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.
$10 - $35 / night
"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."
"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..."
$20 - $120 / night
"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!"
"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."
$60 / night
"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"
$55 - $1450 / night
"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."
$20 - $120 / night
"Cows in the near by grassland lots of moo8ng at night and early morning. Had water access at the site.
Cell service 4G with Verizon."
"The lake is low and some debris, not pretty but that is the nature of the beast with humans around. Don't get discouraged, it isn't a place for city people."
ScoutNice grounds, developed sites. The "dirt" road is 2.1 miles to the site. Excellent road. No dust, very hard pack of the dirt, good cover with small gravel. Lots of birds, including pheasants.
Bring your mosquito 🦟 repellent.
Good turn around for campers with trailers.
TravelerThis place is not a good place to go. There is only 1 bathroom and that is dirty and poorly maintained. Going to it the first night, my foot went through the deck! Luckily I did not get badly hurt. I noticed the next morning in the light that there was another hole that I am lucky I did not fall into, and another covered by a rug. There was no one in the office when we arrived and no one there when we left the next morning. Pretty junky place- worst campground on our 4 week long trip!
I did text the number given at the office about the problem but never got a response. Not surprised.
ScoutThe road was very passable! Beautiful scenery with spots far apart. There was Highway noise but it was not obnoxious. Campsites were pretty level!
GuideThis spot is nestled in-between two mountains spread out and private. Love it
TravelerWe stayed here as we were passing through on our way to Moab from Washington. Decent camp sites. Easy to pull in and nice staff. Gravel roomy (as far as RV camps go) and clean camp sites. Shower and laundry and nice and clean. Hot spring is fun, not terribly hot, maybe 97 degrees when we were there in early April.
TravelerIt’s a bit further outside of downtown, but easily walkable through the paths and KOA. It’s affordable, spacious and clean. They have a lot of spots and several not spots were being developed when we were there. It was quiet at night and a great little escape!
ScoutWe enjoyed our experience at Lava Campground. We liked how close it was to the town of Lava Hot Springs. We also liked the playground for our kids and using the showers.
GuideSeveral spots to park in. First come first serve. Decent Verizon cell signal.
LegendIf it had been a snowy winter this sno-park might have been quite busy. A few winter sport enthusiasts came and went but we were alone overnight. Clean restrooms but pack out your trash.
The road past the park was closed to vehicles.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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?
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?
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?
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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