Tent campsites near Richfield, Idaho offer wilderness experiences without the crowds common to other areas in central Idaho. Located at higher elevations in the Sawtooth National Forest, these sites experience temperature drops at night even during summer months. Gravel access roads typically remain passable for passenger vehicles through the main camping season from May through September.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Uncle Johns Gulch provides immediate trail access from campsites. "Large campsites next to stream nestled in a beautiful valley. Hiking/mtb trail next to campsites," notes user jsbeezg.
ATV riding: The Pioneer Campground area allows motorized recreation on designated routes. "Since it is so remote you can also ride around on ATVs pretty much anywhere. A good escape if you dont feel like going a little deeper," reports Alan B.
Fishing opportunities: Little Wood River offers accessible fishing directly from camp. According to Ryan V., the site provides "Easy fishing access and remote camping. Not much for man made improvements, the camping is very primitive."
Bird watching: Fish Creek Reservoir attracts diverse bird species. "We saw bald eagles among other cool birds," reports allison W., who visited during summer.
What campers like
Uncrowded alternatives: Pioneer Campground remains less visited than Sun Valley sites. One camper notes, "With this campground you'll get solitude most weekends as most people heading into the Sawtooths go to the Sun Valley Area."
Creek sounds: Five Points Campground offers natural white noise for sleeping. "Sleeping was easy with the flowing creek that goes through the campground," according to Simran D.
Mountain views: Iron Bog Campground provides panoramic landscapes. Fred S. observed "Great views of the mountains around the campground. Very quiet, peaceful evening; only one other site was occupied during my visit."
Wildlife viewing: The Fish Creek area supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities beyond camping. Visitors report seeing bald eagles and various bird species throughout the area.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Complete coverage gaps exist at most sites. At Fish Creek Reservoir, allison W. confirms "No cell service whatsoever, so be aware of that."
Seasonal water access: Water systems typically shut down early fall. At Iron Bog, Fred S. noted in September, "The hand water pump did not pump water; water was probably turned off for the season."
Weather considerations: Temperature extremes occur despite moderate elevations. "If going in fall, prepare for some ice in the evening and light fog," warns Mary D. about Hyndman Campground.
Site conditions vary: Maintenance levels differ significantly between campgrounds. Fred S. observed at Iron Bog that "Some of the sites have not been maintained in a while; overgrown with weeds, grass and sagebrush."
Tips for camping with families
Water quality concerns: Bring drinking water for all family members. At Little Wood River, Sam C. cautions, "The portable water on site has a yellow tint to it even after letting it run for a min or so. It was good enough for me and the dogs to drink but not for my wife."
Layout advantages: Little Wood River sites provide good spacing for families. Sam C. appreciates that "camp spots are spaced out nicely so that people are not stacked right on top of each other."
Evening temperature drops: Pack extra layers even for summer camping. Several campgrounds at higher elevations experience significant temperature drops after sunset.
Day use facilities: Some areas offer options beyond overnight camping. Charli H. mentions Little Wood River has "green grass for day use and tent camping, private dock, wonderful folks!"
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Most tent-focused campgrounds accommodate small to midsize RVs only. At Iron Bog Campground, allison W. notes, "Sites are big and able to accommodate even larger RVs (although the guy across from me struggled to fit his 30' rig in his spot, he did it!)."
Boondocking alternatives: Free dispersed camping exists near established campgrounds. Fred S. reports, "There were several boondocking sites on the way to the campground" at Iron Bog.
Solar potential: Open sites work well for solar setups. Fred S. confirmed "Solar recharging possible at my site" at Iron Bog, where most sites lack shade.
Site reservation strategy: All campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. Plan midweek arrivals for best site selection during summer months.
