Mesa is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Mesa is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Mesa, reviewed by campers like you.
Ponderosa State Park offers every kind of overnight experience imaginable with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins for small or large groups, amid a beyond-scenic mountain setting next to Payette Lake. There’s always more to explore! Learn more about all that Ponderosa State Park offers.
Beautiful Payette Lake surrounds the Peninsula Unit and is the shoreline of the North Beach Unit of the park, located in the heart of one of Idaho’s most popular year-round destinations. Hike and bike on your own or with a guide, listen to a park naturalist in the evening at the amphitheater or walk with them on one of the trails. Children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program in the summer months. Visitors can meander the North Fork of the Payette River in a canoe or kayak (rentals available), Nordic ski on groomed trails, snowshoe on designated trails, or simply sit on the front porch of a park cabin and enjoy the spectacular view.
Whether you enjoy cooking in a Dutch oven at a primitive camp site or an indoor stove in the comfort of a deluxe, lakeview cabin, Ponderosa State Park presents plentiful overnight experiences with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins.
$15 - $40 / night
45 sites, no hook-ups. Central drinking water. Nice tent living pads. Vault restrooms. Boat Ramp with handling docks. Great birding area. Secluded campground.
Campground is open from about April 15 - Oct. 31, weather permitting. Camping may open earlier or stay open longer depending on winter weather. Check park advisories on this page for updates, or call the park. Camping is first-come, first-served during the months of April and October.
At Last Chance Campground, there are 20 single and three double sites situated along Goose Creek in a mature Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir forest. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
This campground boasts many opportunities for recreation. Goose Lake is a short distance away, which features a picnic area, restrooms, and fishing piers. There is excellent fishing in the reservoir, or try your luck in Goose Creek, next to the campground. Popular Goose Creek Trail #533 begins at the campground and leads to Goose Creek Falls and onto Brundage Reservoir. Hiking to Goose Creek Falls is a family-friendly hike that everyone is sure to enjoy. A special treat is to go huckleberry picking in late summer along the trail!
Last Chance Campground is situated among large ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees, which offer a charming forested setting. The campground is situated along Goose Creek, at approximately 4,653 feet.
$15 / night
Rainbow Point Campground is located next to scenic Lake Cascade in west central Idaho. It is near the town of Donnelly, at an elevation of 4,850 feet. Boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are popular activities in this scenic region. Note: During the 2022 season, thinning work will be conducted in neighboring Amanita campground to reduce the risk associated with root rot and subsequent hazard trees.
Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. A boat ramp is located within the campground. Many hiking and biking trails are in the area as well.
Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. A boat ramp is located within the campground. Many hiking and biking trails are in the area as well.
The campground is situated on the west shore of the lake, among a mixed-growth conifer forest that towers over the campground. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A wide variety of wildlife makes its home around the lake. Waterfowl and songbirds can also be seen in the area, as well as pelicans and bald eagles.
$15 / night
Numerous dispersed campsites are located around the Lost Valley Reservoir. __No amenities available.
22 sites with full hook-ups. Group Shelter can be reserved through the park. Shower house, flush toilets when available and vault restrooms. Boat Ramp with handling docks. Boat Ramp and parking lot open year round. Tamarack Resort has a concession to rent motorized and non-motorized boats.
$28 - $39 / night
Amanita Campground is located next to scenic Lake Cascade in west-central Idaho. It is near the town of Donnelly, at an elevation of 4,850 feet. Boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are popular activities in this scenic region.
Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. A boat ramp is located at the neighboring Rainbow Point Campground. Many hiking and ATV trails are in the area as well.
The campground is situated on the west shore of the lake, among a mixed-growth conifer forest that towers over the campground. Summer wildflowers are abundant in the area. A wide variety of wildlife makes its home around the lake. Waterfowl and songbirds can also be seen in the area, as well as pelicans and bald eagles.
$34 / night
Horsethief Reservoir Campground (HRC) is owned by the State of Idaho, under the auspices of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). IDFG and the Treasure Valley Family YMCA (YMCA) formed a partnership whereby the YMCA manages the campsites at the HRC and the IDFG manages the facilities, reservoir, wildlife and all real property. The YMCA manages the campsites under the rules and regulations as specified by the IDFG and participates with the IDFG in determining best campground practices and campground operational issues. Campground Host(s) are jointly selected by the IDFG and YMCA, and managed by the YMCA on behalf of the IDFG.
Horsethief Reservoir is located approximately 75 miles north of Boise and 9 miles east of Cascade, Idaho. This 260-acre, IDFG-owned and operated reservoir is surrounded by pine forests and granite-capped mountains. These lands are relatively undeveloped, offering very scenic views with little noise or distractions. The reservoir is managed as a trout fishery and is owned by the State of Idaho, and all but the southern shoreline is accessible for walk-in fishing. Much of the east side of the reservoir (outside the 30 foot strip owned by the State of Idaho) is privately owned - please respect private property. There are also boat-launching facilities for small fishing boats on both the east and west sides of the reservoir. The entire shoreline of the reservoir is shared by a small summer home development and the Treasure Valley Family YMCA Camp.
The public campground area has a semi-primitive nature with no electrical hookups, pressurized water, or sewer hooks-ups for public use campsites. Cell coverage may vary depending on your wireless provider.
The nearby community of Cascade offers a wide variety of services: laundromat, groceries, restaurants, auto mechanics, barbers, and clothing shops.
Campers and Day Use Visitors must "pack out" all garbage. The campground does not provide trash collection points. Fire rings must be fully doused and any unburned wood removed from the campsite. Current "extreme fire conditions" pertain for the entire Campground property with the exception of the campsite fire rings.
$20 / night
$20 - $40 / night
Ponderosa State Park offers every kind of overnight experience imaginable with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins for small or large groups, amid a beyond-scenic mountain setting next to Payette Lake. There’s always more to explore! Learn more about all that Ponderosa State Park offers.
Beautiful Payette Lake surrounds the Peninsula Unit and is the shoreline of the North Beach Unit of the park, located in the heart of one of Idaho’s most popular year-round destinations. Hike and bike on your own or with a guide, listen to a park naturalist in the evening at the amphitheater or walk with them on one of the trails. Children can participate in the Junior Ranger Program in the summer months. Visitors can meander the North Fork of the Payette River in a canoe or kayak (rentals available), Nordic ski on groomed trails, snowshoe on designated trails, or simply sit on the front porch of a park cabin and enjoy the spectacular view.
Whether you enjoy cooking in a Dutch oven at a primitive camp site or an indoor stove in the comfort of a deluxe, lakeview cabin, Ponderosa State Park presents plentiful overnight experiences with a variety of standard and serviced campsites, or cabins.
$15 - $40 / night
45 sites, no hook-ups. Central drinking water. Nice tent living pads. Vault restrooms. Boat Ramp with handling docks. Great birding area. Secluded campground.
Campground is open from about April 15 - Oct. 31, weather permitting. Camping may open earlier or stay open longer depending on winter weather. Check park advisories on this page for updates, or call the park. Camping is first-come, first-served during the months of April and October.
At Last Chance Campground, there are 20 single and three double sites situated along Goose Creek in a mature Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir forest. This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
This campground boasts many opportunities for recreation. Goose Lake is a short distance away, which features a picnic area, restrooms, and fishing piers. There is excellent fishing in the reservoir, or try your luck in Goose Creek, next to the campground. Popular Goose Creek Trail #533 begins at the campground and leads to Goose Creek Falls and onto Brundage Reservoir. Hiking to Goose Creek Falls is a family-friendly hike that everyone is sure to enjoy. A special treat is to go huckleberry picking in late summer along the trail!
Last Chance Campground is situated among large ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees, which offer a charming forested setting. The campground is situated along Goose Creek, at approximately 4,653 feet.
$15 / night
Rainbow Point Campground is located next to scenic Lake Cascade in west central Idaho. It is near the town of Donnelly, at an elevation of 4,850 feet. Boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are popular activities in this scenic region. Note: During the 2022 season, thinning work will be conducted in neighboring Amanita campground to reduce the risk associated with root rot and subsequent hazard trees.
Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. A boat ramp is located within the campground. Many hiking and biking trails are in the area as well.
Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. A boat ramp is located within the campground. Many hiking and biking trails are in the area as well.
The campground is situated on the west shore of the lake, among a mixed-growth conifer forest that towers over the campground. Summer wildflowers are abundant. A wide variety of wildlife makes its home around the lake. Waterfowl and songbirds can also be seen in the area, as well as pelicans and bald eagles.
$15 / night
22 sites with full hook-ups. Group Shelter can be reserved through the park. Shower house, flush toilets when available and vault restrooms. Boat Ramp with handling docks. Boat Ramp and parking lot open year round. Tamarack Resort has a concession to rent motorized and non-motorized boats.
$28 - $39 / night
Traveler
I'm just now getting around to reviewing some places that I've enjoyed and plan to return to. I was here in late August 2022 during a swing through the Northwest, and I spent three days and nights nude here. Very pleasant and relaxing at the river, not too crowded and there were only a few other campers there, and no one cared that I was naked. Some people who were camped a distance away were nude as well (nudity is not illegal in Oregon). I did some short hikes and swam in the river each day. The weather was perfect and I'm making plans to return there when I go through the NW again.
ScoutJust off the asphalt on a gravel road. Very dusty and noisy on the weekends. Can be busy because a lot people park in there to float the river.
Traveler
Nice campground, clean bathrooms and showers.Friendly people beautiful views. Website for reservations was difficult. You seem to have some glitches
Traveler
We arrived on a Thursday afternoon in October. There were many spots available along the road leading up to this site. But they were close to the road and we wanted to be off the road. We ended up at the last spot on the road right before the interpretive trail at the end. This spot was tucked into the trees. And once we got our camper backed in, we didn’t even know the road was there. And the VIEW! Wow!! Looking across the lake with the most beautiful sunsets. We stayed for 3 nights. We set up Starlink so we could work on Friday and had no issues with the connection.
Ranger
This is a spot run by BLM right on the Snake River.
Any sized rig can fit and surrounding area is beautiful.
There is a small pit toilet on site.
This would be a perfect free overnight, but homeless people have been allowed to dump trash in a pile next to their RV. There is also a pile left behind from another.
This is a failing of BLM to manage their sheriffs office property.
Guide
Site 10 is right on the river.
LegendWe have stayed many times and loved it. But now the place had about seven campers. Most sites had reserved stickers on them . The few remaining had signs say check on line. Our cellular service was too weak to check on line sadly. All the best riverfront sites over by the huts said reserved which I believe translates to out of service. There's normally electricity, water and a picnic table at these sites. A fire swept by the boundary of the park and partly through it to the river.
Legend
This beautiful park has seen its day.The facilities are tired. The fish cleaning station is closed. The reservoir is very low It's $5 for camping. There are friendly hosts from Washington State. They told Us to park anywhere we wanted. I saw one other camper. It looks like in the past you would park in the parking lot to camp in front of your table and fire ring. T-Mobile offers 2/3 bar LTE signal. There's a forest fire station adjacent to the campground.
ScoutSat nite in Sept. Good dispersed pullout-carry own H2O etc. High clearance gets some privacy off access rd prior to rec site. A few miles off I84. Wind can howl and likely too hot during summer months. Good overnight b/w UT and WA. ATT 2-3 bars
Traveler
Camping is free, limit of 10 days. Not really any designated sites and surrounded by private land with aggressive signage. Not all roads around the reservoir are public, so be prepared to turn around and back up at dead ends. We came to an orange gate that said "private property", and stopped. While trying to turn around, we noticed a white truck sitting behind us. When we turned around and passed him, he motioned to roll down the window, and then berated us and called us idiots, even though we had not even entered the private land, nor did we want to. We felt threatened. In the end we chose a site on the upper road of the reservoir. The view was nice but not close to the pit toilet. No fire ring. No table. A no frills place. Like many lakes in Idaho, the reservoir is mostly dry. Not a huge deal but not the prettiest to look at. There is only one single pit toilet for the whole reservoir and someone was set up right next to it like it was their own. People ride off-road vehicles here. In an area with slim pickings for free camping, I guess you have to take what you can get.
Scout
The campground had just about everything we hoped for: it was quiet, clean, scenic, on a river, green, had showers, and a fantastic host. The dock right in front of our campsite was a bonus and the river was calm enough to swim in. Limited-range WiFi is available at the light pole at the camp entrance. Great stargazing at night, and we were serenaded by a couple of owls! Perfect location to visit the Hells Canyon Dam or start you rafting trip.
Guide
I found this place using the Dyrt app and was happy with the stay. We only spent one night here as we were passing through town. I purchased the site after hours, and everything was paid for; check-in and registration were all done from my smartphone. I paid$70 for a backup sight with full hookups. They have 24-hour shower/bathroom stalls that are very clean and nice. It is located right off I-84, so some light traffic will be heard. It is in a small city with plenty of options to eat out. Boise is only 1 hour away, which isn't bad if you want to explore that part of Idaho. Overall, it was clean, quiet, and easy to navigate.
Scout
I like the idea of being able to camp cheap and all, but if there happens to be a storm before the day you pull in, you might encounter some mud in the grassy area. Not complaining, but was trying to stay out of the mud as I have a dog who doesn’t care where he runs and that can be a problem with the wife inside trailer.
GuideThis spot is right off a paved road, so about as easy access as you can find. It’s a gravel parking lot for a boat launch onto Snake River.
There are 2 spots along the water below that are semi-private, but they were taken, so I just parked in the lot, with 2 other campers in trailers. Tons of space, and the road that goes by is relatively quiet, so there isn’t much noise from it even though it’s so close.
Probably not the nicest area to hang for an extended stay because of the lack of privacy, but for a quick stop it’s perfectly fine. Outhouse on site too.
Traveler
Two other RVs already here so we backed into the shaded nook just as you pull off Lick Creek Rd. Views of the lake but log jams and swampy shore mean no access.
No bugs during the day but Dawn/dusk mosquitoes.
ScoutWe planned to stop here on a let of our trip and found the park closed. Their website explains that there is an issue with the water system. Check their website before heading out there.
Scout
This campground has potential that is not being exploited. Lovely spot beside the Payette River but that’s about it. Water and 30/50 hookups but too few trees, ery little to do without driving a distance. Close to white water rafting outfitters.
Guide
Clean, easy to find. Nice spots to back into. No store but ice for sale. Bathrooms are clean. River right there for fishing or little stroll.
Guide
Me and my partner were really needing a place to have a small fire to cook our food and set up our roof top tent. Jennifer, the property owner was very responsive and super friendly! She made us feel right at home. Very peaceful area right off the freeway! This would be a dream spot for someone with a camper/rv! If we pass through Idaho/Oregon area again we will definitely be staying here every time 😊
Guide
Owners were very helpful about the activities in the area.
Traveler
Great spot to escape 55 traffic jams! It has great fishing, and river beach access. Has a bathroom. Picnic tables. Only draw back would be road noise but if that doesn't bother you then 5 stars for a dispersed site!
Traveler
Relatively open and well maintained sites in a forest service campground. We got here July 4th and had no issues finding a site. A bit of a way out but well worth the extra effort.
ScoutWe were excited about this find, the location was perfect for riding sxs right outside of round valley.
We unfortunately, could not fit our rig in the gate. It was tight and could not make the turn with a long box truck and 30ft camper.
I did not like that the spots were so close together and not very private.
Greg was very nice though and willing to give us a refund. Still haven’t seen the refund come through yet.
ScoutVery quiet CG No service in area
Scout
Campsite is just outside of town next to the lake. Good little spot to pull up. We stayed one night and paid $15. Lots of campsites were full on the other side, this was good being so close to the tamarack resort.
Scout
they have absolutely destroyed what we use to love..they put sand in every camping spot with railroad ties and huge spikes make sure you like sand in your shoes and in your tents and campers.. the placement of the fire pitts make it where you cant sit around the fire ..carry a flashlight at all times so you dont trip over the ties that they have placed …they took family sites big enough for 10 people and made them so close you can actually hear the next site breathing in their sleep..the camp host by the Name of Tod Had a nasty additude towards my wife when we had first woke up at 8:00 am hounding us about money..sorry we got there at 3:00 in the morning we were going to stay for 14 days and left in 3 they made nature into a aparment style camp ground i guess thats what happends when greed takes over..we have never had problems before ..camp hosts were great and now they need blue and red lights on top of their wheelers..now you look out your front window used to see the lake and mountains now you see the top of some ones tents…way to go IFAG..
GuideNice little place to pull off for the night. It's just a gravel parking lot right next to an RV park. Beautiful view of the snake river and rolling hills. The bathroom was clean. The amount of bugs at sunset was BIBLICAL!
Camping near Mesa, Idaho, offers a fantastic escape into nature with a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Camping near Mesa, Idaho, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect spot for your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Mesa, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, Mesa, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 201 campgrounds and RV parks near Mesa, ID and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Mesa, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mesa, ID is Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 36 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mesa, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Mesa, ID.
What parks are near Mesa, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Mesa, ID that allow camping, notably Payette National Forest and Wallowa Whitman National Forest.
