216 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near New Meadows, Idaho encompasses a range of forested mountain sites within the Payette National Forest and surrounding areas. The region includes established campgrounds like Cold Springs Campground, dispersed camping at Lost Valley Reservoir, and several RV parks. Located approximately 100 miles north of Boise, this area sits at the junction of Highways 55 and 95, providing access to both McCall's popular recreation areas and more remote forest camping. Ponderosa State Park near McCall offers developed camping on a peninsula jutting into Payette Lake, while free dispersed camping can be found throughout the national forest lands. According to campers, the area is known for its abundant huckleberry picking in late summer and access to natural hot springs.
Most campgrounds in the New Meadows area operate seasonally from May through October, with higher elevation sites opening later in June. Winter snow typically closes forest roads and campgrounds by late October. Summer temperatures range from 45-85°F, while afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August. Fire restrictions are frequently implemented during late summer months. Cell service is limited to non-existent in most camping areas outside of towns. Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles, particularly for accessing dispersed camping areas. Visitors should check with the Payette National Forest office in McCall for current road conditions and fire restrictions.
The camping experience varies significantly between developed and dispersed sites. RV parks and state park campgrounds near McCall and Cascade offer full hookups, showers, and easy access to town amenities. Forest Service campgrounds like Cold Springs provide basic amenities including vault toilets and potable water but no hookups. Dispersed camping at Lost Valley Reservoir offers lakeside sites with minimal facilities. One visitor noted, "The lake is small and as summer progresses, water is drained from the reservoir. I prefer camping here until about the first week of August before water levels drop drastically." Fishing opportunities abound in the area's lakes and streams, with trout being the primary catch. Boat ramps are available at larger reservoirs, though many have no-wake restrictions.
"Ponderosa is in beautiful McCall, Idaho. Close to downtown and the lake. Great hiking trails. Good park for a family. The campsites are right next to one another, so not much privacy there."
"Great walking path around and down to the lake as well! Quick 10min ride into town for a nice lake side dinner."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"As of now (2020) the campground is closed to the public until they can clean it up. It is very close to McCall and New Meadows which is great."
"The best hot spring locates a short distance from the campground. This is one of my favorite places to camp. The trees around gave us plenty of shade on a hot day!"
from $15 / night
Check Availability"After about 1/2 mile, you will see the lake off to your right. There are camp sites all along this stretch of the lake with direct access to the lake."
"Plenty of off-road trails."
"Close to McCall,several pull-thrus; even indoor hot tubs! No restaurant but you’ll be close to many great ones"
"The location is nice and quiet, awa from traffic.They have a nice lodge with an indoor heated swimming pool. Each site had a picnic table but no fire pit where we stayed."
from $95 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $39 - $54 / night
Check Availability"We just did a 2400 mile trip from Utah to Glacier NP and down through Idaho stopping at 10 campgrounds along the way. What a fun place to stay here, the camp host (Jill) was the sweetest lady ever!"
"There’s a ton of access to hikes and different places around the lake. Hiking up to granite mountain lookout was a highlight."
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Campground is well maintained and provides access to toilets and water (hand pump). Nice fire rings and picnic tables at each site. But the sites are close together and the mosquitos were swarming."
"Close to lost lake. A bit tight road around the camp, but I've seen 5th wheelers in there. Clean sites, even some ADA sites."
from $10 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Driving down a pot-holed, dirt road for quite awhile, we found ourselves concerned that we may not find something. We then spotted a beautiful lake through the trees. "
"We went here for mountain biking (if you go, check out Groupon for the lift) this campground was awesome because it was so close to Brundage resort, and the ski lift up, it was such an enjoyable stay,"
"quiet, easily accesible near hiking trail and Weiser river"
from $10 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Council is one of my favorite areas in Idaho. This campground is well kept, wooded, and easy. There are some dispersed camping areas near by as well!"
"The state parks in Idaho are some of the best we have found in all our travels. The only downside was no services in the midst of a heatwave. 100!!!"
from $15 / night
Check Availability
GuideThe road getting up there was a bit difficult even with 4-wheel drive after all the rain. But once in the right area, I found a great little cut off road that dead ended at a camp site. Lots of deer, no other people around.
ScoutVery nice hosts. Best RV showers.
TravelerGreat camp hosts wonderful to have Full hook ups. Sites not too close to one another great to have the lake so close and have plenty of trails and pads to ride and walk on and enjoy the beauty of nature.
ScoutI'm planning on camping there next week, so I'll let ya know. The info about hook-ups etc. is wrong as what I've read. Just a swell looking campground at an affordable cost.
I have plenty of solar so I expect to enjoy this campground.
Take Care everyone!
Guide⭐ Overall Rating: 3.5 / 5
The campground is in good overall condition with several nice sites along the river, but there isn’t much to do on the property itself. It works well for an overnight stop, but it’s not a destination campground for longer stays.
🏕️ Campground Grounds & Amenities — 4 / 5
• The grounds are well maintained and clean. • Plenty of trash cans, riverfront spots, and ice/firewood available. • Laundry room and a small book exchange are nice touches. • Children’s play area and a horseshoe pit are available, though the pit only had three horseshoes, which made playing a bit awkward.
🔌 Hookups — 3 / 5
• Power and water worked perfectly. • Cable TV did not work, even though it was advertised. • Dump stations are available and easy to access.
🚻 Restrooms — 3.5 / 5
• Clean facilities with plenty of hot water in the showers. • Men’s room is small for a campground with 50 RV sites:• 1 urinal • 1 toilet • 2 showers
📍 Area & Activities — 3 / 5
• Not much to do on-site beyond the basics. • No hiking trails — just an asphalt driveway. • You’ll need a car to reach any local attractions or activities.
👥 Camp Hosts — 4 / 5
• Great communication before arrival via email and text. • Website was easy to use for booking. • Only negative: the female camp host approached us to tell us our outdoor rug couldn’t be on the grass. The request was reasonable, but the delivery was abrupt — no introduction or greeting. Not rude, but not warm either. A simple “Hi, I’m…” would have gone a long way.
🛏️ Who This Campground Is Best For
• Overnight travelers • Road trippers needing a clean, reliable stop • RVers who want riverfront scenery but don’t need on-site activities
🎯 Bottom Line
We’d stay here again for a one‑night stop, but it’s not ideal for a multi‑day stay unless you plan to spend most of your time off‑site.
TravelerThe campground itself is ok. If you get a site down by the water, those are the only ones with picnic tables and fire pits (19, 20, 21, 22, D1, D2, D3, where D = no hookups). Many of the sites with hookups are basically parallel parking spots but they don’t have their own picnic tables or fire pits. There are no tents allowed on the grass in the RV area, they are allowed on the pavement only. Tents are of course welcome on the grass in the tent camping area. There are picnic tables and fire rings in the tent area. Sites 6 and 8 were very sunny and hot. There is river access for swimming, shady areas over by the swimming area, and shady areas with picnic tables in the day use areas. The tent sites appeared to be on a slope. The camp host was THE BEST! She moved us out of a sunny site and had one available with a fire pit and picnic table for our first night. She checked back in frequently and was delightful to visit with. She takes excellent care of her guests and made the whole weekend especially enjoyable. There are docks available for boat parking and additional parking available for boat trailers. The grass is as green as can be and is watered daily which makes it very nice. There are flush toilets and a shower for guests to use as well as some porta potties. Dogs are welcome and must be leashed at all times. There are trash receptacles for waste and the campground was incredibly clean and nice.
TravelerThese sites are basic but have picnic tables and fire rings, accommodating tents, campers, or smaller RVs. Direct access to the lake with a very small boat launch. Not a great swimming area but great for fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding. Shady sites. Composting toilets. No water or hookups. May have better swimming access points on the other side of the lake where it’s more sandy/rocky.
ScoutPlenty of room, close to town, free, toilets, great views.
ScoutLimited amenities but only $15. Great view. Very few people here during my stay
The New Meadows area offers diverse camping spots at elevations between 3,800-6,000 feet, nestled within mountainous terrain near the Payette National Forest. Most camping areas remain open from late May through September, with higher sites receiving snow as early as October. Local camping costs range from free dispersed sites to $15-30 for established campgrounds with basic amenities.
Hiking to waterfalls: Access the Goose Creek Falls trail directly from Last Chance Campground, a moderate 2.8-mile route to impressive falls. "The hike up the river to the falls is one of the better short hikes in the area but there is evidence of bears," notes one visitor, while another camper explains "the trail is exceptionally well designed and has boardwalks over muddy stretches."
Huckleberry picking: Harvest wild huckleberries from mid-July through August on trails surrounding camping areas. "This is a great place to access Goose Creek Falls. A great hike for the family. It is also a good place to pick Morels in the spring and Huckleberries in the summer," shares a Last Chance camper.
Fishing in smaller lakes: Try fishing at Brundage Reservoir or Lost Valley Reservoir for trout. At Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area, one camper reports, "Great spot tucked into the trees. Some sites are a bit cramped, but enjoyable. Cool trails and nearby water to keep the kids occupied."
Indoor amenities during bad weather: The McCall RV Resort offers unexpected comforts just 15 minutes from New Meadows. "Wow this park is amazing, very well run 10 out of 10 on this one. The indoor pool and spa and steam room made this my favorite park so far on our journey," writes one visitor.
Privacy between sites: While some campgrounds have tightly packed sites, others offer more seclusion. At Grouse Campground, campers appreciate the natural separation. "The campsite is clean and right by the water. There's a ton of access to hikes and different places around the lake. Hiking up to granite mountain lookout was a highlight," notes one review.
Clean facilities: Many campers comment on the well-maintained bathrooms in the area. "Ponderosa State Park receives more visitors than any other state park in Idaho. It is on a peninsula that juts into Payette Lake. In the summer you will find vast amounts of huckleberries, wonderful swimming, and many deer," shares a visitor to Peninsula Campground.
Site availability and timing: The most popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Plan ahead and book early. Great campsites with full hook ups and amenities. Much to do around McCall, yet this campground is good for resting and enjoying the outdoors," recommends a Peninsula camper.
Water level changes: Lake levels drop throughout summer at several reservoirs. At Lost Valley Reservoir, "The road continues along the lake edge and over a small dam. There are several small, dirt access roads that lead to the lakes edge with camping sites at the end of each. Several roads are VERY rough and have deep ruts in them."
Road conditions: Many camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. At Cold Springs Campground, "The road and drive spurs are gravel, but nice and not too dusty. People were pretty good about driving slow around the loop which was nice."
Swimming access: Look for sites with safe swimming areas for children. "PSP is a great place to stay or spend a day at. There is great lake access, hiking trails, and the Ponderosa's are superb! I like to go to PSP during the 'off-season' to avoid the crowds," advises a Peninsula Campground visitor.
Bug protection: Mosquitoes can be problematic in early summer. "Campground is well maintained and provides access to toilets and water (hand pump). Nice fire rings and picnic tables at each site. But the sites are close together and the mosquitos were swarming," notes a Cold Springs camper.
Campground activities: Some sites offer special amenities for kids. "Great RV park! Park has a food truck on the property which was a nice treat. Clean showers and laundry service. Also have decent phone service for the area," explains a visitor to Black Bear RV Park.
RV size limitations: Many forest service roads have tight turns and clearance issues. "Spent Labor Day weekend here. Close to lost lake. A bit tight road around the camp, but I've seen 5th wheelers in there. Clean sites, even some ADA sites. When you see the sign, hang a left or it's 2 more miles before you can turn around with a trailer," advises a Cold Springs visitor.
Hookup availability: Full hookups are limited to commercial campgrounds near McCall. "Close to McCall, several pull-thrus; even indoor hot tubs! No restaurant but you'll be close to many great ones," notes a visitor to McCall RV Resort.
Parking assistance: Some RV parks provide help with parking. "Great place where there are lots of amenities. Escorted to our spot and helped us back in. Cable as well. We had bad weather, but the site, 115, felt pretty isolated," shares another McCall RV Resort camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at New Meadows campgrounds?
Campgrounds near New Meadows offer varying levels of amenities. City of Donnelly Campground provides a convenient location right on the river with easy access to the lake, town, and mountains. For more developed facilities, Huckleberry Campground at Lake Cascade State Park features well-maintained, wooded sites. Many campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and outhouses, while some offer additional facilities such as water spigots. For RV travelers, options like Black Bear RV Park offer more comprehensive services including water hookups, toilets, and big-rig-friendly spaces, though these are typically found closer to McCall.
Where are the best campgrounds near New Meadows, Idaho?
The New Meadows area offers several excellent camping options. Cold Springs Campground in the Payette National Forest provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilets. For those willing to venture a bit farther, Poverty Flat offers a peaceful setting with a water spigot and outhouse facilities, and is conveniently located near hot springs. Spring Creek Campground is another beautiful mountain retreat, accessible via 12 miles of dirt road that's navigable even for low-profile vehicles. These campgrounds provide excellent bases for exploring the scenic mountains and recreational opportunities in the New Meadows region.
What are the free camping options available in New Meadows?
Free camping near New Meadows includes Herrick Reservoir Access, where you can stay up to 10 days at no cost. This dispersed camping area has no designated sites and is surrounded by private land, so pay attention to signage to ensure you're on public property. Another option is Ruby Meadows Trailhead, which offers primitive camping opportunities. While this area experienced some fire damage, much of it has survived and is popular with ATV enthusiasts. For those willing to drive a bit further, numerous dispersed camping opportunities exist in the surrounding Payette National Forest, where standard 14-day stay limits typically apply.
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