Top Free Dispersed Camping near Mesa, ID

Looking for the best Mesa dispersed camping? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Mesa's most popular destinations.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Mesa, ID (19)

Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Mesa

16 Reviews of 19 Mesa Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area
    Oct. 8, 2024

    Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

    Amazing, peaceful location!

    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.

  • Kaye S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Payette Lake - Dispersed
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Little Payette Lake - Dispersed

    Free, easy access and Close to McCall

    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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area
    Aug. 13, 2023

    Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area

    Great secluded spot

    The fir trees stand tall and still. I can’t figure out if they are waiting for something to happen or if they simply don’t care.

    If you’re looking for sone sort of gorgeous panorama, this might not be the place for you. It’s really just a small meadow in the mountains that the BLM put a vault toilet and a couple of fire rings in. That being said, this place is beautiful.

    You can’t see rapid creek from the campground but you can hear it. And that’s really just as good. The white noise from the creek matched with the occasional bird or other nature sound is one of the most relaxing things on the planet.

    It’s high enough in elevation that this place gets nippy at night. I stayed in early August and the temps dropped into the upper 30s at night.

    The campground is well maintained and the vault toilet was reasonably clean when I arrived. It became Kevin clean shortly after I set up camp.

    There are trails from both sites near the vault toilet that lead down to Rapid Creek.

    I never saw any bear scat but signs on the property warn of them so be smart with your food.

    All in all, Rapid Creek dispersed camping is excellent if you just want a quiet place where no one is around. It’s amazing but not for the reasons people usually like in my opinion. ◦

  • Fishin' R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
    Feb. 9, 2022

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Very Quiet

    until the late 1980s my family and I camped here with our RVs all the time but a chipmunk they have been trying to save since( they are everywhere...) has resulted in the campgrounds being closed for vehicle use. great place to take a tent and a six pack! little store 3 miles down the road.

  • Will M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
    Sep. 9, 2021

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Great campgrounds tucked away

    Great spot tucked into the trees. Some sites are a bit cramped, but enjoyable. Cool trails and nearby water to keep the kids occupied. The road is tight but you can get a fifth wheeler in. Every spot looks very easy backing in. No sharp corners, no sacrifices were made in order to back in.

  • Austin C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Payette Lake - Dispersed
    Aug. 23, 2021

    Little Payette Lake - Dispersed

    Dispersed Near McCall at Little Payette Lake

    Dirt road turn-off from Lick Creek Road.  4-5 pullouts for cars/RVs.  A few hundred years from the lake, but there is not really lake access.  Mosquitoes were pretty prevalent in early august.  No fires were allowed due to wildfire restrictions.

    All said, it was a painless & free site only a few minutes from downtown McCall, ID.  Good alternative to when the state park fills up

  • Larry J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Great dispersed camping

    Just came back from my second week long trip in 3 weeks there. Camped right on the water! I usually go up on Monday stay till Saturday, one of the benefits of being retired! Definitely going to go one more time, maybe two this summer. Very very scenic.

  • Cheyenne P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area
    Jul. 30, 2020

    Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful Spot!

    There are some seriously beautiful spots to camp here. Another review says that it’s $10 to camp, but that is in the actual campground. Instead of turning right to get into the campground, keep driving straight and you will find the dispersed camping. Perfectly secluded and beautiful views of the water.

  • Cody H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area
    Jul. 20, 2020

    Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

    If you want beauty and seclusion, skip McCall and head to Upper Payette!

    One of the few dispersed areas I’ve visited with multiple bathrooms.

    Stunning views on the calm water. Bring your SUP or kayak, you’ll want to be on the water! Lots of local fishing, hiking, and MTB trails.

    A really beautiful area amazing views.

  • Hannah W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Loon Lake
    Jul. 12, 2020

    Loon Lake

    Amazing views and history!

    This campground is a hike-in area unless you visit via dirt bikes, mountain bikes or horses. It is 4.4 miles to Loon Lake from the Chinook Campground.Chinook is the last place you can get water and use a pit toilet before going on the hike. Follow the Loon Lake Loop trail to get to the lake. It is likely you may be the only person camping there, but you will see people hiking in to visit the plane wreckage of a B-23 Dragon Bomber which crashed on the other side of the lake in 1943. The plane can be difficult to find as you have to bushwack to get to it. I did find a little trail that brought me out, but it is often hard to find. We hiked along the right side of the lake, then bushwacked to the left, forded a creek, and was able to find the plane. I have heard and red that you can find the plane by going around an unmaintained forest service trail on the left side of the lake as well. If you make it this far I encourage you to find the plane and read the informational signs no matter what. The story is incredible! While it is longer to hike back out on the rest of the loop, the trail is completely different than coming in and provides amazing views of the Secesh river. Don't expect any amenities when camping at Loon Lake. This spot is truly for those interested in packing in and packing out what they want to use in a remote setting.

  • Spencer L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Louie Dispersed Backcountry Camping
    Jul. 8, 2020

    Lake Louie Dispersed Backcountry Camping

    Beautiful

    Challenging hike in with packs but very doable. Once you reach the lake it is stunning. We did this hike in July in the evening time. There was plenty of shade and a cool breeze that made it enjoyable. Be aware of the temperature before tackling this hike. There are a number of campable areas surrounding the lake. Hammocking is ideal due to the close clumping of trees all around the lake.

  • Easton S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
    Sep. 17, 2019

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Second annual

    Liked it enough to come back. Had a huge group and multiple dogs in the group site. Very clean camp area. Extremely reasonable prices. Bathrooms are really dirty. Water for drinking is available just a short walk or really short drive. Nice fire pits. Close to water for playing in. There are some towns nearby. Would recommend just use the woods whenever possible.

  • Easton S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
    Jul. 24, 2019

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Lots of trees

    There is a lot of space in each camp. Not much land in between each camp so be courteous. Good drinking water. A fairly dirty pit bathroom. I’m pretty sure it’s pet friendly. You can walk to the reservoir. The beach is very rocky.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area

    Beautiful Sunsets on a mountain lake.

    Once you turn off Hywy 95 on to Lost Valley Reservoir Road (about 16 miles North of Council), you will reach a Y in the well kept gravel road. If you turn left, you will come to Cold Spring Campground. There are RV/trailer and tent sites available for a small daily fee. There are campfire sites, hiking trails, toilets and water from a hand pump. You will need to pack out your own garbage as there are no dumpsters. Not a bad place but you are still about 1/2 mile away from the Lost Valley Reservoir.

    If you return to the Lost Valley Reservoir road, you can continue on to the Reservoir. After about 1/2 mile, you will see the lake off to your right. There are camp sites all along this stretch of the lake with direct access to the lake. A few sites have a common outhouse with no running water. Along this side of the lake there is also a boat launch area, but I believe this is a 'No Wake Lake'. Check local burn bans, and pack your garbage out.

    The road continues along the lake edge and over a small dam. There are several small, dirt access roads that lead to the lakes edge with camping sites at the end of each. Several roads are VERY rough and have deep ruts in them, and I personally wouldn't risk driving them without a vehicle that has plenty of clearance.

    The lake is small and as the summer progresses and water is drained from the reservoir, it shrinks. I prefer camping here until about the 1st or 2nd week of August. After this, the water levels drop drastically and green algae begins to accumulate around the lakes edge. There are small perch for fishing, but I did not catch any big enough to keep. We camped here in mid-July this year and had a campfire each night.

    Beautiful views, great hiking, refreshing water, and several families had ATV's. Huckleberries are usually ripe 1st/2nd weeks of August. Very relaxing. Enjoy.



Guide to Mesa

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.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Last Chance Campground. One happy camper shared, "Very nice, large campsite spots with picnic table and fire pit."
  • Clean Facilities: Cleanliness is a big plus. A visitor at Black Bear RV Park remarked, "Clean and well-kept grounds."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campground hosts make a difference. A reviewer at Mann Creek Recreation Area said, "Nice person runs the place and the lots are big enough you don’t hear your neighbors."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sugarloaf Campground, lack drinking water and electric hookups. A camper noted, "The campground is clean. No hookups but has water spickets around the campground."
  • First-Come, First-Served: Many sites are first-come, first-served, so arrive early. A visitor at Last Chance Campground mentioned, "We came in late 7:00 pm but there were a lot of spots left."
  • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife, especially at Horsethief Reservoir Campground. One camper warned, "There were yellow jackets everywhere that would chase and sting."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby lakes for swimming and fishing. A parent at Horsethief Reservoir Campground said, "We had tons of fun out here."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check for food options nearby. A visitor at Black Bear RV Park enjoyed the food truck on the property.
  • Pack for Bugs: Be ready for mosquitoes, especially in the summer. A camper at Mann Creek Recreation Area advised, "Lots of skeeters to take your spray."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Woodhead Campground mentioned, "Nice level camping/picnic pads at each site."
  • Use Dump Stations: Look for campgrounds with dump stations, like Black Bear RV Park, which has a sanitary dump available.
  • Stay Connected: Some campgrounds offer decent phone service. A visitor at Black Bear RV Park noted, "Also have decent phone service for the 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

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Mesa, ID?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mesa, ID is Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mesa, ID?

    TheDyrt.com has all 19 dispersed camping locations near Mesa, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.