The Murphy Hot Springs area encompasses high desert terrain at approximately 5,400 feet elevation where the Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers meet near the Idaho-Nevada border. Tent camping near Murphy Hot Springs provides access to remote backcountry areas with dramatic elevation changes and juniper-dotted landscapes. The region experiences wide temperature fluctuations, with summer daytime highs reaching 90°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to the 40s.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Big Cottonwood Campground offers excellent riverside locations for observing native species. According to camper Michael G., "Peaceful setting next to the river" provides ideal conditions for wildlife watching during morning and evening hours.
Creek exploration: Juniper Grove Campground features accessible creek pools perfect for cooling off during summer months. One reviewer mentions water levels can fluctuate seasonally, noting that "This section is kind of spread out and shallow, making it essentially impossible to float on."
Hiking access: The Jarbidge Wilderness contains numerous hiking trails with minimal crowds even during peak season. The area offers "crazy rock formations, pretty trees, and crystal clear and accessible creek" according to Beth M., making it ideal for day hikes of varying difficulty levels.
Photography opportunities: Bonanza Gulch provides exceptional landscape photography settings with "the most scenic spots for seeing the mountains, having wide open camp, and some amazing rock formation views." Best photography light occurs during early morning and late afternoon hours.
What campers like
Complete solitude: Lower Bluster Campground features "three creek-side campsites, all on the water and very private" according to recent visitors. Sites are naturally separated by terrain features, providing noise insulation between camping areas.
Accessibility despite remoteness: Despite the area's isolation, Jarbidge receives consistent praise for road quality. As one camper notes, "Excellent quality gravel road" makes access possible for standard passenger vehicles despite the wilderness setting.
Abundant free camping: The Jarbidge area contains numerous no-cost camping options. A visitor observed, "There are many camping options in this area and all are free," making it budget-friendly for extended stays.
Clean facilities: Despite minimal development, Upper Bluster Campground maintains well-kept sites. "The road and campsites are all very clean" according to a recent camper review, suggesting consistent maintenance despite remote location.
What you should know
No cellular connectivity: Complete absence of cell service extends throughout the entire region. According to recent visitors, "The nearest reliable cell signal to the east is 35 miles east of Murphy Hot Springs," requiring advance planning and emergency preparation.
Water requirements: Every campground in the area lacks potable water sources. "No potable water in this area" means campers must transport all drinking water from distant communities, calculating approximately 1 gallon per person per day.
Hot springs status: Pine Creek Campground visitors should note Murphy Hot Springs remains indefinitely closed. A camper confirmed, "Murphy Hot Springs is closed with no opening in sight," meaning the namesake attraction cannot be accessed.
Supply distances: The isolated location requires complete self-sufficiency. "It's 60 miles one way to town," reports one camper, necessitating thorough preparation and ample supplies for the full duration of stays.
Tips for camping with families
Vehicle considerations: Road conditions require appropriate vehicles when traveling with children. "Go slow on 4 ply, 10 ply greatly preferred on these dirt roads" advises one experienced visitor, suggesting families bring vehicles with adequate clearance.
Multi-day preparation: The significant distance from services requires comprehensive meal planning. Families should pack shelf-stable food with minimal refrigeration requirements for trips exceeding three days.
Swimming spots: Camp Draw Trailhead provides access to creek areas suitable for supervised water play. However, one visitor cautions about variable conditions: "It can snow well into June, so be sure to keep an eye on the forecast" before planning water activities.
Educational opportunities: The area offers natural science learning experiences through wilderness observation. "We were able to walk up and down a bit of it, and see a variety of wildlife, bugs, birds, and more!" reports one family, suggesting bringing field guides for species identification.
Tips from RVers
Limited designated sites: Big Cottonwood Campground offers some of the few RV-accessible sites in the region. One RVer notes, "This is the first one coming in from Idaho. Just a few spots that are almost next to each other," indicating limited availability requiring early arrival.
Turn-around challenges: The narrow access roads create difficulties for larger rigs. RVs exceeding 25 feet in length will encounter challenging navigation, particularly beyond the town of Jarbidge where pull-through sites are nonexistent.
Alternative options: When established campgrounds fill, dispersed camping along road pullouts provides additional possibilities. "There were so many campsites along the dusty dirt road through Jarbidge wilderness both before and after the historic living ghost town," reports one RV camper, though these lack any facilities.
