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Best Campgrounds near Murphy Hot Springs, ID

84 Reviews

Murphy Hot Springs in Idaho draws campers looking for outdoor adventure in a remote setting. Big Cottonwood Campground sits right in Murphy Hot Springs, making it a good starting point for hiking and exploring. Just a mile away, Juniper Grove Campground gives you a quiet spot with nice trail access. Both places work well for families and come with basic stuff like picnic tables and fire rings. If you're willing to drive about 41 miles to Castleford, you can check out Balanced Rock County Park with its interesting rock formations. The park has garbage cans and water available, though some campers mention the bathrooms are dark and far from certain campsites. Weather really changes your experience here - spring and fall are usually best. Summer brings lots of bugs, and winter gets pretty cold. If you like fishing, head to Jarbidge, about 12 miles from Murphy Hot Springs. Just know you'll need to bring everything with you since the closest cell service is 35 miles away. The isolation makes this area great for getting away from everything, but you definitely need to come prepared.

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Best Camping Sites Near Murphy Hot Springs, Idaho (30)

    1. Big Cottonwood Campground

    3 Reviews
    Murphy Hot Springs, ID
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 735-2060

    "No cell signal anywhere near. Note that Murphy Hot Springs is not open as of August 2023 and no dates are planned for its opening"

    "On the north entrance/end coming out of Jarbidge and the Jarbidge wilderness, this little spot lies just next to Big Cottonwood, and truly can only be seen heading toward the campground, not away from"

    2. Juniper Grove Campground

    2 Reviews
    Murphy Hot Springs, ID
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (208) 735-2060

    "Juniper Grove has four campsites and fire pits, a pit toilet, a lovely creek with accessible pools, tucked up against a rock wall. No water, no data access."

    3. Sawmill

    3 Reviews
    Owyhee, NV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 752-3357

    "Right outside of Jarbidge. Not many nicely spaced campsites. Vault toilet."

    "A few minutes walk or about 1 minute drive. I will be back. It is first come first serve there are no fees except gas and maybe a tire."

    4. Jarbidge

    2 Reviews
    Owyhee, NV
    12 miles
    Website

    "The drive to this campsite is a mind-blower. Excellent quality gravel road, crazy rock formations, pretty trees, and crystal clear and accessible creek. The roads and campsites are all very clean."

    "This site was beautiful, easy to drive in and out of, and had its own designated fire pit - which, while we didn’t use it, was nice to see to help preserve the outdoors while still encouraging camping"

    5. Bonanza Gulch

    1 Review
    Owyhee, NV
    13 miles

    "The drive to this campsite is a mind blower. Excellent quality gravel road, crazy rock formations, pretty trees and crystal clear and accessible creek. The road and campsites are all very clean."

    6. Upper Bluster Campground

    1 Review
    Owyhee, NV
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 331-6444

    "The drive to this campsite is a mind blower. Excellent quality gravel road, crazy rock formations, pretty trees and crystal clear and accessible creek. The road and campsites are all very clean."

    7. Lower Bluster Campground

    1 Review
    Owyhee, NV
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 331-6444

    "The drive to this campsite is a mind blower. Excellent quality gravel road, crazy rock formations, pretty trees, and crystal clear and accessible creek. The road and campsites are all very clean."

    8. Pine Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Owyhee, NV
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (775) 331-6444

    9. The Forks Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Murphy Hot Springs, ID
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (208) 735-2060

    10. Camp Draw Trailhead

    1 Review
    Owyhee, NV
    20 miles
    Website
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Recent Camping Photos near Murphy Hot Springs, ID

7 Photos of 30 Murphy Hot Springs Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Murphy Hot Springs, ID

84 Reviews of 30 Murphy Hot Springs Campgrounds

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Grey's Landing

    Perfect for a one nighter

    Only stayed for a night , plenty of spots open. Easy to drive to. Stayed by the water , didn’t drive up on the ridge.

  • Thomas R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Lud Drexler Park

    Nice view, horrible flies !

    First two days were good, weather was hot but doable. Only available sites were not close to level and unfortunately the gravel was deep enough that I had trouble getting level blocks in place. Got it close enough to work. This was Labor Day weekend so pretty full. Day 3 saw the arrival of the flies that others have noted. Horrible. Nice tables under pavilions, fire rings and relatively clean vault toilets, dumpsters and a RV dump.

  • Thomas R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bruneau Canyon Overlook

    Beautiful view , no camping

    Last 4 miles is on a washboard road. Magnificent views! Standard BLM toilet which isn’t bad. The area is basically a wide turn around which could accommodate maybe one camper in a B or C class

  • Elsie R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Grey's Landing

    Perfect

    Pit toilet available. Can either camp by the water or on a higher road by the toilet, picnic table, and grill. Cannot swim in the water due to algae growth.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Sawmill

    Nice disbursed camping

    Right outside of Jarbidge. Not many nicely spaced campsites. Vault toilet.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Big Cottonwood Campground

    Next to river - nice

    The Dyrt coordinates take you to a different campground. This is the first one coming in from Idaho. Just a few spots that are almost next to each other. I was the only one, so it was fine. Peaceful setting next to the river. Vault toilet pretty gross as usual.

  • Volodymyr S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2025

    Grey's Landing

    Free dispersed camping

    I’m absolutely satisfied with this place!

    The only thing that might bother you is the angle of the slope try to find a flat spot also I think you can safely stand by the barbecues, there is never anyone there, everyone is by the water!

  • EThe Dyrt ADMIN User
    May. 29, 2025

    Grey's Landing

    Limited space

    As others mentioned, this is a beautiful campsite right on the water but there are few site options. Great if you can snag a spot!

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 27, 2025

    Saguaro RV Park at Cactus Petes Resort Casino

    Cactus Pete

    Nice change from boondocking. Full service hook up . Casino and restaurant . Price was reasonable for full hook up and leveled sights plus drive thru or pull in . Vertic is still out on food and winnings since we just got here

Guide to Murphy Hot Springs

Camping near Murphy Hot Springs, Idaho, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby waters. One reviewer mentioned, "Seems to be popular among fisherman. I seemed to be the only person not there to fish," highlighting the area's appeal for anglers at Lud Drexler Park.
  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails around the campgrounds. A visitor at Balanced Rock County Park noted, "The hike up to the rock is awesome too, with a great view."
  • Hot Springs: Don't miss the chance to relax in the natural hot springs. One camper at Miracle Hot Springs said, "The hot spring pools themselves are fantastic."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. A reviewer at Rock Creek RV Park stated, "Good County park. Well kept with lawns, walking trails, BBQs, etc."
  • Scenic Views: Many campgrounds offer beautiful landscapes. One visitor at Big Bend remarked, "Campground was pretty clean and easily accessible. Nice views on the drive in."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. A reviewer at Saguaro RV Park said, "The staff was amazing, super friendly and helpful."

What you should know

  • Fly Issues: Some campgrounds can have pesky flies. A disappointed camper at Lud Drexler Park shared, "As soon as we got out of the truck, we were swarmed with flies."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Big Bend noted, "No camp host, talked to a few folks that frequent the campground and commented they have never seen a ranger there."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busier conditions during weekends. One camper at Nat-Soo-Pah Hot Springs & RV Park mentioned, "The campground can get cramped and the pool busy."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Nat-Soo-Pah Hot Springs & RV Park said, "The pool is wonderful for family's and kids."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or games to keep the kids entertained. One family at Balanced Rock County Park enjoyed, "The park allows overnight camping for 7 nights."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can help keep the little ones happy. A camper at Miracle Hot Springs noted, "The market just sells a couple candy and ice cream type foods which is good for the kids."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Rock Creek RV Park mentioned, "The sites are great and even though they say that the back in sites (1-9) are only for 30 ft rigs, we easily got our 36 ft 5th wheel in site #4."
  • Bring Your Own Firewood: Some campgrounds don’t sell firewood. A visitor at Big Bend advised, "There is no wood here or for sale here so be sure to bring your own."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some areas may have poor cell service. A camper at Saguaro RV Park noted, "Relatively quiet in the second lot in the back of the casino, although we had to change site because of a barking dog in a neighboring house."

Camping near Murphy Hot Springs, Idaho, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're fishing, hiking, or soaking in hot springs, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Murphy Hot Springs located in Idaho?

Murphy Hot Springs is located in remote southern Idaho near the Nevada border, in Owyhee County. It sits along the East Fork of the Jarbidge River in a scenic valley surrounded by mountains. The area is approximately 100 miles southeast of Twin Falls, Idaho, and about 15 miles north of the Nevada town of Jarbidge. The location is quite isolated with limited access - typically approached via Highway 51 through Idaho or by gravel roads coming north from Nevada. Nearby Big Cottonwood Campground serves as a landmark for visitors trying to find the hot springs area. Note that cell service is non-existent in this remote region.

What camping options are available at Murphy Hot Springs?

While Murphy Hot Springs itself is currently closed (as of 2023), the surrounding area offers several camping alternatives. Juniper Grove Campground provides developed sites with fire pits and access to a lovely creek. For a riverside experience, Lower Bluster Campground offers three private creek-side sites with a pit toilet. Dispersed camping is available at Bonanza Gulch, which features two scenic sites with mountain views. These campgrounds are accessible via well-maintained gravel roads, though they're remote with no cell service. Most sites in this region operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and many lack amenities like running water, so campers should come prepared with supplies.

Are there cabins available at Murphy Hot Springs?

Currently, Murphy Hot Springs does not have operational cabins available for rental. As of 2023, the hot springs facility itself is closed with no announced reopening date. Visitors seeking rustic cabin accommodations in the broader region might consider exploring options near Jarbidge, which is about 15 miles south in Nevada. For those willing to travel further, Wild Horse State Recreation Area offers alternative accommodations, though not traditional cabins. Given the remote nature of this area, it's advisable to arrange lodging well in advance or be prepared for tent or RV camping instead.

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