Rexburg, Idaho sits at an elevation of 4,865 feet with a semi-arid climate characterized by cold winters and warm summers. The surrounding area features the winding Snake River valley and volcanic plains, with temperatures ranging from 10°F in winter to 85°F in summer. Canvas accommodations including yurts near Rexburg operate primarily from April through October due to significant winter snowfall.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The ponds at Rainbow Lake and Campground offer catch-and-release fishing with rental poles available. "Catch and release pond and rent poles for $5," notes one visitor who appreciated this accessible activity during their stay.
Hot springs access: Natural hot springs at Heise provide year-round soaking options just a short drive from most Rexburg camping areas. A visitor mentioned, "We were excited to find this CG on Dyrt and that it wasn't difficult to find; but when we arrived, the gate was pad-locked."
Mesa Falls exploration: The falls are within walking distance from certain campsites in the region. "The campground is within walking distance of Lower Mesa Falls and an easy but longer hike to Upper Mesa Falls," explains a camper who chose to walk rather than pay the $5 parking fee.
What campers like
Shaded sites: The mature trees at Wakeside Lake RV Park provide natural cooling during summer months when temperatures often exceed 80°F. "The trees in most sites are very mature and great for shade," notes a visitor who appreciated this feature during hot weather.
Quiet locations: Many campgrounds in the area provide peaceful settings despite proximity to popular destinations. A camper at Riverside Campground noted, "This was not expected to be a nice stay, rather a place enroute to our next destination. However it was one of our favorite places!"
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting attracts various wildlife species. "Not unusual to have deer or moose come through the campground," reports a camper who enjoyed animal sightings during their stay at Kelly Island Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most canvas accommodations including yurts in the Rexburg area operate from April through October. "We arrived around 2 pm and the sites were mostly empty. Several others arrived around 6 pm," notes a camper describing the shoulder season occupancy patterns.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise despite their natural settings. At South Tourist Park Campground, a camper reported: "The only downfall is the tent campers that seem to 'live' here. I love that there is a RV dump in the campground."
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. "When we were there, it was the first spring hatching of the mosquitoes. In other places, it was swarms of them! Not here. At least, not on the loop close to the river," shares a camper describing early season conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Children often enjoy the accessible water features at several campgrounds. At Snake River RV Park & Campground, a visitor noted, "At first we were not sure about this campground based on location. We were pleasantly surprised! The park for the kids was perfect and the pool was open too!"
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature designated play areas for children. "A very simple RV park, nice shade, easy to access beach on a manmade lake. My only complaint was that their website says there's a playground and I could not find one."
Educational opportunities: Mesa Falls provides natural science learning opportunities. "I just found out not everyone knows what a pit toilet is. If you do, you can skip this part. It is usually a toilet like structure over a hole in the ground with a normal hard structure above it."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Grand View Campground offers electrical hookups, unusual for a National Forest campground. "We don't often find NF campgrounds with electricity. Only 9 sites, but all with electric. There is a spicket for fresh water. Super clean."
Site leveling: Most RV sites require minimal leveling in established campgrounds. "The sites here are very spacious and mostly level. They are gravel."
Dump station access: Several campgrounds provide on-site dump stations for convenience. "Nice little gem of a bare bones city camp site next to Snake River. No hook ups. There is a dump site, fresh water and toilets."
