Best Campgrounds near Princeton, ID

Princeton, Idaho is surrounded by a mix of established campgrounds and public lands offering diverse camping experiences. Spring Valley Reservoir provides water access with both tent and RV sites, while Giant White Pine Campground offers a more rustic experience with tent-only sites. The region includes several RV parks with full hookups, such as Pines RV Park in nearby Harvard, alongside more primitive options. Bald Mountain Lookout stands out as a unique cabin accommodation option for those seeking an elevated forest experience, situated about 10 miles from Princeton in the surrounding national forest lands.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the camping areas, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles to access. "This campground is off the beaten track down a forest development road near Deary Idaho. A great little hidden gem," noted one visitor about Little Boulder Creek Campground in the broader region. Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through September, with some closing earlier depending on weather conditions. Cell service can be spotty or nonexistent at more remote sites, particularly those in forested areas or at higher elevations. Campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, as temperatures can drop significantly at night even during summer months.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Princeton area, with several campgrounds offering access to reservoirs, creeks, and rivers. According to one review, "It's right by the river, which is very nice and it seems like there is good fishing in this river so that may be a plus." Campground amenities vary widely, from primitive sites with vault toilets to developed campgrounds with electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables. Many campgrounds in the region feature spacious, shaded sites with good separation between camping spots, though privacy levels differ significantly between established campgrounds and more remote options. Visitors frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere of the area's campgrounds, with opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, and water recreation enhancing the camping experience.

Best Camping Sites Near Princeton, Idaho (124)

    1. Spring Valley Reservoir

    9 Reviews
    Troy, ID
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 799-5010

    $10 / night

    "This campground is located conveniently near Troy, and is about a 25 minute drive to Moscow. There is also a large Pavilion which is perfect for a large get together."

    "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. There are bathrooms interspersed and great for fishing."

    2. Giant White Pine Campground

    5 Reviews
    Harvard, ID
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 875-1131

    "Super easy access from the road, clean sites though somewhat close to neighboring sites. Awesome trails nearby for all levels"

    "I found a really nice hiking trail near the campsite and spent most of the day exploring the surrounding areas.

    Our site did have a fire ring and a bench with dirt and moss cover."

    3. Scenic Six Park

    2 Reviews
    Potlatch, ID
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 875-1117

    4. Pines RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Harvard, ID
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 875-0831

    "You are right next to a highway, but you can barely hear it. Robin and Dennis are extremely nice! They will go out of their way to make sure you are happy and safe!"

    5. Robinson County Park

    5 Reviews
    Moscow, ID
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 883-5709

    "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."

    "Easy drive and family friendly"

    6. Kamiak Butte County Park

    7 Reviews
    Palouse, WA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (509) 397-6238

    $25 / night

    "There’s a little trail at Kamiak Butte and you can access it via a trailhead near the entrance of the campground. I did the hike on a Saturday and there were quite few other hikers on the trail."

    "I’ve grown up around this place and will always love it"

    7. Laird Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Harvard, ID
    9 miles
    Website

    "The campground is about 3.3 miles away from Harvard, and there is a lot of nearby places to access the Palouse river.

    There is good fishing areas nearby."

    "Very quiet, cozy location. Stayed here twice; both times was an overnight stay while waiting to pick my Scouts up from summer camp."

    8. Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park

    3 Reviews
    Potlatch, ID
    11 miles
    Website

    "Take a night or two to visit this nearly unused campground. What a wonder. You are on the Ridgeline between two valleys with views of the horizons of 50 miles or more."

    9. Iron Mountain Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park

    4 Reviews
    Potlatch, ID
    16 miles
    Website

    "We camped at the first campground in this Idaho state park close to the Washington border called Iron Mountain. There were two sites with a vault toilet."

    10. Palouse RV Park

    1 Review
    Palouse, WA
    12 miles
    +1 (509) 878-1811

    $35 / night

    "Like many RV parks there is a park, and tables outside.

    There are train tracks very very close, but it was not disruptive surprisingly for the time we were there."

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Recent Reviews near Princeton, ID

403 Reviews of 124 Princeton Campgrounds


  • Devon C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Elk River

    ELK RIVER IDAHO

    Many free dispersed camping site for several miles. There is also low cost Campgrounds available as well. There is a small local store nearby. Dump site on edge of town with trash available. Many recreational activities too.

  • Devon C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Shadowy St. Joe Campground — Idaho Panhandle National Forests

    Great Campground

    The Shadowy St. Joe Campground is a great place to stay. It has 14 sites total. With one taken by the camp hosts, all are paved, with space for 2 vehicles each, have fire pits, and a picnic bench, and electricity. 7 sites to reserve ahead of time on the meadow side that has grass and is spacious. There are 6 first come first serve sites, 2 on the meadow side, and 4 along the river. If looking to reserve a site, the numbers start with #1 closest to the entrance on the meadow side and grow larger in counter clockwise fashion. There is a day use area you can also reserve, with charcoal grills, and multiple picnic benches. There are several vault toilets and all are kept very clean by the 2 wonderful park hosts. There is a boat launch area for day use, with a small fee, but if camping there is no extra charge. There is 2 docks and if staying multiple days you can leave your boat on the dock overnight. It is supposed to be a no wake zone, but the signs have warn down, so we lost a bumper to our boat from crashing into the dock, from passing boat wakes. There is a couple of potable water stations available, with small hose spouts, but no water hookups at the sites. The sites are electric with 50amp, 30amp, and 110 plugs available. No sewer hookup at the sites, but there is a dump station at the fairgrounds in the town of St. Maries about 10 miles away. Phone service is spotty, texting easier and lots of dropped calls, but we like to unplug when camping. Dogs are allowed with no limits, just to stay on leashes at all times. The Lazy St. Joe River is boat passable up to St. Joe City, and all the way to Lake Coeur d'Alene if you want to adventure for a full day in the boat. Great for fishing too. Make sure to have Idaho invasive species tag for the boat if you are from out of state. The Sheriff and Park Rangers patrol daily and check. St. Maries has 2 grocery stores, and sports shop where you can get supplies, and fishing licenses. The town also has great shops, a swimming pool, parks, restaurants, and ATM/banks. This is a great little gem in the Gem State.

  • #1 National R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Soaring Hawk RV Resort

    Soaring Hawk Rv Park

    We love the park, people are very friendly. Very close to Heyburn State Park

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    McKay's Bend Recreation Site

    Great Park especially for the Price

    Full hookups bathroom and showers. In a canyon on river. Number 8 has river view but not much shade. Other sites with much shade.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Beauty Creek Campground

    Nice small campground

    Peaceful stop while traveling through. Sites 12 and higher have more privacy. Very clean pit toilets.

  • S
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Camp Coeur D Alene

    Cute and SO cozy!

    This campground was super cozy and safe. They had firewood for sale, a pool, and clean showers and bathrooms. We had a very comfortable stay and were able to connect to the wifi at our tent site. Would be the first campground we would reserve when we return to the area.

  • mike L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    McKay's Bend Recreation Site

    Easy to camp here

    This campground is just off Highway 12 in Western Idaho and very convenient. It’s a little close to the road but the traffic seems to be pretty quiet at 8:30 at night. It’s right by the river, which is very nice and it seems like there is good fishing in this river so that may be a plus. I do recommend this campground.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Shadowy St. Joe Campground — Idaho Panhandle National Forests

    Shadowy St Joe

    We parked next to the river. No trouble with red noise in the spot, but on the other side is closer to the road. The park was clean and appears well managed. Vault toilets spaced a appropriately throughout the small campground. They were clean and without odor. Is out about 8 to 10 miles from Saint Marie, which has two small grocery stores, laundromat, and car wash. If ever in the area would stay here again. Has Electric and drinking water at a nominal price.


Guide to Princeton

Camping near Princeton, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do

  • Biking Trails: Many campers enjoy biking the trails around Hawleys Landing Campground — Heyburn State Park. One visitor mentioned, "Most folks come in to bike the trail," highlighting the popularity of cycling in the area.
  • Fishing and Boating: If you love water activities, Dent Acres is a great spot. A reviewer noted, "You need to drive to the water," indicating that while it's not right at the campsite, the access is worth it for fishing and boating.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Freeman Creek Campground — Dworshak State Park. One camper shared, "Sweet little nature trails were pretty and easy for smaller children to walk through," making it a family-friendly option.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers at places like Hawleys Landing Campground. A review stated, "The toilets were clean, they are porcelain, flushing toilets inside a hut."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a good amount of space and privacy. A visitor at Little Boulder Campground mentioned, "They've done a good job of spacing the spots out and keeping plenty of trees and foliage in between for privacy."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the views at Emerald Creek Campground. One reviewer said, "This was the prettiest campground we stayed in during an extensive road trip through Idaho."

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in many campgrounds. A camper at Freeman Creek Campground noted, "NO CELL SERVICE. You just have to be present with one another."
  • Crowded Campsites: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A visitor at Spring Valley Reservoir mentioned, "This can be a nice place depending on how busily you catch it."
  • Road Access: Some campgrounds have tricky access roads. A camper at Freeman Creek Campground warned, "The road is a test for your engine and brakes."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Hawleys Landing Campground, where one reviewer said, "This is a cute campground with great hosts."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A family at Dent Acres enjoyed the area, stating, "This campground is more suited for boaters than anything else!"
  • Check Site Layout: Before booking, check the layout of the campsite. A camper at Emerald Creek Campground mentioned, "The creek was nice background noise," which can be soothing for kids.

Tips from RVers

  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Hells Canyon Resort offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A visitor noted, "Pull through site was paved and level."
  • Be Mindful of Space: Some RV sites can be tight. A reviewer at Hawleys Landing Campground mentioned, "Privacy on these sites isn’t the best."
  • Check for Amenities: Make sure to check what amenities are available. A camper at Premier RV Resort at Granite Lake appreciated the "friendly staff that keeps the facilities clean."

Camping near Princeton, Idaho, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Princeton, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, Princeton, ID offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Princeton, ID and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Princeton, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Princeton, ID is Spring Valley Reservoir with a 3.9-star rating from 9 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Princeton, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Princeton, ID.