Top Free Dispersed Camping near Payette, ID

Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Payette? Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Idaho camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Payette, ID (6)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Payette

13 Reviews of 6 Payette Campgrounds


  • Casey B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    Jun. 26, 2024

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Beautiful, but...

    It's an absolutely stunning location, but there are very few spots with any shade at all and it gets HOT out there. Depending on how rugged your vehicle is, spots are limited. No T-Mobile service. Oh, and the bugs are insane.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    May. 28, 2024

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Rocky campsites

    All sites are on tent-stake-resistant river cobble, though some disguised with a thin layer of dirt, or a white layer of alkali or talc. Combined with the smell of dead fish, difficult fishing access (river level 2000+ cfs), frequent lack of shade, poison ivy, invasive plants, trash hither and yon, we yawned and went on. . .

  • Lauren J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    May. 24, 2024

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    The views are Beautiful

    The views are beautiful, but some of the sites are less than to be desired. If you have a 4WD vehicle you should be just fine, but if you have a trailer or camper, that can really limit what spots you can get to. Also, people really need to learn how to not leave trash behind. There is no cell service so you really get to just enjoy the scenery.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    Apr. 3, 2024

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Quiet.

    This place is absolutely beautiful and would be perfect if it weren't for people leaving so much trash behind. My wife and I spent a lot of time picking up countless bullet casing and other trash. We heard numerous birds in the area, such as killdeer, mourning doves and owls. We saw a few small bunnies, not sure of the kind. There's a lot of dispersed camping. We saw RVs, Vans and a few tents. It was very quiet and people usually only stayed a few nights. We were here for 9 days. The hot springs are off the road across the street from the sign. It was a little too hot for my liking but my wife enjoyed wading in it.

  • aaron S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    Jun. 29, 2023

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Beautiful but boisterous.

    Our site was located right off the road along the river. The views of the canyon were spectacular and our site was about a 5 minute walk along the road to Snively Hot Springs. Amazing backdrop for free dispersed camping. HOWEVER, the clientele around us wasn’t so idyllic. We were surrounded by loud campers that were partying and yelling well past 11 PM (most of the noise was coming from the hot springs). Cars were coming and going all night (Wednesday) so it was hard to get a peaceful night’s rest. To top it off, we witnessed our neighbor get into a verbal altercation with some interlopers who were fishing near his tent. He was very aggressive, threatening them with a large log and shouting expletive loaded threats at them….all in front of my 7 and 4 year old daughter. It was a bit freaky. I’d give the location 5 stars, the the experience 1 star. If you manage to hit it in a down time when you can get some solitude, this area would be hard to beat.

    On a side note, we checked out the hot springs in the morning. They were cool, but again the experience was tainted by the amount of trash and litter around the fringes of the hot springs from partying the night before.

  • F
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    Nov. 28, 2022

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Amazing views! Sunset to sunrise

    Was driving thru to seattle from the Midwest. My last stop! Easy to find. No signal and no fires allowed due to BLM land. Was a brisk 12° in mid/late November. A few campers. If you have an off road vehicle- it’s great to climb up some hills to find the perfect spot!

  • Jada P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    May. 25, 2022

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Quiet

    These grounds had lots of room despite the amount of people camping.

    I was able to setup a hammock and camp in a cluster of trees and also found some dry wood onsite to burn.

    There was a hot spring nearby that was nice to soak in.

  • Z
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    May. 28, 2021

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Hot springs near by

    Parked little below the coordinates and spent the night by the Snively hot springs. Not as gross as the reviews lead on. Very happy with this find.

  • Andy S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee-Dispersed
    Sep. 2, 2019

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    High Desert At It's Finest

    Pulled off here after driving all the way to Indian Creek before realizing the River Road doesn't go all the way through. Its a nice little spot on the river, very secluded to the point where you cant see your fire from the road (we checked). Decent amount of shade for the desert, but from about 1pm-3pm you're going to have to make your own shade, it gets super hot during the summer. Definitely bring your own wood, everything around the area is either too green or too small to have any sort of decent fire. Camp now has a nice little trail to the river, plenty of fish in the area. Great little dispersed site for a desert getaway. Please pick up your trash if you do use the site!

  • Andy S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park
    Aug. 19, 2019

    Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park

    Good little place

    Firstly, dont 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 (and you'll see my newly made "night one" site. If you want the site in the pictures, which was fairly quiet other than a few people checking if it was open, take the first right after the bridge and follow the trail down. Lots of trails, more people near the river but if you're into desert camping and want seclusion you'll want to get into the hills (towards google maps point) but hang a right at the top of the trail. Overall, pretty great place to getaway.

  • Ed E.
    Camper-submitted photo from Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park
    May. 22, 2018

    Owyhee River - Below Dam - Owyhee Dam Park

    Trophy Brown Trout Fishery!!!

    If you enjoy Fly Fishing for Brown Trout, this place is awesome. There is dispersed camping all along the river below the dam. It is very rugged, but there are amenities for camping. Just follow Owyhee Lake Rd along the river and you will find spaces to set up your tent or RV. It is a bit deserty, so beware of snakes. You will find quite a few places before the tunnel. There are some places for RVs after the tunnel as well. But there are quite a few places to set up tents. There are some J-Jons along the stretch of river with camping spots near them.



Guide to Payette

Camping near Payette, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Fishing: The Snake River is a great spot for fishing. One camper mentioned, "I caught 10 small mouth Bass, couple were keepers!" at the Snake River RV Resort.
  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails for stunning views. A visitor at Indian Creek Campground — Lake Owyhee State Park said, "The drive was well worth the stunning mountain and lake views."
  • Boating: If you have a boat, the lakes and rivers around Payette are perfect for a day on the water. One reviewer noted, "The lake is great for those with watercraft," at Indian Creek Campground.

What campers like

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have little to no cell reception. A camper at Indian Creek Campground noted, "There is no cell phone reception, nada, none."
  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially if near roads or other campers. A visitor at Rivers Edge RV Park said, "The neighbors next to us drank all day and all night."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Oasis on the Snake RV Park operates from March to November.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities like playgrounds and clean restrooms. A parent at Cow Hollow Park mentioned, "It’s like staying in a big school playground."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games or outdoor equipment to keep kids entertained. One camper at Ambassador RV Resort said, "The pool and game room were a hit with the kids."
  • Safety First: Always supervise children near water. A reviewer at Oasis on the Snake RV Park advised, "The river right there for fishing or little stroll."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Ambassador RV Resort noted, "Hookup is easy and all in good shape."
  • Arrive Early: Popular spots can fill up quickly, so get there early. A visitor at Rivers Edge RV Park mentioned, "We made it our first stopover on our fall road trip."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take time to visit local attractions or parks. A reviewer at Snake River RV Resort said, "It is such a treat to just hang out there and enjoy the serenity."

Camping near Payette, Idaho, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Payette, ID?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Payette, ID is Public Boat Lanch with a 3.6-star rating from 11 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Payette, ID?

    TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Payette, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.