Tent camping near Princeton, Idaho provides access to forested sites nestled between the Clearwater and St. Joe National Forests. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 2,500-3,000 feet, resulting in warm summer days and cool nights. Roads to primitive sites often require high-clearance vehicles during spring and early summer when seasonal runoff creates muddy conditions.
What to do
Hiking with varied difficulty: Big Eddy Marina offers access to the challenging Big Eddy Trail with rewarding views. "The first half mile is difficult but then the trail levels out and is easy for many miles. There's free dispersed camping sites starting after 4.5 miles down the trail," notes camper Megan K. about Big Eddy Marina & Lodge.
Wildlife observation: Blyton Landing attracts diverse wildlife throughout the camping season. "The wildlife is very loud and very curious so bring earplugs if your sensitive to noise," advises Megan S. about her experience at Blyton Landing.
Target shooting: Some BLM lands near Princeton permit firearm practice in designated areas. "There are several sites near here and it's remote enough to sight in your guns and do a little practice," explains a visitor to Tingley Spring BLM area.
What campers like
Hammock camping opportunities: Giant White Pine Campground features ideal tree spacing for hammock setups. "I really like this campground for hammock camping. I had no trouble finding just the right spot to set up my gear," reports Megan K. about Giant White Pine Campground.
Water access: Many campsites along the Big Eddy Trail feature direct water access. At Mini Camp 5.0, "Views are spectacular. Little wind coverage during the day though it's very private with quite a distance off the Big Eddy trail to get down to the waterside spot," according to Rachel A.
Trail access from campsites: Kamiak Butte County Park offers hiking directly from the camping area. "There's a little trail at Kamiak Butte and you can access it via a trailhead near the entrance of the campground," notes Kelsey G. about Kamiak Butte County Park.
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some Princeton area campgrounds. "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," cautions Gretchen B.
Temperature fluctuations: Prepare for significant day-night temperature swings in the Princeton region. At Mini camp 4.7, one camper experienced "perfect 80s in the day and warm 50s temps in the night," making layered clothing essential.
Pack weight planning: Backcountry sites require careful consideration of pack weight. The Big Eddy Trail becomes "challenging with a heavy pack" according to multiple hikers, with significant elevation changes throughout.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible site options: Several campgrounds offer wheelchair-friendly sites. At Partridge Creek Campground, "These sites are good for that according to my cousin who has camped with our family in this area. There is a lot of gravel on the roads though so it's not as nice as having paved areas."
Playground availability: Kamiak Butte County Park features recreation facilities for children. "Very nice playground in the day use area," notes Cheryl S., making it suitable for families with young children.
Wildlife encounters: Small mammals frequently visit campsites. Kamiak Butte County Park has "So many chipmunks, dog friendly, well organized. Fairly cheap and good for families," according to Megan S.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most Princeton area campgrounds lack RV amenities. Boyer Park Campground below Lower Granite Dam offers "full hook ups - showers - restaurant and store," according to Scott B., making it one of the few Lower Granite Lock and Dam area campgrounds with comprehensive RV services.
Temperature advantages: Spring camping offers more comfortable conditions than nearby regions. The Boyer Park area is "generally 10 degrees warmer than Spokane" in spring months, allowing for earlier season camping.
Site spacing considerations: Giant White Pine sites provide adequate room but limited privacy. "Great little campground right off hwy 6, with first come first serve camping. There are only a dozen sites or so, but they're nicely spread out, wooded, and clean," notes Leslie H.
