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Best Tent Camping near Picabo, ID

282 Reviews

Tent camping options near Picabo, Idaho include several established campgrounds nestled in the Challis National Forest and surrounding area. Little Wood River offers free primitive tent sites with spaced-out camping areas along a creek, while Fish Creek Reservoir provides tent camping from May through October with scenic mountain backdrops. Uncle Johns Gulch offers dispersed tent camping along Corral Creek Road with free sites and nearby hiking trails.

Tent sites throughout the Picabo region typically feature minimal development with fire rings at established locations and occasional picnic tables. Most campgrounds have vault toilets, though water availability varies significantly. Little Wood River has a portable water pump that may produce discolored water, while Iron Bog Campground offers drinking water during the main season. Cell service is largely unavailable at most tent camping locations, with multiple reviewers noting complete absence of coverage. Campers should bring adequate water supplies as several primitive tent areas like Broad Canyon have no potable water source.

Summer temperatures can be hot during daytime hours, with conditions improving significantly in the evenings. Mosquitoes are common in early summer, particularly near water sources. Many tent sites offer access to fishing opportunities and day hiking trails. Uncle Johns Gulch provides secluded camping alongside a stream with immediate access to hiking and mountain biking trails. The region offers excellent solitude, particularly at less-visited primitive tent areas. A visitor noted that Iron Bog Campground remains peaceful "even in the summer, when almost everything seems like it's packed to the gills." Several tent camping areas feature beautiful mountain views, with some sites offering shade near creeks while others are situated in more open terrain with greater sun exposure and mountain vistas.

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Best Tent Sites Near Picabo, Idaho (27)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Picabo, ID

2 Photos of 27 Picabo Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Picabo, ID

282 Reviews of 27 Picabo Campgrounds

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2022

    Prairie Creek Camping

    Beautiful Free Spot

     There are about 6 designated spots here in this free little campground.  Camping is allowed in designated sites only and there is a 10 day stay limit.

    Site #1 is all by itself to the right at the fork, and it was the best site, in our opinion. 

    Each site has a fire pit (no fires allowed at this time!). There is no picnic bench. There is one vault toilet and no garbage collection and no water.  There are no bear boxes but proper bear-proof food storage is required.

    A small creek runs along this campground and the views are incredible. Nice shade cover and trees. This area is fine dirt and so-so in terms of flat spots. Campground is right on the road so you hear the cars but considering how beautiful and free the campground it, the cars aren’t bothersome. Plus it quiets down at night. 

    Zero cell service.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2022

    Prairie Creek Camping

    Beautiful Free Spot

     There are about 6 designated spots here in this free little campground.  Camping is allowed in designated sites only and there is a 10 day stay limit.

    Site #1 is all by itself to the right at the fork, and it was the best site, in our opinion. 

    Each site has a fire pit (no fires allowed at this time!). There is no picnic bench. There is one vault toilet and no garbage collection and no water.  There are no bear boxes but proper bear proof food storage is required.

    A small creek runs along this campground and the views are incredible. Nice shade cover and trees. This area is fine dirt and so-so in terms of flat spots. Campground is right on the road so you hear the cars but considering how beautiful and free the campground it, the cars aren’t bothersome. Plus it quiets down at night. 

    Zero cell service.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2019

    Caribou Campground

    Small but pleasant

    This is a tent only campground(there is nowhere for RVs to turn around, and backing out would be a horrific proposition) with only seven sites. The best sites are the four that are on the creek side of the camp road. There is a vault toilet(not especially clean) and a bear proof dumpster, and lots of signs about bears, but no bear boxes for food storage. The campsites are nicely shaded, but not especially private(you can see most of the sites from each other). This campground is$2 cheaper than the next closest campground(I drove to the other site to check it out and returned here because except for the price, they were about the same). There is a pretty cool avalanche/rock slide up the road that is impressive in size and there are some pretty cool beaver dams and lodges in the creek/marshy area that feeds into the river. Be careful picking a site along the creek as it runs pretty close to the edge of two sites and I suspect the sites get flooded during big rains(due to the beaver dams). Showers are not terribly far away at Redfish Lake Park.

  • Jake G.
    May. 28, 2019

    Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

    The Earthside of the Moon

    This is what you would expect in the wilderness of Idaho! A unique location, and an experience worth having!

    Please obey posted fire safety warnings as Idaho is plagued by enough man made wildfires each year!

    Have fun and leave no trace!

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2019

    Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

    Camping on the moon

    Holy Cow! It really was like camping on the moon(except the wind) or on a volcano. This is a barren place due to the volcanic nature of the land, but it was very pretty and the campground was set up in an almost ingenious way to provide privacy for most sites. There were essentially two loops, but the loops had lots of twists and turns and ups and downs in order to squeeze in the most number of sites with the most privacy. I ended up with a deep site where I could set my tent up between some lava rocks to get some semblance of a wind break. From inside my tent I could not see any other sites(which was really nice), but I could see my neighbors from my picnic table. No fires are allowed(which I found interesting since we were camped on a lava flow), and there are no showers(someone told me that maybe I could get a shower at the KOA in Arco, but I didn’t bother). In fact, water is somewhat restricted- there were signs stating RV’s could not fill up, but all were welcome to fill personal water jugs. Even the dish washing station was closed at the restrooms. Speaking of which, the restrooms had flush toilets and sinks with cold water and were fairly clean if a bit outdated. Definitely get some hiking in while you are here. There is a nice trail from the campground that connects to the North Crater Flow trail, and if you have some stamina climb the Inferno Cone for great views(watch the ground for cinders that look like glass!). Get a permit at the visitors center to go into the lava tube caves(its free but required). I only hiked in Indian Cave as I wasn’t comfortable with the pitch black dark of Boy Scout and Beauty Caves by myself. Definitely check out the town of Arco, the first in the nation to be powered by nuclear energy. Not far from Arco is the nuclear power plant, decommissioned, where you can take a free tour. Back at the campground there is one last important note- you have to pay the electronic ranger for your campsite, and NO cash is accepted. Only credit cards.

  • Stephanie V.
    Oct. 30, 2020

    Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

    Nestled in the lava landscape

    Prepare to have your mind blown as you roll in to Lava Flow Campground. It is nestled in the uniquely lunar landscape caused by, well, lava flow. The grounds sit at the entrance of the scenic 7-mile loop that provides access to trails that take you over, under, and around various volcanic features.

    We went during COVID times, so there was no access to the caves. Still, it was a memorable experience driving the loop and hiking around. In late October, the water was shut off due to frozen pipes, restrooms were closed except for the vault toilets. We found the vaults to be remarkably clean and unstinky. 

    The sites varied drastically in quality and size- probably because they were built around existing landscape that begged to be preserved. Because it was a weekday and off-season, we had the grounds to ourselves and took our time selecting the best site, and made sure to mark our favorites for the next trip. Site 27 was our favorite for sweeping views and size, but we ended up staying in 29, which is nestled on its own in some lava rocks that provide wind protection.

  • J
    Nov. 2, 2019

    Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed

    Well kept, sweet oasis

    We pulled in and were amazed how nice it was to be right by the creek with covered shelter, picnic table, fire ring, and vault toilet and no charge. Two Tent pad sites, or places to pull in with truck/trailer etc. we thought it was nice and quiet, and the fishing seemed like it would have been fantastic if we would have had some time to stay. Silver creek/Picabo anglers not far up the road and is worth the trip.

  • C
    Oct. 22, 2020

    Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

    Stunning Spot

    An absolutely beautiful place to camp. Black lava rock everywhere. No cell service. No hookups but if you have a generator it’s all good to run it during normal non quiet hours. Vault toilets open in winter. Lots of fun hikes within the park. Sites have grills and can be used for RVs or tents. 15 or 7.50 if you are NPS pass holder or senior

  • Breezy A.
    Jul. 19, 2018

    North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest

    Most excellent!

    Beautiful campground located at the mouth of Sawtooth Natl Forest. Right next to Wood River and surrounded by huge cottonwoods. Vault toilets and well water from spigot available. Pets allowed on leash. Good basecamp for exploring the Sawtooth area and Ketchum! I only knocked it down to 4 stars for highway noise which was rarely bothersome.

Guide to Picabo

Tent camping near Picabo, Idaho offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature, with several well-reviewed spots that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a rustic experience.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $10

  • Enjoy a free stay at Little Wood River, where campers appreciate the spacious sites and clean environment.
  • At Fish Creek Reservoir, the cost is minimal, and visitors love the beautiful backdrop of rolling hills.
  • For a budget-friendly option, Iron Bog Campground charges just $10, providing a peaceful atmosphere in the Challis National Forest.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Fishing enthusiasts will find easy access to great spots at Little Wood River, making it a perfect choice for anglers.
  • The remote setting of Fish Creek Reservoir offers opportunities for birdwatching, including sightings of bald eagles.
  • Hikers can explore numerous trails starting right from Iron Bog Campground, ideal for those seeking adventure in the wilderness.

Unique features of the campgrounds

  • Little Wood River provides drinking water, though it's advisable to bring your own supply for better quality.
  • At Fish Creek Reservoir, the campground is well laid out, ensuring a comfortable stay despite the lack of amenities.
  • Iron Bog Campground allows campfires, enhancing the camping experience under the stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Picabo, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Picabo, ID is Little Wood River with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Picabo, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 tent camping locations near Picabo, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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