Camping sites near Potlatch, Idaho range from primitive forest spots to semi-developed campgrounds along the area's waterways and ridgelines. Situated in the northern Idaho panhandle at approximately 2,500 feet elevation, the region's camping season typically runs May through September, though some locations remain accessible through early fall. Summer temperatures fluctuate between 50-85°F with cooler nights requiring extra layers even during peak season.
What to do
Hammocking spots: Spring Valley Reservoir offers multiple trees suitable for hammock camping. As Gabrielle L. notes, "Great trails and great places to put up your hammock."
Mountain biking: Giant White Pine Campground provides direct access to trail networks. "There's a trailhead nearby for bird watching and hiking, and mountain biking around as well," shares Leslie H., adding that though sites are "nicely spread out, wooded, and clean," expect some noise from ATVs and dirt bikes.
Wildlife viewing: Kamiak Butte County Park just across the Washington border offers excellent chipmunk viewing. Megan S. reports, "So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families."
Fishing access: Spring Valley Reservoir provides fishing docks and a cleaning station. Hannah C. mentions, "Great docks on the water, swimming, fishing, bathrooms, trash cans, and even a fish cleaning station."
What campers like
Panoramic views: Redtail Campground in Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park offers extensive vistas. Brett I. describes, "You are on the Ridgeline between two valleys with views of the horizons of 50 miles or more. To the east it is very much like the views in the Smokey mountains."
Well-maintained facilities: Scenic Six Park features clean restrooms and campsites. Beverly A. states, "The bathrooms were very clean, there was only one shower in the ladies, but it was very clean and well-kept."
Bird watching opportunities: Spring Valley Reservoir attracts diverse bird species. Celine K. notes, "The water is clean and nice through most of the summer... I always see a Great Blue Heron and often eagles as well!"
Convenient location: Robinson County Park offers easy access and activities. Celine K. reports, "This is a great place to take your dog for a walk. The trail is a nice loop through the woods, and there is a nice picnic area, swings, and volleyball court."
What you should know
Wind conditions: Strong winds can affect camping comfort at Spring Valley Reservoir, particularly for tent campers and fires.
Road quality varies: Iron Mountain Campground has challenging access. Megan K. warns, "It was rough roads getting here and the terrain is fairly void of trees. My car got scraped up a bit as it sits a bit low to justify coming back to this area."
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds operate May through September. Giant White Pine Campground specifies "May 20 to September 19" as its operating season.
Traffic noise: Giant White Pine Campground sits near a highway. Gretchen B. mentions, "We checked out campground and the giant white pine but decided not to camp there due to its proximity to a busy road. Lots of logging trucks made it awfully noisy for tent camping."
Cell service: Connectivity varies by location, with ridgetop sites offering better reception. At Redtail Campground, Brett I. reports, "ATT and Verizon were 3 plus. Great for solar and Skylink."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Robinson County Park features family-friendly amenities. "There's a cute bridge that separates the RV camping from the tent camping with various day use areas. There is a park that's across the field from the RV cites with a playground and bonfire spot," notes Megan K.
Swimming options: Laird Park Campground has designated swimming areas. Megan K. shares, "This seasonal campground has areas to swim. It does have restrooms and a playground for kids."
Beginner-friendly camping: Spring Valley Reservoir works well for first-time campers. Gabrielle L. noted her experience: "Our first camping trip in the books! Lots to learn."
Avoid crowded weekends: Spring Valley Reservoir can become crowded during summer. Hayli N. describes it as "A very easy access campsite. Close to the town of Troy and simple setup. You can camp up by the reservoir parking lot, or further in, closer to the wooded area."
Tips from RVers
Site sizing considerations: Robinson County Park has limited maneuvering space for larger rigs. Mark W. explains, "Had to work it to get out 35' Brinkley in the largest spot partly clearance from trees and fence posts limiting back and fill efforts."
Hookup availability: The Pines RV Park offers full hookups but at higher rates. Amy S. notes, "This RV park is right in town near all the local amenities. Lots to do here, hiking, boating, swimming. There are nice shade trees and nice space between campsites."
Low clearance warnings: When accessing some campgrounds, overhead clearance can be an issue. Mark W. cautions, "Drive in was a bit concerning with a 13'4" height. Routed through neighborhood in addition to power line height concerns... there were some lower lines that made us use the whole road to pick our line."
