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Dispersed camping near Malad City, Idaho occurs primarily on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, with several primitive sites within driving distance. Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping, located just off I-15 near McCammon, provides accessible free camping on what was formerly a state park. Other options include Heart Mountain Spring Recreation Area near Swanlake and Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site. Several of these areas permit camping for up to 14 days, following standard BLM regulations for public land use.
Many access roads to dispersed camping areas feature dirt or gravel surfaces with varying conditions. Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping has a washboard gravel road with potholes but remains accessible to most vehicles including RVs and travel trailers when driven slowly. Heart Mountain Spring Recreation Area requires high-clearance vehicles or four-wheel drive, with one visitor noting "very good shocks and suspension" are needed. Most sites lack amenities such as water, restrooms, or trash service. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and campers should verify current conditions before traveling.
These primitive camping areas provide varying experiences from highway-adjacent convenience to more remote settings. Indian Rocks offers proximity to I-15, making it popular for overnight stays while traveling. "This is a safe spot for overnight. Nice views of mountains. There is highway noise," notes one review. The area contains approximately 10 designated sites, many with level parking suitable for RVs. Heart Mountain Spring offers more seclusion but more challenging access. At Portneuf Lower Sportsmen's Access, campers should expect occasional train noise, as one visitor mentioned, "right off the road and even closer to a train that passed through multiple times at night." Cell service is generally available at Indian Rocks, providing connectivity for travelers needing to stay connected while enjoying free camping.
"GPS correct, no signage and just off highway West. Small 60x40 yard gravel/dirt lot a quarter mile up improved road with some potholes."
"Just a quick turn off from the main Highway on a flat and smooth dirt road. The site is one huge Loop so stop and park wherever you want. There's one tree that I parked under for shade."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Was hoping to go further in to the more dispersed camping, but the road was blocked with a snow berm. Ended up being a decent spot for the night. Quiet and cold, which is what I was after."
"Didn’t stay, it’s right next to the road maybe for a camper van not for a truck and 30’ camper"
ScoutGPS 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.
ScoutNot 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.
RangerJust a quick turn off from the main Highway on a flat and smooth dirt road. The site is one huge Loop so stop and park wherever you want. There's one tree that I parked under for shade. No services just a big flat field. But nice Vistas around.
TravelerDidn’t stay, it’s right next to the road maybe for a camper van not for a truck and 30’ camper
GuideGreen 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!
RangerThis 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.
GuideBlackrock 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.
Legend2wd 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
ScoutClose to highway, easy driven dirt road with plenty of flat spots to park. Good for one night while passing through.
Dispersed camping near Malad City, Idaho provides rustic overnight options on public lands managed primarily by the Bureau of Land Management. Located in the northeastern Great Basin region at elevations ranging from 4,500 to 6,000 feet, the area experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters with moderate snowfall. Campsites typically feature minimal development but offer proximity to mountain ranges, with most primitive sites situated along forest roads or in small clearings.
Hiking trails: Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site offers several trails for day hiking with mountain views. "Incredible Mountain View's. Several pull outs on gravel road... There are other trials for ATVs but plenty of nice spots for RVs or tents!" notes Jessica B.
Stream access: Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping provides creek access for wading or fishing. According to Auston T., "It is the perfect location for anyone looking for places to hike or ride. There are many different places to visit throughout the area such as the 'Plane Crash' site, Beaver Creek, old logging trails, and more."
Stargazing: The rural location offers excellent night sky viewing at many sites. "Beautiful views. Very dark at night and quiet. Road coming in is not bad at all," shares Kim T. about Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site.
Mountain biking: Green Canyon near Logan features popular trails for cycling enthusiasts. Ruby W. observed, "Tons of little spots along a gravel road. Fire rings and multiple clean bathrooms are available... Also tons of trails and mountain bikers. Met some climbers working on a sketch little project on one of the many many boulders."
Quick overnight convenience: Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping serves as an ideal stop for travelers on I-15. "No frills spot close to the highway was just what we needed. Arrived after dark so had a little trouble finding where to turn in. We figured out it's a quick right turn once you're on the road," reports Marissa P.
Level parking areas: Many sites offer flat spots suitable for various camping setups. "Just a quick turn off from the main Highway on a flat and smooth dirt road. The site is one huge Loop so stop and park wherever you want. There's one tree that I parked under for shade," explains Kevin C.
Mountain views: The surrounding terrain provides scenic backdrops at most primitive camping areas. Dana V. describes Indian Rocks: "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."
Vault toilets: Some rustic camping sites near Malad City feature basic restroom facilities. At Green Canyon Dispersed Campground, "Pit toilets and the entrance and a little bit up the road, very clean!" according to Kristen P.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality and may require specific vehicles. At Heart Mountain Spring Recreation Area, Matt P. warns: "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."
Site availability: Popular areas fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Green Canyon, Kristen P. shares: "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! There was also another spot open down the road."
Noise considerations: Some sites experience highway or railroad sounds. At Portneuf Lower Sportsmen's Access, Chris A. notes the area is "Pretty enough area, but right off the road and even closer to a train that passed through multiple times at night."
Limited amenities: Most primitive campsites lack facilities. Chaz C. describes Blackrock Canyon: "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."
Easy access locations: Choose sites with smoother roads when traveling with children. Lucille W. recommends Green Canyon: "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."
Look for water features: Sites near streams provide natural entertainment. Kennedy F. shares about Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping: "Ended up driving this road up to Idaho to find a bigger spot and some solitude. Took the dirt road for about 30 minutes and got the most perfect spot. Nobody was near us and the view was amazing."
Consider seasonal timing: Temperature variations affect comfort levels. "We went at the beginning of June, it was a bit chilly some mornings and at night, so come prepared," Kennedy F. adds about Franklin Basin.
Check for restroom access: Some free camping areas include basic toilet facilities. At Blackrock Canyon, Aly D. notes: "There's a very clean toilet well stocked with toilet paper. A friendly ranger stopped by to say hi, otherwise there was no one around camping or using the site."
Campsite selection for large rigs: Franklin Basin Road accommodates bigger vehicles in designated areas. Johnny R. explains: "This is just the lower section! Pull in off the 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."
Road hazards: Watch for potholes and rough sections on access roads. Beverly M. cautions about Indian Rocks: "Very nice sites. Trash in all the fire pits. Good cell service. Just go very slow. We did fine with the 27-foot trailer."
Site reconnaissance: Scout locations before committing with large vehicles. At Smithfield Dispersed Campsite, Sarah C. discovered: "No warning that the road narrows with no turn around about a mile into the campground, or the trees are overgrown which scratched up my sides. The only spaces large enough for my 23 ft RV were occupied."
Service availability: Cell coverage varies by location. Aaron G. notes about Indian Rocks: "May 2024 - This is a good stopping point for those who are passing through. There is a Flying J truck stop on the opposite side of I-15. They have fuel, propane, dump station ($10) and water."
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 Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping with a 4.2-star rating from 22 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.
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