Dispersed camping options near Melba, Idaho extend beyond Swan Falls with several tent campsites available within a one-hour drive. The Melba area sits at the edge of the Owyhee Desert, where elevation changes create diverse camping environments from riverside locations at about 2,100 feet to higher desert plateaus reaching 4,000 feet. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making spring and fall ideal camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing for trophy brown trout: River access points below Owyhee Dam offer excellent fishing opportunities. "If you enjoy Fly Fishing for Brown Trout, this place is awesome. There is dispersed camping all along the river below the dam. It is very rugged, but there are amenities for camping," notes Ed E. about Owyhee River Below Dam.
Explore historic ghost towns: Silver City provides a unique camping experience near a preserved mining town. "Thoroughly enjoyed camping in this area. Amazingly enough, we didn't run into a whole lot of other people while camping, only in the actual town. Getting there is interesting down a winding dirt road, but worth the trip to find all the trees in the middle of a desert," writes Tanny M. about Silver City Campground.
Mountain recreation at Bogus Basin: For summer activities near tent campsites, Shafer Butte offers close access to recreational facilities. "Bogus Basin is very close. During the Summer Season they have scenic chairlift rides, inner tubing, mountain coaster, climbing wall, live music on weekends, food and beverage, mountain biking with lift service, mountain bike rentals, and hiking. Family friendly," explains Thomas K.
What campers like
Quick getaways from Boise: Swan Falls offers accessible camping without long travel times. "If you're needing a quick getaway for the weekend but can't go too far from Boise/Meridian, Swan Falls is the place for you! Both the Idaho power side and further down the gravel road gives you numerous options for camping. Dam makes for great fishing too!" shares Mary D. about Swan Falls.
Secluded desert camping: More remote tent campsites near Melba allow for greater privacy. "When it's hot, Rattle Snakes could be around. Most won't come out until the bugs do so be aware! Not sure the fishing is good or not but this is very private. you will most likely have the place to yourself," notes Fishin' R. about Succor Creek Reservoir.
Birding opportunities: The canyon landscape supports diverse bird populations. "The best part of this place is watching the birds of prey and the scenic canyon views," comments Laurie W. about Swan Falls.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to many tent campsites requires preparation. "A little bit misleading in the description. There are some established camp spots and then there is some 'dispersed' camping. In reality the dispersed camping is more like established camping on BLM land," explains Christopher P. about Swan Falls.
Military noise at some locations: CJ Strike sites experience air traffic. "Close to the road, you can hear all the traffic. Close to the boat launch ramps, you can hear all the boats racing to their fishing spot as the sun comes up. Close to an Air Force Base, you get to listen to jet exhaust all day and night," warns Jonathan A. about C.J. Strike Area North.
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall offer better conditions at many sites. "Spring Break gave us a unique 2019 quiet camping at the military cabins. A bit chilly when the wind picks up so dress warm and remember to pack extra layers and hand warmers," advises Melissa M. about C.J. Strike.
Tips for camping with families
Seek established campgrounds with facilities: Shafer Butte provides more developed sites suited for children. "Less than an hour from downtown Boise. Beautiful, scenic views, off the main road so it's mostly quiet. Tent only, but nicely maintained tent pads, fire rings and picnic tables. Perfect place to teach young ones the joy of camping; campground is open, mostly flat and easy to keep your eyes the tykes," recommends Jeff M. about Shafer Butte.
Consider fishing-focused family outings: Several areas offer accessible fishing opportunities. "This is a really nice area for families to fish and hike. The area is kept clean and everyone is super nice," reports Nick P. about Swan Falls.
Plan for weather extremes: Temperature fluctuations can challenge unprepared families. "We came here the first weekend of the summer it was open, so it was definitely cold. Our campsite hadn't been used since fall, so it was pretty overgrown when we got there and we had to put our tent on top of smashed down long grass," shares Tara L. about Shafer Butte.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations apply: Many dispersed tent campsites near Melba have restrictions on RV length. "Just south of Kuna, Swan Falls is a nice quiet place for tent or RV camping. RV should be smaller than 27'. We have a 27' Travel Trailer pulled with an extended long bed Chevy Silverado. We were able to get into the last or furthest campsite up stream," advises Ed E. about Swan Falls.
Verify grade and access before arrival: Some areas present challenges for larger vehicles. "The drive down from the top is pretty steep. Ensure your vehicle is powerful enough to pull your rig back up the grade," warns Ed E. about Swan Falls.
Consider proximity to boat ramps: Several areas combine RV camping with water access. "Great scenery and easy access to needed amenities. We pulled in setup camp could fish, hike, and enjoy other activities within minutes. Was easy to get a spot on a Wednesday morning," shares Dale B. about Swan Falls.
