Several free dispersed camping options surround Montpelier, Idaho, with notable sites including Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping and Palisades Reservoir Dispersed Camping. Franklin Basin offers extensive dispersed sites along a well-maintained gravel road with river access. The area accommodates both tent and RV camping, though most sites fill quickly on weekends. The road remains 2WD-accessible for several miles, eventually turning to dirt as it crosses into Idaho. A recent review noted, "Tons of dispersed spots all up and down Franklin Basin Rd. Road is very well maintained, sites are easily accessible and close to Logan river."
Palisades Reservoir provides primitive camping on reservoir banks just across the Idaho/Wyoming border. These sites lack amenities beyond basic fire rings, requiring visitors to pack out all waste. Diamond Creek area offers additional dispersed camping options, though some visitors report cattle frequently wandering through camps. Salt River Pass presents more remote options requiring high clearance vehicles. "The road is HEAVILY rutted, and would be impassible for a regular car," warns one camper. Most dispersed sites in the region prohibit camping beyond 21 days and implement seasonal fire restrictions.
"They also blocked the road that goes pass the site with their truck so we weren’t able to drive any further to see if there was anywhere else in the area, but upon looking at satellite view of the coordinates"
"As I was driving over Salt River Pass I noticed a small dirt road on the side of the highway."
"You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views. The views are truly amazing."
"While there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain."
"With a wood-burning stove, we stayed nice and toasty. There were plenty of cots to move close to the wood-burning stove for a cozy night sleep."
"Dispersed camping with space for very large groups. Lots of dirt bike/quad trails. Beautiful views. Wish we could have stayed longer."
from $35 / night
"We were struggling finding a place for the night and scared to go up that dirt road with the RV."
"Very easy access off 89. Very large sites with fire rings start about 1/4 off the main road. Only one other site being used that I saw. Pit toilet available at the large parking area."
"Pull in off thr highway you will see a large gravel loop to your left. With bathrooms. This is the big rig area. There are also a few dispersed spots down in this lower area."
"About 15 mins outside of Logan up a beautiful canyon. Headed up around 4pm on a Saturday during Memorial Day weekend so didn’t have high hopes but found a spot with a fire ring almost immediately!"
"Easy to find by putting the coordinates provided in Google Maps. Came in after dark and easily found a site about 1/4 mile or so up the road. Road is a bit bumpy but nothing major."
"Beautiful and remote area 10 miles up the road from the Visitor’s Center. Paved road that turns to dirt- both in great condition. High clearance vehicle needed, especially on the BLM land."
"Travel through Fossil Butte, and up the hill, then drive a while and cross into BLM, then drive through some dirt roads, and up a hill and there you are… all alone."
"Easy to get to launch quickly and close proximity to Alpine WY where you can pick up supplies. There are no amenities at the campground."
GuideThis had amazing views, including a cool cave. However, the road is very bumpy and the spots are smaller. It would not be good for a larger RV. The spots fill up very quickly.
GuideThe camper sites are big. Kinda rough and weedy though. The trail along the river is awesome though!
TravelerNice level spots - interesting views by the river - toilet - close to lava hot springs but…the train went by several times during the night and blew its horn so many times it was a poor nights sleep
TravelerIt had rained so it was a little slick but not bad, we could not find any designated camp sites so we just found a level place. It was very quiet, we only seen one ORV the whole time we were there. Awesome views.
RangerVery easy access off 89. Very large sites with fire rings start about 1/4 off the main road. Only one other site being used that I saw. Pit toilet available at the large parking area. Clean and well kept. No cell service. Free range cows.
RangerTravel through Fossil Butte, and up the hill, then drive a while and cross into BLM, then drive through some dirt roads, and up a hill and there you are… all alone. I love it. 8000 feet and 360 views. No amenities.
ScoutWhile there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain. We continued up and finally found a nice camp site just on the south side of Utah border but it turned out to be on private property. There’s a small stretch of a private property near the state line marked by a sign posted cattle grate. The property owner stopped by, he was super polite, but explained the boundaries and asked us to move along.
In many spots on the road on the way up there were wide open areas where a single camper had claimed a large area, even sites that could comfortably accommodate several rigs, so just a few things to watch out for.
TravelerEasily accessible spot off FR 006. Found shady, mostly level spot to park van right off the road. Peaceful location. Fire pit in the camp area. No amenities.
GuideGood views, little to no mosquitoes, privacy, a great road, what more can you ask for! We stayed at the first spot past the gate (on the first road to the left at the first split in the road at the top) We saw several people going to the right, looks like there’s probably plenty of spots back there as well. Highly recommend!
Dispersed camping near Montpelier, Idaho offers primitive overnight options in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and surrounding areas. Located in southeastern Idaho at approximately 6,000 feet elevation, this region experiences warm summer days and cool nights with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most rustic camping sites around Montpelier lack developed facilities but provide access to mountain streams and wildlife viewing areas within 30-45 minutes of town.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At Diamond Creek Guard Station, visitors can observe local wildlife. "There is a spot to hang your hammock. You can relax by the fire pit or read a book on one of the two picnic tables provided," notes camper Jasmine C.
Trail exploration: The areas surrounding Green Canyon Dispersed Campground offer numerous hiking and biking options. "Tons of little spots along a gravel road. Fire rings and multiple clean bathrooms are available. Also tons of trails and mountain bikers," reports Ruby W.
Fishing access: Many dispersed sites provide river access for fishing. At Smithfield Dispersed Campsite, you'll find "a very pretty canyon with a creek running through it," according to Brendan J., making it ideal for fishing enthusiasts.
Solitude and privacy: Campers appreciate the remote feeling at many sites. Kennedy F. reported about Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping: "Ended up driving this road up to Idaho to find a bigger spot and some solitude. Took the dirt road for about 30 minutes and got the most perfect spot. Nobody was near us and the view was amazing."
Water features: Access to creeks and rivers ranks high for campers. "It's a very pretty canyon with a creek running through it. Would recommend," says Brendan J. about Smithfield Dispersed Campsite.
Mountain scenery: The views from many sites provide a main attraction. At Fossil Butte National Monument BLM, campers find "spectacular views!" according to Tim and Kate O., who also noted "beautiful and remote area 10 miles up the road from the Visitor's Center."
Road conditions vary widely: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles. At Salt River Pass, Josh L. warns: "The suggestion that you need a high clearance vehicle is an understatement. The service road is incredibly rocky with one side a sheer drop. Went down with our campervan and barely made it down and back up in one piece."
Fire restrictions: Seasonal fire bans are common during summer months. Check with local ranger stations before planning campfires.
Wildlife encounters: Cattle frequently roam through some camping areas. "Only annoying thing when we were there was there was a lot of cattle coming into our camp all the time," reports Brad C. about Diamond Creek Guard Station.
Limited amenities: Most sites have no facilities. At Palisades Reservoir, "There are no amenities at the campground... Only fire pits available. No tables, bathrooms, nothing. So please practice good camping etiquette and pack out everything."
Timing is important: Weekdays offer more site availability. "I would be cautious if you aren't car camping to make sure you show up earlier than I did (6pm)," advises Maddie F. about Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping.
Weather preparedness: Mountain temperatures fluctuate dramatically. Kennedy F. notes about Franklin Basin: "We went at the beginning of June, it was a bit chilly some mornings and at night, so come prepared."
Bug protection: Insects can be problematic in certain areas. "If you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable," warns Maddie F. about Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping.
Site selection: Look for established fire rings and flat spaces. "Most of the spots are pretty small and would only work for one or two tents or maybe a couple of hammocks," explains Brendan J. about Smithfield Dispersed Campsite.
Size restrictions: Many roads narrow considerably, limiting RV access. Sarah C. reports about Smithfield Dispersed Camping: "No warning that the road narrows with no turn around about a mile into the campground, or the trees are overgrown which scratched up my sides."
Traction challenges: Loose gravel roads cause difficulties for heavier vehicles. One RVer noted about Fossil Butte National Monument: "We have a 15k pound fifth wheel and a 2wd dually and were only able to make it a couple 100 yds up the hill before we started spinning."
Larger rigs: For those with bigger vehicles, johny R. recommends the lower section of Franklin Basin Road: "This is the big rig area. There are also a few dispersed spots down in this lower area. NO cell phone signal at all. This area is not scenic like the upper section but is for fast easy access."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find free camping near Montpelier, Idaho?
Free camping options near Montpelier include Heart Mountain Spring, which offers dispersed camping for up to 21 days. While there are no facilities except for a few fire pits, it provides a convenient base for exploring the area. Another option is Grey's River 10138L Dispersed, which features large sites set back from the forest road with minimal dust from passing vehicles. This area can accommodate 3-4 vehicles comfortably and is free to use. Both locations are within reasonable driving distance from Montpelier and provide basic dispersed camping experiences in beautiful natural settings.
Is Franklin Basin a good area for dispersed camping near Montpelier?
Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping is an excellent area for dispersed camping near Montpelier. The basin features 2WD-friendly gravel roads for miles, extending well into Idaho with amazing river, meadow, and mountain views. The dispersed camping spots are nicely sized and spread out along the route. It's particularly appealing due to its proximity to Bear Lake. The area tends to be busy on weekends, but spots can still be found, especially for single vehicles. Some campers recommend visiting in August rather than earlier in summer, as mosquitos can be quite bothersome in certain areas, particularly in the lower sections of the basin.
What permits or regulations apply to dispersed camping around Montpelier, Idaho?
Dispersed camping around Montpelier generally follows standard Forest Service regulations. At Green Canyon Dispersed Campground in nearby Cache National Forest, camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis with no permits required. Similar rules likely apply to dispersed camping in Caribou-Targhee National Forest near Montpelier. Most dispersed sites in the region permit stays up to 14-21 days. Campers must practice Leave No Trace principles, maintain at least 100 feet distance from water sources, and properly manage campfires (where allowed). During fire restriction periods, additional rules may apply. Always check with the local ranger district office in Montpelier for the most current regulations before setting up camp.
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