Glamping accommodations near New Meadows, Idaho offer a base for exploring the mountainous terrain that ranges from 3,900 feet in town to over 8,000 feet in nearby wilderness areas. The region experiences distinct seasons with the camping season typically running from May through October when mountain access roads are clear of snow. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer days average in the 70s and 80s with cool evenings.
What to do
Fishing at alpine lakes: Hazard Lake in Payette National Forest offers excellent brook trout fishing opportunities. A visitor noted, "This is a good canoe lake" that's ideal for anglers looking for high-elevation fishing. Another camper mentioned, "Great brook trout fishing and plenty of wildlife to enjoy. It would be a good home base to explore the areas many trails."
Mountain hiking: At Seven Devils Campground in Nez Perce National Forest, visitors access trails throughout Hells Gate Wilderness. A reviewer shared, "There are several hikes that can be done in a single day or stretched out to multi day trips that go along mountaintops and alpine lakes." The campground sits at high elevation with a 45-minute drive on dirt roads required to reach it.
Riverside relaxation: The Little Salmon and Salmon Rivers provide excellent spots for water activities. A visitor to Riverside RV Park observed, "Stand on the bank and watch and hear the River rush by. Lush green grass and picnic tables. Look up to the canyon myna/hill tops all green." Many campsites throughout the region offer direct river access.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Rainbow Point Campground offers ample room between campsites. One camper reported, "The sites are spaced far apart and very spacious. Campground host is great and the campground is clean. There are a few pull throughs which make it easy for RVs." Sites with lake access are particularly popular.
Clean facilities: Northwest Passage Campground maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. A camper noted, "The bathrooms are clean and well-kept. There is no running water at the bathrooms. There are three total in the campground." Many campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities with varying levels of maintenance.
River sounds: Blackhorse Campground provides sites with soothing water sounds. A visitor mentioned, "The creek is right next to the sites and is great to sleep next to! The bathrooms were very clean and the sites were well-maintained and relatively private." Another added, "River sound drowns out noises from the road or other campers."
What you should know
Limited services: Many campgrounds have restricted amenities. At Hazard Lake, a camper warned, "The water pump was out of order due to the test for purity was not processed yet. Bring extra rolls of toilet paper because the outhouses (while they were good) where not resupplied over the weekend."
First-come availability: Some campgrounds don't accept reservations. Northwest Passage Campground operates on a first-come basis as one camper explained: "This campsite is non-reservable. It's first come first serve and usually very busy. The best time to get a spot is Sunday afternoon or Monday and Tuesday. Towards the weekends most spots are full."
Weather preparation: Buck Park Cabin and other high-elevation sites require weather preparation. A visitor noted, "As stated in description it's rustic. Not much to it but it did offer a sheltered place to build a fire/get warm and weather a bad storm." Temperature swings between day and night can be significant even in summer.
Tips for camping with families
Insect protection: Mosquitoes can be problematic in wooded areas. A camper at Northwest Passage Campground advised, "One downfall here is the amount of mosquitoes. They are large and thirsty. We came prepared this year with lots of mosquito spray and some thermoscell mosquito deterrent. It helped immensely."
Swimming options: Waters Edge RV Resort provides dedicated swimming areas. A visitor mentioned, "Clean, leveled, friendly, only 1/4 mile to their downtown. Friendly and helpful staff, showers, toilets, beach area for swimming WITH lounge chairs, swimming right in front, volleyball court, dog walking trails."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to see local wildlife. At Northwest Passage, a camper reported, "The wild life there is abundant. We saw bald eagles, moose, deer and chipmunks." Early mornings and evenings typically provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose riverfront sites where available. At Riverside RV Park, a camper shared, "We stayed in site 8 (full hookups) which is on the river. The view of the river was so spectacular. The river is several feet down with no fence so not the best space if you have young kids."
Budget considerations: Pricing varies significantly between campgrounds. One RVer at Northwest Passage Campground noted concerns about value: "62$. No hooks. No cell. Because I'm out of state." Many campgrounds charge additional fees for out-of-state visitors, so check in advance.
Amenities availability: Arrowhead RV Park provides full hookups with tight spacing. A visitor observed, "Individual spots were extremely tight. Employee had to help us park (even though we didn't feel like we needed it)." Most RV parks in the area operate seasonally from May through October.
