Camping spots near McCammon, Idaho include a mix of free dispersed sites and established campgrounds at elevations ranging from 4,700 to 7,800 feet. The region sits at the junction of the Portneuf River Valley and Marsh Creek, creating diverse terrain with sagebrush lowlands transitioning to pine-covered mountains. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during July-August while winter overnight lows drop to single digits from December through February.
What to do
Fishing access: 5 minutes from camp. At Lower Portneuf Campground, campers can fish directly from their sites. "Beautiful & quiet. Short walk to fishing in the river," notes Keith E., who appreciates the proximity to water despite the train noise.
Float the Portneuf: seasonal activity. When staying at Lava Hot Springs West KOA, visitors have convenient access to river tubing. Jon M. explains, "You're walking distance to the river, restaurants, the pool and all the fun stuff in Lava," making it an ideal base for water activities.
Hike mountain trails: moderate difficulty. The camping areas around Scout Mountain Campground offer extensive trail networks. Sheri C. mentions there are "Great hiking and horseback riding trails, quiet, not too crowded," providing options for day trips into the surrounding wilderness.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: varies by campground. At Goodenough Creek Campground, many sites offer natural separation. According to Ithan S., "There are a few spots right by the entrance that don't get much shade in the middle of the day but if you continue past them there are many more sites back in the woods."
Night sky viewing: minimal light pollution. The open areas at Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access allow excellent stargazing opportunities. Wendhy J. shares, "The stars were SO bright! We've been traveling for almost a month and stargazing last night was definitely one of my favorite moments."
Creek-side camping: natural white noise. Campers at Lost Trail appreciate riverside sites. Lori R. describes, "Put our tent right next to the river on grass. Picnic table, fire ring. Horses and sheep in the background. Very picturesque!" The sound of flowing water helps mask highway noise.
What you should know
Train noise: frequent crossings. Multiple campgrounds near Lava Hot Springs experience train disturbances. Isaac at Lower Portneuf Campground warns, "There is a railroad crossing about 100ft from the sites, and we experienced about 8 trains coming through between 1am-6am. Which meant that every time they crossed they had to sound their horn multiple times which was absolutely ear splitting."
Road conditions: rough in places. Accessing Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping requires careful driving. Beverly M. cautions, "Very nice sites. Trash in all the fire pits. Good cell service. Just go very slow. We did fine with the 27-foot trailer," highlighting the need to navigate washboard roads.
Water levels: seasonal considerations. The rivers and creeks change significantly throughout the year. Sanjeeta S. from Goodenough Creek Campground shares their experience: "Woke up to an amazing sunrise and sound of the creek. Just lovely and it's Free!" indicating the pleasant conditions during normal flow periods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: keeps kids entertained. Jon M. at Lava Hot Springs West KOA mentions, "We were on site #1 which is by the playground and dog park, because we had both on our reservation. At first we were upset at our location, but it was actually great."
Safety around water: supervision needed. The river access points require caution with children. At Mary's Campground, Chris Y. notes, "There's a paved trail around all of the camp sites for bikes and skateboards," providing safer recreation options than unsupervised river play.
Bathroom cleanliness: varies by location. Scout Mountain Campground maintains good facilities. Bryan mentions, "Bathrooms are vault bathrooms," while also noting the campground is "nestled high in the mountain with a small road to reach the site," important factors for families planning longer stays.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: ask for specific spots. When staying at Lava Hot Springs East KOA, Michelle H. recommends, "The tent area is quite pretty and I really liked that the ground is large grain sand so it made setting up camp very easy. You don't get to choose your site online so I recommend calling ahead and asking for a full shade site."
Leveling considerations: scout before setting up. Aaron G. from Indian Rocks Dispersed Camping advises, "The road into dispersed camping is full of pot holes so go slow with a Class A RV or if you have low clearance. The noise from the freeway is minimal."
Hook-up availability: limited in most areas. For those requiring services, mark F. notes that Lava Spa RV Park offers "Great in town location near everything. The sites are very close to each other but the location in town next to the river, restaurants and the hot springs pools is the reason to stay here."
