Best Dispersed Camping near Malad City, ID

Malad City is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Malad City. Find the best campgrounds near Malad City, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Malad City, Idaho (14)

    1. Heart Mountain Spring

    2 Reviews
    Downey, ID
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 478-6340

    2. Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    McCammon, ID
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 478-6340

    "GPS correct, no signage and just off highway West. Small 60x40 yard gravel/dirt lot a quarter mile up improved road with some potholes."

    "This place is right off the highway so it made it a super easy spot to get to for a quick overnight stay."

    3. Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    16 Reviews
    North Logan, UT
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 755-3620

    "About 15 mins outside of Logan up a beautiful canyon. Headed up around 4pm on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend so didn’t have high hopes but found a spot with a fire ring almost immediately!"

    "Easy to find by putting the coordinates provided in Google Maps. Came in after dark and easily found a site about 1/4 mile or so up the road. Road is a bit bumpy but nothing major."

    4. Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    9 Reviews
    Garden City, UT
    38 miles
    +1 (435) 232-2674

    "You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views. The views are truly amazing."

    "Amazing location especially because it’s close to bear lake!

    I heard it’s better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable."

    5. Smithfield Dispersed Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Richmond, UT
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 320-8300

    "After you've passed the Smithfield campground there are plenty of spots on both sides of the road where you can pull off and have dispersed camping."

    "Stayed here for two nights, at the end of a dead end road, close to the creek. Real easy place to be."

    6. Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

    7 Reviews
    Inkom, ID
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 478-6340

    "A short dirt road that’s well maintained leads up to a rock/gravel parking lot. As another reviewer said, the right is for camping, while the left is day use only."

    "Nice spot in a gravel parking lot surrounded by small mountains with toilets nearby. Park on the right as camping is prohibited on the left."

    7. Portneuf Lower Sportsmen's Access

    1 Review
    Lava Hot Springs, ID
    34 miles

    "Easy access from Lava with about 10 designated spots, most with room for two vehicles and one(?) pull through spot that fit my truck/30foot TT."

    8. Franklin Basin Road

    1 Review
    Garden City, UT
    39 miles

    "Pull in off thr highway you will see a large gravel loop to your left. With bathrooms. This is the big rig area. There are also a few dispersed spots down in this lower area."

    9. High Creek

    Be the first to review!
    Richmond, UT
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 755-3620
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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Malad City, ID

54 Reviews of 14 Malad City Campgrounds


  • S
    Jul. 27, 2021

    Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

    Decent BLM Boondock

    GPS correct, no signage and just off highway West. Small 60x40 yard gravel/dirt lot a quarter mile up improved road with some potholes. Was traveling late from Idaho to SLC and was a good stopping point. Can hear the highway still but quiet enough and secluded. No amenities whatsoever but there are some weathered petroglyphs to see. As an option there is a formal rest area off the highway a few miles south.

  • Matt P.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Heart Mountain Spring

    Dirt pull out

    Not sure where precious reviewer went but the GPS coordinates are for a dirt pull out beside a narrow spring. A mile further uphill on dirt road is a small camping area. Free for 21 days. No facilities but a few fire pits. It was full with trailers that have been there a while by the look of it. No spring. I drove another few miles up the mountain and found the entrance to the massive ranch that owns most of the surrounding land. Beyond that was yet more dirt road with no sign of a antelope park or spring. I gave up and was thankful I didn't arrive late in the day.

  • Steven E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2019

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Green Canyon Disbursed Campgrounds

    Green Canyon is one of Logan Utahs underrated and overused gems. The canyon itself is open for recreation of various kinds year-round.

    During the summer months when most of us like to go camping, there are between 15 and 25 sites available on a first-come first-serve basis. Some of these are groups sites that can accommodate large gatherings. Most sites have established fire rings, however the overall site condition as well as the condition of the fire ring is sometimes questionable. This is usually due to high volume. This Canyon is also notorious for high school Gatherings, so there is usually a lot of pallet wood burned. You will find on almost every trip Nails screws Staples and broken glass. Beer bottles beer cans and cigarette butts are also pretty common unfortunately. (Wear good shoes!) Aside from questionable condition of the campgrounds, it is easy to get to and free. And relatively close to Logan. So it's easy to see why I get so much use.

    Green Canyon is better known and more happily known for its trail that runs alongside the road. Local residents love this Trail for trail runs, or mountain biking. There are Vault toilets in the parking lot at the bottom, as well as at the very top where Green Canyon meets water shed Canyon.

    In the winter months the road is closed, and is groomed by a local group named Nordic United. They groom it for cross country skiing several times a week and after every good storm. Trail is also used during the winter for snowshoeing, as well as Fat Tire snow biking.

    To top it off in the winter at the top Powder Ridge ski touring also has a yurt you can rent if you are willing to cross country ski or Snowshoe to it. (See separate review).

    Overall Green Canyon only gets 3 out of 5 stars because of its high traffic and high litter volume. Remember to leave no trace and always leave it better than you found it!

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Green Canyon Dispersed Campground

    Easy Access

    This canyon is within the Cache National Forest. Just outside of Logan, UT. Super easy access to a neat little canyon. My Honda Civic was able to navigate the gravel road far back into the canyon. There are two restrooms - one at the trailhead and one down into the canyon a bit. Several spots with picnic tables. Many pullouts / camping spots with stone fire rings on either side of the road. There were tons of mountain bikers around, as there is a mountain bike / trail running / hiking trail that goes through the canyon as well. Kinda crowded on the weekend. Lots of trucks, razors, and ATVs. BUT the canyon itself is cool and pretty. There is even a cave up on the left coming in and we saw some people bouldering up there. Overall not bad for a free place to stay! Met some super kind folks in there.

  • Erin H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2022

    Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

    New Changes to this area??

    Blackrock Canyon BLM Pocatello, ID 8/4/22 DO NOT trust APP coordinates 42.8145, -112.3307 : Campendium 6/20/22 42.8146,-112.3307 : The Dyrt 6/30/22, 42.8142, -112.3306 : FREE Roam / 2019 These coordinates all lead to a reasonably level, fenced dirt parking lot on the left with a vault toilet and concrete walkway going across the road to a covered picnic/stream area. We were very excited. This is NOT the BLM camping area.... or rather more likely, 'no longer' is? There are 3 new looking signs stating Day Use Only, No Overnight Camping. However there is still a signboard by the toilet with the typical BLM rules/regs & 14 day limit? What's a gal to do? So I called the BLM office listed on the sign to clear up the conflicting sign info. Yep, the aforementioned parking lot is NOT FOR OVERNIGHTCAMPING - again, signs are shiney, no weathering, so this may be a new development? We were told there are 2 BLM camping areas. #1 is ACROSS from the aforementioned parking lot... big DEEPLY graveled area on the right as you come in that steeply slopes down to the picnic table area (our autolevel just laughed at us no matter what we did or where we positioned). #2 is about 1/4m further up where the road loops back on itself, and also has a vault toilet (no concrete walkway). This is a medium parking area inside the loop. Looked doable until we noticed the berm hiding under the grass. At 34' backed in, we'd have either lost the under carriage spare tire, or had our big butt sitting on the ground. So this too was a big nope for us. There is a pullout on the way to the 2nd area, but currently has a 'road closed' sign on it, and another pull out just before the 1st parking area. We could have squeezed into this one, but by this point we were wore out & the thought of all the dust ... just nope. We moved on. This is a GORGEOUS area, if you're a smaller footprint, and can get level. Verizon & ATT both usable but not very strong. Road in is a little washboard and hilly, but doable. I15 underpass ... we're 13'8" on truck & cleared both with no issues. Definitely recommend dropping your rig in the parking lot and scouting out this area 1st.

  • johny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Amazing mnt views great road

    2wd friendly road for MILES. You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views. The views are truly amazing. There are nice size and spread out dispersed camping spots along the way. Just make sure you stick to the gravel road as you go up, dont turn off. The road turns to dirt in idaho but is still 2wd safe until you get to a ver clear turn around. Beware of cows! They will be in several sections of the road but are friendly to cars and move out of the way. The sites can be a little buggy but many have direct river access or beaver pond access. If this place had cell signal it would be one of the best spots ever

  • Dana V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

    Nice & Easy Access

    This place is right off the highway so it made it a super easy spot to get to for a quick overnight stay. There were other campers and everyone was quiet and respectful, the spaces are spread out a nice distance so that we aren't right next to our neighbors. You can hear highway noise but it wasn't too bad, and the view is a pretty rolling hills.

  • Ryan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping

    Typical One Night Stand

    Close to highway, easy driven dirt road with plenty of flat spots to park. Good for one night while passing through.

  • Maddie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping

    Great for big groups

    Amazing location especially because it’s close to bear lake!

    I heard it’s better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable.

    I went by myself on a Friday afternoon and it was super busy but there were still some spots for just a car right off the side of the road which worked fine for me since I was car camping, but I would be cautious if you aren’t car camping to make sure you show up earlier than I did (6pm).

    Also if you keep driving for maybe 20-30min down the road there’s even more beautiful spots, but it’s pretty rocky so be careful if you don’t trust your car/have low clearance. I got my car stuck in a ditch trying to pull into one of the further spots (10/10 don’t recommend) lol. Bumper is now falling off and I think one of the rocks gave my tire a leak.


Guide to Malad City

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Malad City, Idaho, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With a variety of options available, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Malad City

  • Enjoy the soothing sounds of nature at Heart Mountain Spring, where visitors rave about the amazing hot springs and the peaceful atmosphere.
  • Explore the scenic trails and creek access at High Creek, a well-reviewed spot that offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
  • Experience the stunning views and hiking opportunities at Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, which is known for its beautiful landscapes and off-grid camping experience.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Malad City, Idaho

  • Be prepared for rough roads when heading to Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping, as the access road can be a bit challenging, especially for larger vehicles.
  • Always check for local wildlife and be cautious, as some visitors at High Creek have encountered unexpected situations with other campers.
  • Bring your own water and firewood, as places like Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site do not provide these amenities, ensuring you have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Smithfield Dispersed Campsite

  • Located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Smithfield Dispersed Campsite offers a quiet retreat with easy access to a nearby creek, making it ideal for relaxation.
  • This area is known for its small, intimate spots that are perfect for tents or hammocks, providing a cozy camping experience away from the crowds.
  • With no permit required and the freedom to choose your own site, Smithfield Dispersed Campsite is a fantastic option for those looking to enjoy nature without the hassle of reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find BLM dispersed camping near Malad City?

Several BLM dispersed camping options exist near Malad City. Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping is a popular choice located just off the highway with easy access via an improved dirt road with some potholes. This former state park offers a gravel/dirt lot with multiple flat spots for camping, though it lacks amenities. Another option is Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site, located near Pocatello. This BLM site features a reasonably level parking area with a vault toilet. When using GPS coordinates for any BLM site in the area, approach with caution as coordinates can sometimes be slightly off. Most BLM lands in this region allow stays up to 14-21 days with no facilities, so come prepared with all necessary supplies.

Is boondocking allowed in the Malad City area?

Yes, boondocking is allowed in the Malad City area with several viable options. Heart Mountain Spring offers free dispersed camping for up to 21 days, with a small camping area located about a mile uphill from the spring on a dirt road. While it has no facilities, there are some established fire pits. For those willing to drive a bit further, Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping provides numerous boondocking opportunities along a 2WD-friendly gravel road with mountain and meadow views. The sites are nicely spread out, offering more privacy than many other boondocking locations. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles when boondocking, pack out all trash, and be prepared with all necessary supplies as these areas have no services.

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Malad City, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Malad City, ID is Heart Mountain Spring with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Malad City, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Malad City, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.