Tent camping near Osburn, Idaho offers primitive backcountry experiences on predominantly Forest Service and BLM lands. Most sites are situated between 2,500-4,800 feet elevation, resulting in shorter camping seasons at higher elevations due to snow conditions. Campgrounds tend to be small, with many offering just 2-5 sites, creating intimate settings for visitors seeking seclusion or group experiences.
What to do
Fishing alpine lakes: Lake Elsie Campground provides rainbow and brook trout fishing in a mountain setting. "We always catch lots of brooke and rainbow trout and wild life is everywhere!" notes Jessica C., who visits regularly.
Explore trail systems: Breakwater Campground serves as an access point for extensive dirt bike routes. "It's a great starting point to some really good dirt bike trails," says Dealspeed, who appreciates the primitive nature of the site.
Cave exploration: Marble Creek Campground offers access to a unique man-made cave system. "Just miles from the camp, there is an old man-built cave that makes its way through the entire mountain. You can drop family members off, let them walk through the exciting damp, dark cave, and pick them up on the other side," explains Jade F.
What campers like
Natural water features: Many sites have creek access for additional recreation. "Every camp has great access to the creek where you can search for all kinds of beautiful rocks and even go fishing," says a Marble Creek visitor.
Non-developed camping: Tingley Spring represents the true backcountry experience. "There are several sites near here and it's remote enough to sight in your guns and do a little practice... As you would expect there is not much maintenance of the trees nearby," notes Megan K.
Water sports opportunities: Smaller lakes accommodate non-motorized boats. "The lake is fairly small so it's only ideal for certain types of boats... Around the lake are smaller shrub like trees so you can't hang near the waterfront unfortunately," explains a visitor to Killarney Lake area.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Bears frequent some campsites, requiring proper food storage. "Multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart," warns Natalie J. about Lake Elsie Campground.
Cleanliness varies seasonally: Peak summer conditions may include litter issues at popular sites. "This is my 2nd time visiting and the quality has dramatically dropped... There was broken glass EVERYWHERE. We cleaned up so much trash in our site and off the road," reports Diadra G. about Lake Elsie during late summer.
Fire restrictions: Despite restrictions, compliance issues exist. "Despite being stage 1 fire restrictions, multiple people were having fires, one person's was still smoldering when I got up the next morning," notes a Lake Elsie visitor in 2024.
Tips for camping with families
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience significant recreational vehicle traffic. "If you are not into ATV and dirt bike riding, I would not recommend. Other campers were riding their bikes all day and night making it very loud, especially with the echos off the lake," shares a Lake Elsie reviewer.
Bathroom facilities: Plan accordingly for minimal or absent facilities. Telichpah Campground offers "a well-maintained vault toilet" according to Gretchen B., who adds, "we didn't see a pump or other water source in the campground."
Weather planning: Higher elevation sites remain snow-covered into late spring. "The road sometimes still has a good foot of snow until about Mid-June, so beware," advises Saphrenne R. about access to Lake Elsie.
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Many campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "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, and that's pushing it pretty hard," warns Samuel H. about Lake Elsie Campground.
Limited RV sites: Few campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "ROAD IS NARROW, WINDY, AND STEEP. not at all trailer or big rig friendly," states lili G. about Lake Elsie access.
Site selection timing: Weekday arrivals increase chances of securing sites. "It might get a bit crowded on summer weekends but multiple sites were vacant when we arrived on a Thursday afternoon in July," reports Ivy K. about camping at Lake Elsie.
