Camping spots near Murray, Idaho offer both developed facilities and remote options in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The region sits within a mountainous area where elevations range from 2,200 to 6,000 feet, creating diverse camping experiences across valleys and ridgelines. Winter snowpack typically melts by late May, though higher elevation sites may remain inaccessible until June.
What to do
Fly fishing access points: North Fork Coeur D'Alene River provides exceptional fly fishing opportunities for catch-and-release cutthroat trout. A visitor to Devils Elbow noted, "Great fishing steps away, but catch and release west slope cutthroat aren't so easy to catch as a recent article in American Fly Fishing magazine suggests."
Mining history exploration: The Crystal Gold Mine offers tours and gold panning experiences near camping areas. A camper shared, "This little camping spot off of interstate 90 is perfect for all ages... their 40 minutes tour of the mine is awesome!! And, it comes with an opportunity to pan for gold and gems."
Trail riding: Lake Elsie Campground provides extensive ATV access with one reviewer mentioning, "Tons of riding trails and a quiet campground." Another visitor added, "Good place if you like to ride your toys. You'll want to bring good cars because the road gets pretty primitive."
What campers like
Riverside camping experience: Many campsites offer direct water access, with the North Fork Coeur D'Alene River receiving praise for its location. One camper explained, "The water is honestly my favorite part about this spot! You're not camping right on it as there are some bushes and an incline, but every spot has a tiny little 1 minute walk down to the water."
Swimming opportunities: Devils Elbow provides family-friendly swimming areas with one visitor noting it has "nice swimming for the kids and quiet." Another review mentioned it has "clean waters to swim, vault style toilets and a friendly camp host."
Mountain lake settings: Lake Elsie Campground offers a unique alpine lake experience where "you will find a lovely little lake with 4-5 camp spots surrounding it." A visitor described it as "one of the most spectacular campsites I have ever been to" while another noted it's "awesome for kayaking and paddle boarding."
What you should know
Road conditions and accessibility: Access to Lake Elsie requires preparation as "the road up is rough, potholes, it does get better about halfway up. Expect at least 30 minutes to get up after you hit the gravel." For Devils Elbow, the road is more manageable with "wide back in or pull through driveways" though sites vary in shade coverage.
Wildlife awareness: Lake Elsie campers should prepare for wildlife encounters as one camper warned, "Multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart."
Seasonal fluctuations: Devils Elbow is best visited on weekdays during early summer according to one camper who advised, "Go on a weekday" to avoid crowds. Lake Elsie roads "sometimes still has a good foot of snow until about Mid-June," limiting early season access.
Tips for camping with families
Group camping options: Berlin Flats accommodates larger family gatherings with one visitor noting, "This was the location where my friends and I did our first group camping trip. The site we stayed at was not huge but there were areas off in the distance we used."
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Big Hank Campground offers accessible fishing for families as it's "very quiet and right along the Coeur d'Alene river. Good for fishing" with "good nearby fishing gear, catch and release."
Swimming safety: Devils Elbow includes "a very remote feeling which was welcomed" and features a "HUGE" group site that "would provide a lot of enjoyment" for family reunions. The campground has "lots of free firewood around, and clean waters to swim."
Tips from RVers
Downtown access: Wallace RV Park provides convenient access to local amenities with one RVer noting it's "blocks from Historic Old Town Wallace" and "within walking distance to charming downtown." Another added, "It's hard to beat having a brewery and restaurant on site."
Hookup availability: While many dispersed sites lack facilities, Wallace RV Park offers "full hookups $45" which "includes showers and toilets free." Another camper praised the "awful hook up sites, all very level" noting the staff is "incredible and the sound of the river is wonderful!"
RV size considerations: Big Hank Campground has limited space with some sites "quite small so it made finding a nice place to set up the tent a little tricky," suggesting larger RVs may struggle. By contrast, Devils Elbow offers "wide back in or pull through driveways" in a "beautiful one, fir forest."
