Top Free Dispersed Camping near Preston, ID
Searching for a dispersed campsite near Preston? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Preston, ID (14)
1. Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
13 Reviews•35 Photos•309 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- RVs
- Tents
2. Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping
5 Reviews•8 Photos•181 Saves- Pets
- Tents
- Alcohol
3. Smithfield Dispersed Camping
2 Reviews•5 Photos•175 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
13 Reviews•21 Photos•161 SavesCamping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska).
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
6. High Creek
Be the first to review!•81 SavesThere are no fees for this campground under current conditions. There are no restroom facilities or services. This campground is located North of Logan Canyon.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Showers
7. Portneuf Lower Sportsmen's Access
1 Review•3 Photos•8 Saves- Tents
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
10. Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin
1 Review•2 Photos•22 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Group
- Equestrian
- Dispersed
Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Preston
33 Reviews of 14 Preston Campgrounds
- VVan UT G.
Traveler
Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
Several good spots
Many good spots. Close to the road so you can hear some car which was no problem. Lots of trees. Shaded which is great in the summer.
Anna B.
GuideGreen Canyon Dispersed Campground
Beautiful Foliage
(October 4th, 2023) Stopped here for a night on a road trip and it was the perfect place for some down time. There were still open spots when we got here late; we snagged a cool site with a small cave and a climbing route a decent way down the road. In the morning we hiked around some of the trails and explored the area. Even though it rained, it was a beautiful place to see some foliage! We only saw a few other people but it was the middle of the week and weather wasn’t great.
- H
Hannah M.Traveler
Curtis Creek / Arbs Basin
Quiet and peaceful
We stayed here for the night on our rooftop tent. It’s very quiet, barely any people. There’s man made firepits made out of rocks of people who have stayed here. It’s chilly and very pretty around. Nice view of the sunset. There’s no cell service.
Kaden M.
Scout
Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping
Wasted time looking here
Tons of land, tons of campsites.. but most are "occupied" by empty trailers with no other vehicles or people around. There's empty cars parked on top of fire pits, no tents or any sort of life nearby. Felt strange.
This road is rough and very bumpy. Didn't feel comfortable "taking over" a campsite with things already parked there. Wouldn't recommend coming here.
Kennedy F.GuideFranklin Basin Dispersed Camping
Big areas of solitude
Ended up driving this road up to Idaho to find a bigger spot and some solitude. Took the dirt road for about 30 minutes and got the most perfect spot. Nobody was near us and the view was amazing. We went at the beginning of June, it was a bit chilly some mornings and at night, so come prepared.
andy B.Traveler
Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Nice stop
Nice stop, road is a little rough, but other than that it was great
Chris A.Scout
Portneuf Lower Sportsmen's Access
Quick Overnight Pullover
Easy access from Lava with about 10 designated spots, most with room for two vehicles and one(?) pull through spot that fit my truck/30foot TT. Most had either a metal fire ring or picnic table or both. Pretty enough area, but right off the road and even closer to a train that passed through multiple times at night.
Pulled in at 10:30 pm Saturday night July Fourth weekend and was able to snag the last spot so very clutch!
NOTE - Google satellite photos are NOT accurate, the area is fenced off and sites are limited, no longer the free for all it appears to have been
ConnerGuideGreen Canyon Dispersed Campground
Nice hiking trails and very close to town
Perhaps a little too close to the university in Logan Utah it was busy that Friday night. I think all the spots filled by 7pm some 50 people there that night. There is close spots for small couples and large groups and also more private spacious spots for people with pets like me
- ppang B.Scout
Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
Loud
Very loud, with folks driving around until the AM. Definitely a local party spot.
- AAaron G.Scout
Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Passing through
May 2024 - This is a good stopping point for those who are passing through. There is a Flying J truck stop on the opposite side of I-15. They have fuel, propane, dump station ($10) and water. The road into dispersed camping is full of pot holes so go slow with a Class A RV or if you have low clearance. The noise from the freeway is minimal. I would stay here again.
Ryan G.ScoutIndian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Typical One Night Stand
Close to highway, easy driven dirt road with plenty of flat spots to park. Good for one night while passing through.
Cory M.ScoutIndian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Former Indian Rocks State Park
This site is at an abandoned state park. The coordinates navigate just past the entrance and we got a bit confused at first. Mapping to Indian Rocks State Park will provide more accurate directions.
The site is very accessible - the road is washboard with lots of potholes, slow going for us with a 24' travel trailer, but totally doable. Plenty of sites - we snagged a mostly level pull through and stayed hitched. Great views. Traffic noise isn't ideal, but fine for a quick stop.
Cyndy & Selena R.GuideIndian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Safe overnight stopping spot
This is a safe spot for overnight. Nice views of mountains. There is highway noise. Camper trailers can manueuver without difficulty. TMobile works here.
- PPeter L.Scout
Smithfield Dispersed Camping
Nice place, quiet
Stayed here for two nights, at the end of a dead end road, close to the creek. Real easy place to be.
Chula R.GuideIndian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Mountain views
Fairly well maintained and freeway close. 10-12 campsites that are pretty level. Beautiful view on both sides. A great place for a night on the road.
Violeta A.GuideIndian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Great location
After a long drive this place was perfect. This location is very close the freeway exit. We got lucky to find a pretty leveled pull through site. It looked liked there were only about 10 sites in total. The road in was unpaved but not too rough. Some cars drove past during our stay faster than that we thought was correct. The views to the mountain were awesome. We had some cows come and visit our site early the morning we were leaving. Not sure about why they are free roaming but we liked having them visit.
- GGAILScout
Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Great BLM spot
Found a perfect spot here and this particular one was quite level! A tree for some shade, quiet, but above all, spectacular views. Road is slightly washboard along with occasional pot holes but accessible for my 24 ft. RV.
- MMelissa J.Scout
Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
Busy dispersed, road noise, but available
We didn’t have a problem finding a spot but it was very busy with lots of road traffic even until late. We woke up to our car being drive-by paintballed. It cleaned off easy, but not fabulous. Another camper left their fire ring with smoldering coals and didn’t extinguish it. Good for a quick place to sleep on your way through town, but not a super relaxing experience.
Keith S.GuideIndian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Great over night stay
Close to the interstate so some traffic noise but we had a good nights sleep. 8+ spots. We stoped here on our way to Yellowstone. This is an abandoned state park so some sites are over grown.
Erika M.GuideFranklin Basin Dispersed Camping
Beautiful location right off highway 89
Absolutely beautiful location off highway 89. A popular place especially for ohv-ers. Lots of places to park but most of them seemed to be “claimed” (tents or trailers with no vehicles) for the upcoming weekend. That is the only reason for the loss of one star. We were there on a Thursday night just for and one night stop-and-go, so any of those claimed spots we could have used had they not been there.
There is a creek that flows back and forth around the area, we had that for our soundtrack as we slept.
At about mile 2 from the turn-off, there is a cattle guard and clear signs that the road is public but the land is not. It is possible that there is another cattle guard further up and more dispersed passed it as we saw more rvs head up and not turn around and come back, but we did not investigate that.
Well worth the trip in the search for a spot though. It was an amazing stay.
Auston T.ScoutFranklin Basin Dispersed Camping
Off-grid camping with beautiful scenery.
I have grown up camping in the Franklin Basin area. It is the perfect location for anyone looking for places to hike or ride. There are many different places to visit throughout the area such as the "Plane Crash" site, Beaver Creek, old logging trails, and more. If your looking for a place to just get out in the dirt and relax, this is the place.
Daisee Mae S.
Legend
Heart Mountain Spring
Washboard Road
This was a very amazing experience. The hot springs were absolutely amazing.
There were a few visitors but only us and one other stayed. Our stay was a couple of nights.
It’s worth the drive if you have 4WD or very good shocks and suspension
Connor O.
RangerGreen Canyon Dispersed Campground
Decent dispersed camping near Logan
There are some pretty good spots with shade for dispersed camping up green canyon
- JJScout
Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
A-okay
Great for a one-nighter. At least ten campsites that were no sweat to get to in my Forester. Highway noise, sage brush, and not much else.
- LLindsay H.Scout
Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
Great spot, even in wet weather!
Easy to find by putting the coordinates provided in Google Maps. Came in after dark and easily found a site about 1/4 mile or so up the road. Road is a bit bumpy but nothing major. Our truck handled it with ease, but even a sedan would probably be fine.
The site we chose had a fire pit and plenty of flat ground to set up. A tent, van/truck, or small trailer would work well. There are some larger more open areas that could accommodate an RV.
Great views of the canyon! It was raining most is the the time we were there, so I can only imagine what it is like on a nice summer day.
There are a couple outhouses. Did not see any sinks.
Overall highly recommend.
- CCharles H.Scout
Green Canyon Dispersed Campground
Beautiful
Easy to access, and very beautiful. There are tons of great sites secluded from others
- SStuScout
Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping
Decent BLM Boondock
GPS correct, no signage and just off highway West. Small 60x40 yard gravel/dirt lot a quarter mile up improved road with some potholes. Was traveling late from Idaho to SLC and was a good stopping point. Can hear the highway still but quiet enough and secluded. No amenities whatsoever but there are some weathered petroglyphs to see. As an option there is a formal rest area off the highway a few miles south.
Guide to Preston
Camping near Preston, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do
- Explore Bear Lake State Park: This area is known for its stunning blue waters. One visitor mentioned, "The most popular of the campgrounds on the East side of the lake due to the tropically blue water."
- Visit Lava Hot Springs: Known for its hot springs and water slides, this spot is perfect for families. A camper shared, "We love finding campgrounds with unique elements. Hot springs and water slides fit the bill."
- Hike in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest: The trails here offer breathtaking views. One reviewer noted, "The grounds are beautiful, the host is kind, it is so quiet, and there was a lot of wildlife."
What campers like
- Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the roomy spots at places like Aspen Grove RV Park. A happy camper said, "They have a lot of amenities, and the spots are huge!"
- Clean facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One reviewer from Bear Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "We could still tell how clean and nice all the facilities are."
- Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. A visitor at Lava Hot Springs East KOA said, "The staff were friendly and accommodating when we requested to change sites."
What you should know
- Train noise: Some campgrounds, like Aspen Grove RV Park, are near train tracks. One camper noted, "Only downside is the train that passes through nearby. Not too loud, but would be annoying long term."
- Limited amenities at some sites: Campgrounds like Devils Creek RV Park may not have showers or bathrooms. A visitor mentioned, "No bathrooms or showers. Would give 2 stars but Valerie the camp host is super nice and accommodating."
- Busy during peak season: Campgrounds can get crowded, especially in summer. A reviewer at Bear Lake State Park Campground said, "It was well maintained, but it was busy during the weekends."
Tips for camping with families
- Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for places like Downata Hot Springs that offer fun for kids. One camper said, "Great groups there during our stay, easy to get around."
- Check for pet policies: If you're bringing pets, make sure to pick a campground that allows them. A visitor at Lava Hot Springs West KOA noted, "Kid, pet friendly, walking distance to food and fun."
- Plan for quiet time: Some campgrounds can be noisy, so consider visiting during the week. A camper at Green Canyon Dispersed Campground mentioned, "We only saw a few other people but it was the middle of the week."
Tips from RVers
- Look for spacious sites: RVers appreciate campgrounds with ample space, like Aspen Grove RV Park. One reviewer said, "The sites are spacious and long."
- Check for full hookups: Ensure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Lava Hot Springs East KOA mentioned, "We had reserved a premium K-9 site."
- Be prepared for road noise: Some campgrounds, like Lava Hot Springs West KOA, can be noisy due to nearby roads. A camper noted, "Road noise and train noise was excessive."
Camping near Preston, Idaho, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to check the amenities and plan accordingly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Preston, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Preston, ID is Green Canyon Dispersed Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Preston, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Preston, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.