Near Murphy, Idaho, tent camping options span from riverside sites along the Snake River to high-desert settings in the Owyhee Mountains at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 7,500 feet. The landscape shifts dramatically from water-adjacent camping to sagebrush desert terrain. Temperatures can fluctuate over 40 degrees between day and night, with summer days regularly exceeding 95°F and dropping to 55°F after sunset.
What to do
Bird watching and wildlife viewing: At Swan Falls - Idaho Power, campers report excellent bird watching opportunities, especially birds of prey. "There are plenty of activities here, not to mention the fact that this canyon was carved out by a massive flood about 15,000 years ago when the Bonneville Lake emptied. And if you are into watching Birds of Prey, hearing coyotes yipping at night and having rabbits running around, as well as some deer cruising the area, this is a nice place for a weekend getaway," notes one visitor.
Brown trout fishing: The Owyhee River - Below Dam area offers exceptional fishing just over an hour from Murphy. "If you enjoy Fly Fishing for Brown Trout, this place is awesome. There is dispersed camping all along the river below the dam," shares one angler. The river has gained a reputation for trophy-sized catches.
Historic exploration: Visit the preserved mining buildings in Silver City while tent camping nearby. "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 one camper who explored this unique destination.
What campers like
Solitude and privacy: Many tent campers appreciate the isolation available in the Murphy area, especially at Succor Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping. As one camper notes, "This may not be for most campers but if you are a desert rat like myself, who loves to get AWAY FROM ALL, You will be very pleased!" The campground offers a genuine wilderness experience.
Variety of terrain: Campers value the diverse landscape transitions. At Silver City Campground, visitors appreciate "the landscape is this breathtaking mix of trees and rock formations and sagebrush. We hiked all over and climbed on the rocks."
Quick accessibility: Despite feeling remote, many camping areas are relatively close to civilization. One camper at Swan Falls notes it's "Located just a 40 minute drive from the city of Boise, this campground is the perfect quick getaway." Another mentions, "If you're needing a quick getaway for the weekend but cant go too far from Boise/Meridian, Swan Falls is the place for you!"
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Access to many tent camping sites requires careful navigation. The dirt roads into Morley Nelson Snake River Dispersed Campsites can be challenging as one camper warns, "We parked right beside the river, and it was absolutely gorgeous. However, I don't recommend taking a car on this road. It's definitely an ATV road as it's very rough."
Wildlife precautions: Several camping areas around Murphy require vigilance for wildlife, particularly snakes. At Succor Creek, a camper advises, "When it's hot, Rattle Snakes could be around. Most won't come out until the bugs do so be aware!"
Navigation challenges: GPS directions can be misleading in this remote area. For example, at Owyhee River Below Dam, a visitor cautions, "Don't follow your gps to the coordinates given here, if you follow it to the point on google maps you'll end up at one of the highest points in that valley."
Water availability: Nearly all tent camping locations near Murphy require bringing all water supplies. No potable water exists at most sites, and even those near water sources may not have safe drinking water. One Silver City camper noted, "I didn't drink the creek water. I don't know if it's safe, so but err'd on the side of caution due to the towns mining history."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campsites with established facilities: For tent camping with children, look for areas with some infrastructure. Shafer Butte gets recommended as "Perfect place to teach young ones the joy of camping; campground is open, mostly flat and easy to keep your eyes the tykes."
Bring multiple cooling options: Summer tent camping near Murphy requires heat management strategies. Pack spray bottles, cooling towels, and portable fans as temperatures frequently exceed 95°F with limited shade.
Plan morning activities: Schedule hiking, fishing, and exploration before 10am to avoid midday heat. Swan Falls offers good early morning fishing opportunities with one visitor noting, "Fishing here is very popular too, with huge bass jumping all evening and night."
Consider seasonal timing: Spring and fall provide more moderate temperatures. A Shafer Butte camper shared, "We came here the first weekend of the summer it was open, so it was definitely cold. Our campsite hadn't been used since fall, so it was pretty overgrown when we got there."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations matter: Larger RVs face challenges at most sites near Murphy. At Swan Falls, one 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."
Bring leveling equipment: The terrain at most Murphy area campsites is uneven. Pack extra leveling blocks as most sites lack graded pads.
Plan for steep access roads: Some camping areas feature challenging approaches. One Swan Falls camper warns, "The drive down from the top is pretty steep. Ensure your vehicle is powerful enough to pull your rig back up the grade."
