Best Tent Camping near Mullan, ID
Tent campgrounds near Mullan, Idaho cluster mainly in the neighboring St. Joe National Forest and surrounding wilderness areas, offering primitive sites with minimal development. Lake Elsie Campground, about 8 miles down a narrow dirt road from Interstate 90, provides tent-specific sites around a mountain lake, while Telichpah Campground offers secluded tent camping from May through October in the national forest.
Most tent sites feature only basic fire rings with no designated tent pads. Road access varies significantly, with Lake Elsie requiring navigation of "narrow, windy, and steep" dirt roads unsuitable for trailers. Several campgrounds offer vault toilets, but campers should pack in all water and supplies as drinking water is rarely available. Seasonal considerations significantly impact tent camping, with some areas inaccessible until mid-June due to snow. According to one visitor, "If you are not into ATV and dirt bike riding, I would not recommend [Lake Elsie]. Other campers were riding their bikes all day and night making it very loud, especially with the echos off the lake."
Walk-in tent sites provide additional backcountry camping options throughout the area. Breakwater Campground offers primitive tent camping with creek access, though vehicle access is limited to most spots. The surrounding national forest lands permit dispersed tent camping with proper distancing from water sources and roadways. Sites near lakes provide good opportunities for kayaking and fishing. A camper noted that these backcountry sites "would not be nice to travel to in the snow though due to the gravel roads." Wildlife encounters are common, particularly at Lake Elsie where multiple bears have been reported moving through the campground during evening and early morning hours, requiring proper food storage. Most tent sites lack cell service, making them suitable for those seeking digital disconnection in a pristine forest setting.
