Glamping close to May, Idaho provides visitors with a range of outdoor accommodations balancing wilderness immersion and basic comforts. The region sits at elevations between 4,000-7,000 feet with a semi-arid climate that delivers warm summer days and cool nights. Road access varies seasonally, with most sites closing by early October due to mountain snow conditions.
What to do
River activities at Deadman Hole: The Deadman Hole Recreation Site offers boat launch access for water recreation. "Pros include steps from the Salmon River and boat launch for rafting, kayaking, fishing," notes Nancy C. in her review.
Ghost town exploration: Visit historic mining sites near Custer #1 Campground. "For a cool experience, check out the ghost town of Custer or go further along the Adventure Road to see the ruins of some of the stagecoach stops," suggests Annie C.
Mountain biking on Adventure Road: The graded roads near campgrounds provide moderate biking terrain with significant elevation changes. "The road crew were grading the road on this side of the pass," mentions one reviewer, indicating maintained access routes suitable for cycling.
What campers like
Spacious sites with basic amenities: Flat Rock Campground provides designated sites with fire rings and tables. A camper notes it's a "Nice clean campground. Campground was pretty quiet not busy at all."
Natural soundscapes: The mountain setting creates a peaceful audio environment. At Mill Creek, a camper observes: "The only sounds I heard while there were the wind in the pines, birds, one large group of OHV'ers, and the very infrequent truck going by."
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. Limited development around these sites preserves dark skies, with sites situated far from major population centers.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent or nonexistent at most sites. A visitor to Deadman Hole reports, "Zero cell reception ATT, verizon or TMobile. The WeBoost was able to give us bars of LTE but still was not very usable."
Highway proximity: Several glamping sites near May sit close to roadways. At Flat Rock, one reviewer mentions you "did have some road noise since it's right on the road" while another notes it's "Close to hwy20. Convenient but you can hear the traffic."
Water access considerations: River entry points may have challenging conditions. At one site, a camper observed, "The river is very shallow and the bank is quite muddy -- our little dog sank up to her belly."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for creek access: Choose creek-adjacent sites for water play. At Mill Creek Bayhorse, Annie C. recommends: "My top sites of choice are sites 2 and 3 because of the shade and proximity to the creek. Site 3 is closer to the vault toilet and the working water pump."
Pack insect protection: Small insects can be problematic at riverside locations. One camper warns about "swarms of tiny bugs of the variety that squeeze their little bug bodies through your screens."
Day-use alternatives: Some locations offer picnic facilities without overnight requirements. Mill Creek features "a nice day use group picnic site" according to a reviewer, providing options for families wanting a shorter outdoor experience.
Tips from RVers
Site availability patterns: Low demand means flexible arrival times at many locations. One camper at Deadman Hole notes: "Doesn't seem to be super popular or high in demand. So finding a spot shouldn't be a problem. There was about six or more parking/camping areas."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks at mountain sites. At Custer #1 Campground, Annie C. observes, "Sites are on the larger side, but not necessarily level."
Road conditions: Access roads receive maintenance but may be dusty. "They kicked up a bunch of dust, but it blew away quickly," notes one camper regarding road grading operations near their glamping site.
