Montpelier, Idaho sits at an elevation of 5,943 feet in the Bear Lake Valley, with camping options available from May through October due to seasonal mountain weather patterns. The area features several campgrounds within a 50-mile radius, with varying terrain from lakeside locations to mountain canyons. Cell service can be unreliable in canyon areas, with better connectivity at campgrounds closer to town.
What to do
Tubing adventures: At Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park, located about 45 miles west of Montpelier, you can enjoy river tubing right next to your campsite. "The river is not a lazy river float but an amazing short rapid filled 15 min rip through the towns river. There is a shuttle to bring you back to the drop in to do it over and over again or a short walk," notes one camper.
Fishing access: Several camping areas offer direct access to water for fishing. At Devils Creek RV Park, campers appreciate the easy lake access. "This is a full service RV campground, has all the hook ups for electric, water and dumping... Located right off I-15, it sits right upon the Devil Creek Reservoir."
Hiking trails: While some campgrounds near Montpelier have limited activities, Wolf Den RV Park in nearby Wyoming provides access to trails. "We did find great hiking only a few minutes from the campground," mentions a visitor who stayed at this park about an hour's drive from Montpelier.
What campers like
Lake views: Many visitors choose Sun Outdoors Garden City Utah for its proximity to Bear Lake. "This campground seems like it is one of the closer campgrounds to the water. It's pet-friendly, has full hookups, picnic tables, and wifi. The nice thing about this campground is it does have a beach as well as water/lake access."
Natural hot springs: The thermal features near some rv sites around Montpelier attract visitors year-round. "At the back of the RV park is a trail you can walk along the river and will come to a place where you can enter the river right into a hot spring," reports a camper at Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park.
Mountain scenery: The surrounding terrain offers scenic views from most campsites. "Park is surrounded by mountains. Very very scenic," notes a visitor to Wolf Den RV Park, which offers pull-through sites with full hookups about an hour from Montpelier.
What you should know
Off-season limitations: Most lakeside facilities close after October. At Bear Lake North RV Park and Campground in St. Charles, the season runs "May 1 - Oct 31," according to their listing, making advance planning essential for spring and fall visits.
Site spacing varies dramatically: Some campgrounds offer tight quarters. At Cub River Lodge & RV Park, "This RV park would be good for a few RV friends to make reservations and stay as the sites are really close. From the pictures I saw, it appeared as if there was space between sites which was not the case."
Limited amenities at some locations: The more remote campgrounds have basic facilities. At Montpelier Canyon Campground, "amenities were minimal, a couple of vault toilets which were very rustic in appearance, but clean. Campsites were tiny and some have a bit of incline."
Tips for camping with families
Look for play areas: Some campgrounds include designated spaces for children. "There is a center grass location that's great for kids to play," notes a visitor to Cub River Lodge & RV Park in Preston, making it suitable for families needing space for activities.
Consider noise factors: Highway proximity affects some camping areas. At Montpelier Canyon Campground, a reviewer mentioned "Access was right off the highway on a dusty, potted dirt road. Not for large RVs. Some highway noise, not terrible."
Check for bathroom facilities: Not all campgrounds have complete facilities. "There are no real showers or restrooms," warned one camper about Lava Spa RV Park, which could create challenges for families with small children needing regular bathroom access.
Tips from RVers
Watch site dimensions: Some RV parks near Montpelier have size limitations. "Narrow road and short driveways, not suited for large rigs," notes a visitor to Montpelier Canyon Campground, making advance research critical for larger vehicles.
Internet connectivity: If you need to stay connected, check for wifi availability. At Cub River Lodge & RV Park, "There is no cell service here but they do offer Wi-Fi. Not sure if it was due to the amount of people, but the wifi was useless as we couldn't even make a phone call."
Seasonal water systems: Mountain campgrounds may have freeze protection for utilities. One camper at Lava Hot Springs Spa Motel & RV Park mentioned, "The temps were below freezing but they have frost free spigots," which is important for early or late season RV camping near Montpelier, Idaho.
