Best Campgrounds near Murphy, ID

Camping near Murphy, Idaho centers around the Snake River canyon, with a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites on public lands. Swan Falls - Idaho Power provides free waterfront camping with basic amenities like picnic tables, toilets, and trash service. Celebration Park, located about 25 miles from the nearest town, offers primitive camping along the Snake River Gorge with access to the Morley Nelson Birds of Prey Sanctuary. The area includes both Idaho Power managed facilities and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, providing options for tent campers and RVs seeking different levels of amenities.

Most camping areas near Murphy are accessible via gravel or dirt roads that can be navigated with standard vehicles in dry conditions. According to campers, "You won't need a 4WD rig. A front wheel drive sedan can do this drive, but the road is bumpy." Summer brings hot, dry conditions with potential for fire restrictions, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures. Insects can be problematic during warmer months, particularly near the water. Cell service is generally available but varies by location and carrier. Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted, though some areas have stay limits of 3-7 days.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Swan Falls offers both established sites and semi-dispersed camping with permanent fire rings and pit toilets. Halverson Bar/Lake provides more primitive options with picnic tables but no water or restroom facilities. Given's Hot Springs in nearby Melba offers more developed camping with hookups for those seeking amenities. Visitors to Celebration Park note it's "remote and wild with non-stop views from every site" but warn about seasonal winds that can create sandstorms through the gorge. The area is particularly popular for fishing, wildlife viewing, and stargazing, with the Snake River providing recreational opportunities throughout the region.

Best Camping Sites Near Murphy, Idaho (76)

    1. Swan Falls - Idaho Power

    17 Reviews
    Murphy, ID
    9 miles
    Website

    "Dyrt found this gem of a free waterfront site while passing through SW Idaho."

    "Both the idaho power side and further down the gravel road gives you numerous options for camping. Dam makes for great fishing too!"

    2. Celebration Park

    12 Reviews
    Melba, ID
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 495-2745

    $2 - $5 / night

    "It is remote and wild with non-stop views from every site and many outdoor activities nearby."

    "Sites are next to the river and have amazing views of the surrounding terrain. Trash cans are located at each designated site as well as a level area to set up."

    3. Halverson Bar/Lake

    2 Reviews
    Murphy, ID
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 384-3300

    "Its pretty close to the snake river, and at the trailhead of a non vehicle trail. Its after Celebration Park on Victory Ln, you drive around the park and it turns into a dirt road."

    "Not much elevation difference, on a good path."

    4. Given’s Hot Springs

    8 Reviews
    Marsing, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 495-2000

    $30 - $40 / night

    "It’s by the road, it’s super outdated walking around the property there is trash everywhere it’s definitely Past its heyday it be great if someone could pump some money into this and a little bit of TLC"

    "The owner told me their family found this hot springs while they were on the Oregon trail! Loved this information. The owners are welcoming and the whole place feels friendly."

    7. Silver City Campground

    3 Reviews
    Murphy, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 896-5912

    "Free campsites right on the edge of town next to creek. The ride up is worth it!"

    "The drive back there takes a little while and the roads are narrow. Cows all over the town. The historical buildings date back to the 1890's and earlier."

    8. Marsing Murphy Rd Dispersed

    1 Review
    Melba, ID
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 384-3300

    9. KOA Boise Meridian RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Meridian, ID
    28 miles
    +1 (208) 888-7003

    "The location is near the the central part of Meridian, there is no open land, rivers or other natural attractions within walking distance.  "

    "This KOA is located close to everything you need in the Meridian Boise area. The sites are pretty close, and the wifi is not great. Those are my only reasons for the 4 star."

    10. The Bullock Ranch

    Be the first to review!
    Murphy, ID
    3 miles
    +1 (678) 262-8295
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Recent Reviews near Murphy, ID

412 Reviews of 76 Murphy Campgrounds


  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed

    Fantastic otherworldly Camp Site

    It's a long drive in, but once you get into the canyon, it's beyond amazing. A camera does not do it justice. The campsites down near the boat ramp are very nice with covered picnic tables. The vault toilet is clean. No cell, or water, but you can filter the river. Weekends can be busy but it's still politely quiet. I'll happily go here and sit a spell.

  • April B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Antelope Reservoir

    Quiet, Secluded, but Buggy

    When we arrived, we were the only ones there. There were five sites with tables, fire pits, and pit toilets. Toilets were clean.

    The reservoir was extremely low.

    Rattlesnake area.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Swan Falls - Idaho Power

    Waterfront property

    Got a spot right by the water. It was a quiet Wednesday in September. Bugs were still very active. Definitely would stay here again for a quick overnight. Flush toilets at the dam parking lot and pit toilet at the boat ramp.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Succor Creek State Natural Area Dispersed

    Amazing canyon views

    First you start with a 20 mile gravel road that is pretty wash boarded over much of it. I would recommend airing down your tires so you still have your fillings when you get to the campsite. Campsite is in a canyon with beautiful views and an amazing sunrise. It looks like there are about 15 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits, but I also see areas where people have made other sites perhaps when the place gets busy. The creek is running slowly, but there is water in it. One pit toilet.

  • J S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Cottonwood CJ Strike Reservoir Idaho Power

    Great spot for privacy

    Had a great time for our first experience dry camping in our travel trailer. Weather went from sunny and blue sky to high winds and rain in a matter of hours, but the view of the storm was spectacular.

    Some sites had fire pits and a few had direct access to the water. Vault toilets present. Most spots have some level privacy.

    There was a store/restaurant about 10 mins west. Great spot for free.

  • Kay
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Given’s Hot Springs

    Very nice place

    There is a large grassy area for tents, it also has an inside heated swimming pool with personal hot tubs that are also in private rooms. The staff is friendly and the scenery is gorgeous. You got to come check it out

  • Kay
    Sep. 13, 2025

    River Haven RV Park

    Beautiful, but to expensive

    This is a beautiful place to camp, extended stay, or even live. It use to be way cheaper. The bathrooms have showers and are well kept, it also a building to do your laundry.

  • Kay
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Old Fort Boise RV Park

    Nice spot

    Great spot to stop for a night or two. The town people are friendly. Great place for kids with the play ground. It has automatic sprinklers in the grass so it's best to put up your tent in the gravel. It has bathrooms with showers. I would recommend to where sandles. While taking a shower

  • eric A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Antelope Reservoir

    Antelope Reservoir

    Great overnight stop with put toilets and fire rings. Awesome views of the lake which is drying up but still a bird sanctuary. 360 degree views!!


Guide to Murphy

Dispersed campsites near Murphy, Idaho often provide remote camping experiences with direct access to the Snake River and surrounding canyon areas. Most Murphy area campgrounds sit at elevations between 2,300-2,800 feet in the high desert terrain of southwest Idaho. Summer temperatures regularly reach above 90°F, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures in the 60-80°F range, making those seasons popular for camping activities.

What to do

Hiking and wildlife viewing: The trail to Halverson Bar/Lake provides an accessible nature experience with minimal elevation gain. "Easy hike to a stocked pond. Not much elevation difference, on a good path," notes one visitor. The lake serves as a destination point where hikers can observe local wildlife.

History exploration: Camping in Silver City Campground lets visitors explore a preserved mining town from the 1800s. "The historical buildings date back to the 1890's and earlier. I talked to a local and he said the town is on a historical register. Feels like I took a time machine back to the old west," reports a camper. The cemetery and old mine shafts behind the church offer additional historical interest.

Fishing opportunities: The Snake River provides multiple fishing spots for anglers camping in the area. At Swan Falls - Idaho Power, campers report good fishing conditions: "We were able to launch our kayaks for fishing and paddling for a couple of days. It is dry camping with no hookups. Fishing was awesome. I caught quite a few smallies, but they were on the smaller side." The dam area creates favorable conditions for catching smallmouth bass.

What campers like

Stargazing conditions: Clear night skies make many Murphy area camping spots ideal for astronomy. At Celebration Park, one camper recommends: "I recommend taking a hike at dark across the bridge and up the Mesa and stargaze." The remote setting with minimal light pollution creates ideal viewing conditions.

Waterfront camping access: Direct river access ranks high with campers staying at Morley Nelson Snake River Dispersed Campsites. "We parked right beside the river, and it was absolutely gorgeous," reports one visitor, though they caution about road conditions: "I don't recommend taking a car on this road. It's definitely an ATV road as it's very rough."

Quieter weekday stays: Campgrounds near Murphy tend to be less crowded midweek. A camper at Swan Falls - Idaho Power notes: "Was easy to get a spot on a Wednesday morning and had multiple sites to choose from." This timing advantage applies to most campsites in the area, especially during peak summer months.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access roads to many camping areas require careful driving. When visiting Swan Falls and Snake River Bluffs, campers should know: "Great area on the bluffs above the Snake River and Swan Falls Dam with beautiful sunset and sunrise views. Pretty level area not far from the main road. Only caution is that some areas had a lot of nails where they burned pallets."

Summer heat intensity: Temperatures frequently exceed 90°F in summer months, with limited shade at many campsites. One visitor to Celebration Park notes: "Celebration Park is a nice place to spend the day but I have never spent the night there. It is really hot in the summer without much shade."

Insect activity: Bugs can be problematic, particularly near water sources. A camper at Celebration Park observed: "It was a good campsite but the only thing that was bad was the bugs. Ether than that it was a great place to camp." Mosquitoes are most active during dawn and dusk hours from late spring through early fall.

Tips for camping with families

Safe swimming considerations: Parents should exercise caution with water activities. A camper at Celebration Park warns: "I love this place! It is awesome for having little bon fires, or just cat fishing in the Snake river. I do not recommend swimming In the Snake though, the stretch of river that flows through this park is dangerous and pulls people under."

Kid-friendly locations: Some campgrounds specifically accommodate families better than others. At Given's Hot Springs, the pool provides a controlled environment: "The indoor pool is great. It's as warm as a bathtub, but still cool enough that you don't overheat in 15 minutes." This offers safer water recreation for children than the river.

Educational opportunities: Historical features provide learning experiences for children. Silver City Campground offers history lessons through its preserved buildings. One visitor notes: "Check out the cemetery and the mine shafts behind the church. All the streets are public land so you can wander around."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Larger RVs face accessibility challenges at many Murphy area camping spots. At Swan Falls - Idaho Power, an RVer advises: "RV should be smaller than 27'. We have a 27' Travel Trailer pulled with an extended long bed Chevy Silverado. We were able to get into the last or furthest campsite up stream."

Grade considerations: The terrain around Murphy includes significant elevation changes. One RVer cautions about Swan Falls: "The drive down from the top is pretty steep. Ensure your vehicle is powerful enough to pull your rig back up the grade."

Hook-up availability: Most camping near Murphy offers primitive conditions with limited services. When full hookups are needed, Given's Hot Springs provides better infrastructure according to campers: "Had a great stay at givens, it was not very busy and made for a great quiet campsite. We also enjoyed swimming in the hot spring."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Murphy, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, Murphy, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 76 campgrounds and RV parks near Murphy, ID and 17 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Murphy, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Murphy, ID is Swan Falls - Idaho Power with a 3.9-star rating from 17 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Murphy, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Murphy, ID.