounds near Malad City (135)
1. Devils Creek RV Park
"This is an older campground, and space near reservoirs is a hot commodity. The RV park host was very friendly and accommodating."
"Located right off I-15, it sits right upon the Devil Creek Reservoir. This is a full service RV campground, has all the hook ups for electric, water and dumping."
from $10 - $35 / night
2. Downata Hot Springs
"In far away Downey Idaho is a little resort with hot springs, cabins, wagons, teepees, a RV campground and a nice little eatery and a load of other fun things."
"Walking distance to the hot pools, and restaurant..."
3. Malad Summit Campground
"Truly where Idaho begins! This area offers steep terrain but plentry of back country area to day hike and escape civilization for a while."
"Was a little hesitant at first because it seemed so far from the highway but it was so worth it!"
from $20 - $120 / night
Check Availability4. Oneida County Fairgrounds
"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."
5. Malad Summit Guard Station
"It is close to the reservoir of you need to cool off and there is also the creek which runs right next to it! It has picnic tables and a bbq grill and sleeping space inside for a few people"
from $60 / night
Check Availability6. Third Creek Group Site
from $80 - $120 / night
Check Availability7. Sunrise Summit Resort at Devil Creek
"Easy access to the reservoir for our kayaks. Lots of people fishing and A Lot of people catching fish! Beautiful views, fun birdwatching and some great hiking nearby."
from $25 - $49 / night
Check Availability8. Dry Canyon Campground
9. Aspen Grove RV Park
"There is enough to do in the surrounding areas and reasonable proximity to Salt Lake City to call it basecamp for a few days, but we've always used this stop as a single, reliable night stay. "
"Close to restaurants. But a sterile walking environment. Concrete pads and all… can’t go wrong here."
from $55 - $1450 / night
Check Availability10. Earp & James Hitching Post
"Shower room was a little bit away from where we stayed at, but it had warm running water, and didn’t smell at all."
"We especially appreciate a place that has access to easy walking or running after a long drive day, and this place has it. I will stay again."
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 42 min from Logan, UT
- 49 min from Pocatello, ID
- 55 min from Ogden, UT
- 1 hr 21 min from Idaho Falls, ID
Recent Camping Photos near Malad City, ID
123 Photos of 135 Malad City Campgrounds
Maggie C.
Devils Creek RV Park
Glen B.
Downata Hot Springs
Dave L.
Hawkins Reservoir Campground
Wendy W.
Belmont Hot Springs RV Park
Derrik P.
Mountain Top Getaways
Curtis W.
Twin Springs Campground
Makenna H.
Earp & James Hitching Post
Ches B.
The Hitching Post
Justin A.
Smith's Trout Haven
Lori R.
Lost Trail Resort
Shani C.
Lava Hot Springs West KOA
Mike H.
Goodenough Creek Campground
Recent Reviews near Malad City, ID
524 Reviews of 135 Malad City Campgrounds
- IIrma H.Scout
Sun Outdoors Garden City Utah
Too many spots
This location is good. Has grass at most spots and was clean. There are too many spots per sq ft. so everyone is really close together. Many amenities and in good repair.
- IIrma H.Scout
Sun Outdoors Garden City Utah
4th July Weekend
Location is great to be close to the lake with full hook ups. The resort uses EVERY square inch so it feels very crowded. Our site was okay, but we were right next to the dumpster and shower/bathroom facility so everyone wanted to walk thru our site instead of walking around. It was surprisingly quiet for the amount of people there. The private "beach" was not too crowded compared to Roundevous Park. Their beach does have a lot of rocks, so bring water shoes and dogs aren't allowed. But if you walk towards the left side of their private "beach" there is less rocks and you can take your dogs to that side of the beach. Place was good for the 4th and the site was good (next time I would block off the shortcut trail to keep people from walking thru).
Vahste (.
GuideIndian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Noisy but decent
Stayed here for four nights and other than highway noise it wasn't bad. Its a long gravel road to the sites but there are plenty to choose from once you get towards the end.
Boldt E.GuideCloverleaf Campground
Decent Privacy with amenities
Cloverleaf Campground was an unplanned stop on our road trip from Utah to Wyoming, and we’re so glad we decided to stay here.
The campsites are fairly private, and we were pleasantly surprised to find a site even though we arrived late on a Saturday night. The restrooms aren’t the newest, but they were clean, had running water, and that’s all we really needed. There were also several water hydrants throughout the campground, making it easy to refill our water.
One of our favorite things about this campground was the atmosphere. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway, it’s easy to sit back and enjoy the peace and calm. If you’re traveling with kids like we were, they’ll likely make new friends and have fun walking the campground loops together.
The nearby North Fork Trail is beautiful, and the Minnetonka cave was a highlight of our trip. While the cave tour was a little more expensive than we expected, it was hands down the best cave tour we’ve ever experienced. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and had the entire tour to ourselves! The staff mentioned that Sundays tend to be their slowest day, so if you’re hoping for a more personal experience, that’s a great time to go.
We would definitely stay at Cloverleaf Campground again and recommend it to anyone exploring this part of Idaho
Shawn S.ScoutGoodenough Creek Campground
Beautiful area
Pulled in about 11 pm as a quick layover on our trip. Just needed a place to sleep for the night. No tent. We were just sleeping in the back of the truck on an air mattress under the night sky. All the camping spots were full so we just drove to the last parking lot and backed into a corner to sleep. Very peaceful until about 6 am when the dirt bikes started showing up to ride the trails. That leave from this parking lot.
Aaron S.
RangerBear Lake/Marina Side KOA Holiday
Bear Lake / Marina Side KOA Holiday Review: The Perfect Hub for a Family Re
Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com
If you are searching for a destination park that can easily accommodate a large group, the Bear Lake/ Marina Side KOA Holiday in Garden City, Utah, is a standout choice. For our crew, this campground was an absolute highlight of our recent travels, serving as the perfect central hub for a fantastic, week-long family reunion.
Accommodations for Every Camper
One of the hardest parts of planning a multi-generational family trip is finding a park that suits everyone's unique comfort levels and camping styles. This park solves that problem effortlessly.
Site Variety: They offer a massive selection of spaces, including full-hookup RV sites, cozy cabins, and traditional tent sites. It was a huge relief knowing that everyone in our traveling party could find exactly the accommodations they needed while still staying together in one park.
Unbeatable On-Site Entertainment
Keeping a large family entertained for almost a week can be a tall order, but this KOA knocks it out of the park.
Mini Golf: Hands down, our grandkids(and the adults!) found the 9-hole mini-golf course to be the most fun thing going in camp. It was such a hit that our group played every single day we were there for 6 days straight!
The KOA Train: Another major highlight was the fun and fast train rides around the park. The grandkids rode it several times during the week. As a fantastic bonus for parents and grandparents, the train rides are completely free.
Exploring the"Caribbean of the Rockies"
While the campground itself is packed with fun, the surrounding area is just as spectacular.
Lake Activities: We spent plenty of time swimming in the stunning, turquoise waters of nearby Bear Lake. The area is also known for a steady, frequent wind coming off the water, which made for perfect kite-flying weather. Don't let wind ruin your fun. Bring a kite! We did.
Local Eats: You simply cannot stay in Garden City without visiting the iconic LaBeau's Drive-In. Grabbing their "Famous" Raspberry Shakes was an absolute must-do for our group, and they completely lived up to the hype!
The Hitched4fun Verdict
The Bear Lake/ Marina Side KOA Holiday perfectly blends family-focused amenities, versatile lodging, and prime access to one of Utah's most beautiful lakes. It is rare to find a park that caters so effectively to both energetic kids and relaxing adults for an extended stay. If you are planning a family reunion or a group getaway, this location is a guaranteed win.
Rating: Highly Recommended by the entire Hitched4fun.com crew!
- MMissy A.Guide
Hyrum State Park Campground
Small, hidden gem
This is a small state park campground located in a neighborhood. This lake was so popular while we were there over Father's Day weekend. As busy as it was, everyone followed the quiet hours and it was so peaceful at night. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would definitely return. We were in electric and water hookup site number 3 in the middle row. The sites along the water have great views, but little shade and do not have any hookups. The sites are close together ,but angled nicely so you still have privacy. The surrounding neighborhood is lovely with a mixture of farms and new construction. Felt completely safe biking and running through the surrounding area. The park is close to the town of Logan, Utah. We loaded up our bikes and took advantage of their extensive trail system only 15 minutes from the park. The town of Logan has everything you need to restock on supplies including Costco.
JW R.ScoutLost Trail Resort
Nice scenic spot by the river
While the scenery was nice, the price was expensive considering there are no showers, sewer connection, or dump station.
Guide to Malad City
Camping near Malad City, Idaho occurs primarily at elevations between 4,500-7,000 feet, creating a climate with warm summer days and cool nights. The camping season typically runs May through September, with overnight temperatures dropping below 50°F even in summer months. Several campgrounds in the area provide access to small streams and creeks ideal for fishing native trout species.
What to do
Fishing at Devils Creek Reservoir: Access the water at Devils Creek RV Park where camping spots are steps from prime fishing locations. According to one camper, "My wife and I wanted to get off the road after traveling all day. This place is very convenient. Located right off I-15, it sits right upon the Devil Creek Reservoir."
Hiking from high elevation sites: The terrain around Malad Summit Campground offers multiple trail options. One visitor noted, "There is a lovely little babbling brook that runs through the whole canyon. There is a lot of great trails for hiking. There is cute waterfall."
Thermal pools and water slides: Families can enjoy swimming at Downata Hot Springs which combines camping with water recreation. As one visitor shared, "Hot springs and water slides fit the bill. Tight spots, no sewer were the only downsides. Great groups there during our stay, easy to get around."
Creek exploration: Several campsites in the area feature small streams with pools suitable for wading. The campground at Third Creek offers "Restrooms and several tables at each site, small creek with beautiful valley walls. Check out the balancing rock and climb up for more great views."
What campers like
Night sky visibility: Fall camping at Malad Summit provides exceptional stargazing conditions after September 15 when fees are waived. One camper mentioned, "Had the whole campground to ourselves. It is free to stay here after September 15th. We camped the 1st of October. Just a quick pit stop."
Clean facilities: Visitors to Aspen Grove RV Park consistently praise the maintenance standards. A reviewer commented, "Clean and modern. That is the problem. This is a $75 parking lot. Pavement, cement and no shade. No fire pits. I prefer shade (94°) and more of a camping feel."
Accessibility from Interstate: Devils Creek RV Park provides convenience for travelers needing overnight stops. According to one reviewer, "This campground was convenient to come in late and leave early. We called ahead and they were very accommodating."
Year-round options: Some facilities offer winter camping opportunities in cabins. One Downata Hot Springs visitor mentioned, "Cold winter months and you need to get away? Wow we rented a cabin three times this last winter. Great little cabins with bathrooms the hot pools were 100 feet away and a heated swimming pool."
What you should know
Site spacing issues: At Devils Creek RV Park, proximity between camping spots can be uncomfortable. One camper noted, "Warning - Some of the spaces felt like extremely close quarters especially with slide outs. The picture below shows one of the older full utility locations. Some units may not have much room to slide out without contacting the utility boxes."
Weather preparation: Temperature variations require packing for multiple conditions. "There is a lovely little babbling brook that runs through the whole canyon. The mosquitos can be intense," warns one Malad Summit visitor.
Limited shade availability: Some campgrounds lack natural coverage. Aspen Grove RV Park "is a $75 parking lot. Pavement, cement and no shade. No fire pits," according to one review.
Seasonal limitations: Many facilities have restricted operating periods. The Oneida County Fairgrounds offers electrical hookups during non-event periods but recommends contacting managers first: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options for comfort: Families seeking more substantial accommodations can use Third Creek Group Campground which includes a small building with amenities. One camper noted, "This site is huge! At least 50 people could use this site, which would make it great for reunions. There's also a little cabin with a wood burning stove inside."
Campground selection based on noise level: Some locations experience significant ATV traffic or highway noise. A Malad Summit visitor warned, "I love to come spend time up here. but we never camp here over night. It is extremely over used by atvs and side by sides."
Bring entertainment: Limited organized activities means families should pack games and equipment. For fishing enthusiasts, one camper mentioned about Malad Summit, "They stock the river the weekend before memorial day with trout. It's where my kids all learned to fish."
Water access considerations: Reservoir conditions change seasonally affecting activities. At Devils Creek, one visitor observed, "Loved the water, even though it was low. The sticky mud on beach made everything a bit more difficult."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV campers should research site dimensions before arrival. At Devils Creek, "Lot size seems inconsistent between spaces as some feel very cramped and some of the high number units without utilities had larger spaces between them, almost appearing as an extra space between two units."
Utility planning: Hook-up availability varies significantly. One Devils Creek visitor advised, "Make sure to plan ahead for power adapters. Only one 30amp service so if your planning to run AC, plan to be the first in or coordinate with your neighbor."
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. For Cherry Creek Campground, a visitor reported, "Drove up a rough dirt road to get there. There was a couple of sites with tables. Located in a cow pasture."
Reservation recommendations: Many sites fill quickly during peak season. An Aspen Grove visitor noted, "We were running out of options for places to stay as most things were completely full. This was a wonderful surprise when we found it. Their after hours check in process was organized and amazing."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping spots near Malad City, Idaho?
Where can I find camping spots near Malad City, Idaho?
Several camping options are available near Malad City. Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping offers a convenient free option just off the highway with a small gravel/dirt lot for basic overnight stays. For those seeking more amenities, Oneida County Fairgrounds provides water access and drive-in sites. Within driving distance, you'll also find Dry Canyon Campground and Cherry Creek Campground. If you're willing to venture a bit further, the Pocatello area offers additional options with more developed facilities. Most camping spots in the area are accessible by regular vehicles, though dispersed sites may have variable conditions depending on recent weather.
Is Malad Summit Campground accessible year-round?
Is Malad Summit Campground accessible year-round?
Malad Summit Campground is not accessible year-round due to its elevation and winter conditions. Malad Summit Guard Station and the surrounding camping areas typically close during winter months (approximately November through April/May) when snow makes access difficult or impossible. The area receives significant snowfall, and roads are not regularly plowed. For winter camping options near Malad City, consider lower-elevation alternatives like Traveland RV Park which offers level sites just off the highway and remains accessible during colder months. Always check current conditions with the Forest Service before planning a trip during shoulder seasons.
What amenities are available at Goodenough Campground near Malad?
What amenities are available at Goodenough Campground near Malad?
While specific reviews for Goodenough Campground are limited, similar campgrounds in the area like Scout Mountain Campground typically offer vault toilets, water spigots, picnic tables, and fire rings. First-come, first-serve sites are common in this region. For more developed amenities, Mink Creek Group Site Campground about 12 miles from I-15 offers toilet buildings, picnic tables, charcoal grills, and fire pits with good spacing between sites. When visiting Goodenough Campground, expect basic facilities rather than full hookups or luxury amenities, and consider bringing your own water supply as availability may be seasonal.
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