The Porthill, Idaho region sits along the northwestern corner of the state, marked by dense national forest land and mountain ranges that form the Purcell Mountains. Summer temperatures typically range between 70-85°F with cooler evenings dropping to 45-55°F, making sleeping conditions comfortable in tents or shelters. The camping season in this area generally runs from May through September, with most forest service campgrounds closing after the first major snowfall.
What to do
Riverside relaxation spots: At Whitetail Campground, you'll find excellent river access points perfect for cooling off during hot summer days. "We spent the afternoon with our chairs on the riverbank and dangling our feet in the water," notes a visitor at Whitetail Campground.
Waterfall exploration: Yaak Falls provides swimming opportunities in crystal-clear pools beneath horizontal rock formations. A visitor to Yaak Falls Campground shared, "Just a pit toilet and small campsites punctuate this FF jewel. In late July 2020 I arrived about noon and quickly rinsed off in the surprisingly clear bottom of the falls."
Paddling opportunities: Sullivan Lake offers warm, clear waters ideal for kayaking and paddling. "Amazing. Beautiful view very nice sites. Bathrooms well kept. Lake is right there. It's super warm water very clear water," reports a camper from Sullivan Lake Campground.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Campers appreciate the secluded waterfront locations at Yaak River Campground. "Beautiful semi primitive campground right on the Kootenay river. There are 2 campgrounds, one on each side of the Yaak river before it converges with the Kootenay river," notes a reviewer.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural settings provide excellent wildlife spotting chances. At Brush Lake Campground, one visitor mentioned, "The wildlife is here!" while another noted, "We spent one night as part of our trip around the International Selkirk Loop. Small and quiet and just far enough off the highway where it wasn't crowded during the week."
Extra privacy between sites: Edgewater Campground offers well-spaced sites with natural barriers. A camper explains, "Site 16 and others feel more like a private campground with trees in between each site and lots of privacy. Limited to no cell service to get away from it all."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Porthill area fill quickly during peak season (July-August). Kootenai River Campground requires advance booking for prime summer weekends, with a visitor noting, "About 2/3 of the sites are full hookups. Rest water and electric. Tent sites. Owners are great people."
Access limitations: Some sites have challenging access roads. A reviewer at Brush Lake Campground shared, "The road getting there is pretty rough, so be ready for a bit of a bumpy ride. But once you're there, the quiet, the fall colors, and the overall atmosphere more than make up for it."
Seasonal timing: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May through mid-October. A camper at Blue Lake RV Resort observed, "We called ahead and they had plenty of availability, we got a spot with hookups for our van right by the river. Clean bathrooms, nice showers, dish washing station too."
Tips for camping with families
Water play opportunities: Beaches and shallow areas are available at several locations. "We paddle boarded and swam the next day," mentions a visitor at Blue Lake RV Resort, while another camper reports, "The campground has a wine and beer patio, clean bathrooms, nice showers."
Kid-friendly yurt options: Yurt camping near Porthill, Idaho provides a comfortable alternative for families with small children. A camper at Yaak River Campground shared, "We stayed in a yurt it was clean and dry. The camp grounds were nice maybe a bit over crowded but I guess it was that time of the year."
Swimming holes: Several campgrounds offer natural swimming areas. At Sullivan Lake Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Hint there is a rope swing on the left side of the lake. Camp hosts are wicked. Airstrip next door quite cool to watch little planes take off not all the time of course."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on RV length. At Yaak Falls Campground, a visitor advised, "I'd estimate that half the primitive spots could fit a medium sized RV, the others are car/tent sites."
Hookup availability: Blue Lake RV Resort offers full hookups in some areas. A reviewer explained, "Blue Lake is a nice enough campground, but I wouldn't call it a resort. It has a mix of sites, some full hookup pull through that are all side by side without much space, and some more nicely spaced water and electric sites amongst the trees."
Road conditions: Forest service roads can be challenging for larger rigs. As one camper at Yaak River Campground noted, "This campground has camping on both sides of the Yaak river. I would not recommend anything over 25 ft but that's me. Our 34RLSA 5er couldn't get in. Deep woods feel with all the trees and shade. Solar would be a challenge."
