Mountain Home, Idaho sits at 3,146 feet elevation in the Elmore County high desert region, roughly 40 miles southeast of Boise. The area experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cold winters where nighttime temperatures frequently drop below freezing. Camping options range from full-service RV parks within city limits to more remote locations in the surrounding Boise National Forest.
What to do
Hiking near Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Trinity View Resort offers access to nearby trails within Boise National Forest. "There is a trailhead that starts behind Walmart and extends for about 2.5 miles towards Legacy Park. If you're a runner or walker... give it a shot!" notes camper Kristin S.
Disc golf course: Trinity View Resort features an on-site disc golf course for campers. "Nice disc golf trail that I used for hiking with the dogs. Staff is super friendly and flexible, and always busy keeping the grounds beautiful," reports Beth L.
Wine tasting: Carmela RV Park at Y Knot Winery provides a unique camping experience next to a vineyard. "Small RV park in a really pretty spot on the edge of a small winery. They were full when we arrived and inquired about a spot and the owners offered us a free spot in an empty field on the edge of their winery," shares Jennifer R.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Mountain Home RV Park receives consistent praise for site dimensions. "Very nice well maintained rv park. Lots of spaces but fills up fast. Original spots have very nice green grass with mature trees. New area is coming along great, nice grass with growing trees," writes Vernon S.
Family amenities: KOA Boise Meridian RV Resort offers extensive on-site activities. "In the clubhouse you can play pool, watch tv, swim in the pool or lounge in the jacuzzi. There's also a wonderful kitchen where you can reserve the room for a get-together," describes resident Penny V.
Clean facilities: Trail Break RV Park & Campground maintains high standards for their bathrooms. "The bathrooms are locked for paying campers only and have a sink, shower and toilet. Very clean and nice. There is also a locked washroom for paying campers to use as well," notes Tatiana G.
What you should know
Road conditions: Trinity View Resort requires driving on unpaved roads. "Road to park has a 3 mile gravel road, took it slow so it was not bad. The campground was empty and was able to move to a spectacular sunset view spot," reports Sonja L.
Internet connectivity: Gem State RV Park offers internet service, but performance varies. "Getting online involved something called 'Tengo Internet', Spanish for I have internet. We decided that it should be called 'No Tengo Internet' as it takes fifteen minutes to give them all of your information and create an account," warns Tim G.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience transportation noise. At Carmela RV Park at Y Knot Winery, "We didn't find the sound of the trains disruptive at all. We didn't try the restaurant across the street, but it was always busy," mentions David.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly layouts: Trail Break RV Park & Campground offers accessible camping spaces. "Tent sites are on a nice large green patch of grass. Park right next to your tent. The owners live on site and are very friendly and are happy to help with questions!" notes Tatiana G.
Playground access: KOA Boise Meridian RV Resort provides play areas for children. "There are picnic tables interspersed throughout the park with small grassy areas between parking spots. It has propane, horse shoe pits and a large meeting room," reports Amy S.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Trinity View Resort offers unexpected animal encounters. "Woke up at sunrise to find 4 deer wondering through. My dogs loved the campground," shares Sonja L.
Tips from RVers
Practical parking: Sites at Mountain Home RV Park are designed for easy positioning. "They greet you when you arrive and show you to your spot. All spots are paved with nice grass strip. Dog parks in two different areas. There are plenty of trees to keep the rv shaded," notes Steven V.
Hookup quality: Gem State RV Park provides full utility connections. "The sites are hard-packed dirt or similar, and long (accommodating large RVs). They're spacious and shaded. Not good for solar, but not needed as shore power is available," explains Winn H.
Site setup tips: At Carmela RV Park at Y Knot Winery, campers should be prepared for unconventional arrangements. "RV sites are set up strangely but they were very nice about letting us park on the grass to reach the sewer, water and electric," advises camper Smittie.
