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Best Tent Camping near Rockland, ID

345 Reviews

Tent campsites near Rockland, Idaho offer primitive accommodations in the rugged terrain of southeastern Idaho. McClendon Spring Campground provides dispersed tent camping with basic amenities, while Sublet Creek offers established tent sites closer to Rockland. Independence Lakes Campground, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Rockland, provides seasonal tent camping from July to October in a more secluded mountain setting suitable for hikers and those seeking backcountry experiences.

Access to tent campgrounds varies significantly by location, with some requiring substantial travel on unpaved roads. McClendon Spring requires navigating approximately 3.5 miles of rough gravel road that may necessitate high-clearance vehicles in some seasons. Most tent sites have minimal amenities, with vault toilets available at McClendon Spring and Independence Lakes campgrounds. A recent review noted, "The road is not big rig friendly. We have a 27' TT." Campers should bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water, as no potable water is available at these primitive tent sites. Most areas remain open seasonally, with Independence Lakes accessible only from July through October due to snow conditions.

The tent camping experience in the Rockland area offers considerable seclusion and natural beauty. Sites at McClendon Spring provide views of nearby mountains and the town of Malta from a distance. A camper shared that McClendon Spring offers "great views of the mountains and Malta below. The campground is nestled in a nice grove of trees that has a small creek running through it." Independence Lakes Campground features walk-in tent sites near a stream and provides access to hiking trails leading to alpine lakes. Most tent campgrounds have fire rings where fires are permitted, though restrictions may apply during dry seasons. Campers frequently observe wildlife, including deer, and the minimal light pollution allows for exceptional stargazing opportunities from these primitive tent sites.

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Crystal Springs Campground

Crystal Springs Campground

58 min away

Malad Summit Guard Station

Malad Summit Guard Station

1 hr 16 min away

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Best Tent Sites Near Rockland, Idaho (5)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rockland, ID

1 Photos of 5 Rockland Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rockland, ID

345 Reviews of 5 Rockland Campgrounds

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Goodenough Creek Campground

    More than the Name Suggests!

    Agreat little campground that is split into a more developed tent area and a primitive tent area.  The developed tent area had gravel pads along with picnic tables and metal fire rings.  There was also a halfdicap vault toilet near the entrance.  At the primitive site we found a wonderful little rope swing that swung out over the creek.  All the primitive sites were wonderfully cool and shaded while the developed sites were more exposed

  • A
    Sep. 25, 2020

    Scout Mountain Campground

    Beautiful basic camping in Furs and Pines

    Beautiful campground set high up in the Caribou National Forest. The campground is around 13 miles up a mountain from Pocatello- it took us roughly 30 minutes driving up curvy mountain roads to get up to the top. Be advised, our gps tried to route us off a dirt road half way up, but you just stay on the paved road all the way up. We got site 20, I’m not sure which loop, as the loops were kind of hard to determine. It was next to bathrooms and across from water and a group campsite which looked like it’d be awesome if you were in a group (site 19.) Beautiful in the pines and furs. You can’t see from the road but many of the tent pads are behind the tables and fire rings. The tent pads aren’t huge- Our tent pad wasn’t big enough for our 6 person REI tent so we pitched right behind our car on the parking pad, which was considerably larger. We were only staying for one night on a Thursday and it was very quiet with only a handful of other campers, but I saw reserve tags on most camp sites in our loop for the weekend. No showers, vault toilets. Drinking water. We tent camp so I didn’t see if there were any electric sites, ours was not. We saw cows, moose, birds and deer on the mountain. Wish we could have stayed an extra night to hike around the area.

  • P H.
    Jun. 23, 2020

    Devils Creek RV Park

    Close quarters but friendly faces

    This is an older campground, and space near reservoirs is a hot commodity. The RV park host was very friendly and accommodating. Very clean campground with a nice boat dock and plenty of spaces to get down near the reservoir and fish.

    Warning - Some of the spaces felt like extremely close quarters especially with slide outs. The picture below shows one of the older full utility locations. Some units may not have much room to slide out without contacting the utility boxes. Some units offer great shade and an awning next to a shared fire pit, shared picnic table. Some units have a really nice shared grass area between trailers. Also several people here are seasonal campers with monthly rates. This can make finding a space a little more challenging. Call ahead and make sure to get reservations so you can get a spot.

    Lot size seems inconsistent between spaces as some feel very cramped and some of the high number units without utilities had larger spaces between them, almost appearing as an extra space between two units people were using for pet/kid play areas.

    Dogs are to be kept on leashes, but people should consider short leashes/tie lines as it is easy for pets to cross into adjacent units depending upon where they are staked. Make sure to plan ahead for power adapters. Only one 30amp service so if your planning to run AC, plan to be the first in or coordinate with your neighbor.

  • Jane H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Pipeline Campground

    Great for overnight stop

    The access to the water’s edge is nice. Our campsite has the basic amenities with fire ring and picnic table (a bit worn down). The vault toilet is clean and well maintained. I would definitely stay here again.

  • Beth B.
    Jul. 22, 2018

    Scout Mountain Campground

    Perfect in every way!

    We stayed on site #3, nice and shady, perfect walking distance to clean vault toilets, water spigot not far, and off the road so you feel tucked away. Nice sturdy picnic tables, latern stand, and great fire ring with attached grill, and an additional freestanding grill available. Loved that spot!

  • Curtis W.
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Twin Springs Campground

    Primitive Campground, dry, filled with Grass and Sagebrush

    This review is from July 2024, and it appears to have been a dry year.

    I found the campground over run with Red Currant Bushes which were full of mature fruit.  There was also a lot of Crested Wheatgrass and Sagebrush.  The 5 campsites are still in good repair, but due to the Red Currant Bushes, access to the springs area was difficult if not impossible.  The Springs themselves, due to the low water table were all but dried up, with only a small puddle of water marking each one.  The water pump is still missing it's handle, and is now dry, so no water could be pumped.  There was a moose present when I was there, but he was down in the outflow area, and did not seem interested in anything but lying down there.  The Vault toilet was clean, odor free, and well maintained.

    I cannot recommend this campground for mid summer or fall.

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2018

    Malad Summit Campground

    Plenty of shade next to a large creek with trout!

    This place is wonderful! There's plenty of shade and plenty of pools to take a dip in the creek. There are vault toilets picnic tables and permanent fire rings at each of the campsites. If the campground is full there is dispersed camping up and down the same road

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Thompson Flat Campground

    Gorgeous Alpine Camping in Southern Idaho!

    This is one of the last campgrounds you come across before arriving at the turnoff for Lake Cleveland.  It has a ton a ton of spots but they are pretty close together so try to camp here during the weekday or if you have to come here on a weekend go to the campground immediately before Lake Cleveland as it is a little more secluded and the sites are more spaced out.  If you're planning on having a large get together or party in the mountains then this is the best campground to come to!

    Each campsite has a minimum of a metal fire ring and BBQ grill, picnic tables and some even have a large metal BBQ pit thing.  The large sites also have massive fire rings where you could basically get a bonfire going!  There are trash cans and vault toilets scattered throughout the campground.  The only problem I had with the campground is that there isn't a map and the roads through it are narrow and confusing.  Other than that this is an amazing spot to spend the weekend or a few days during the week

  • Alan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 23, 2018

    Independence Lakes Campground

    Perfect for Seclusion

    First and foremost this campground needs a high clearance vehicle to reach and is best visited in late summer fall as it is very marshy there earlier in the year.

    The campground has permanent fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. The campgrounds are pretty close together but we were the only ones there so it didn't really matter. Nearby is a stream to cool off in and a hike to the top of Independence Peak can give you an amazing 360 of the surrounding area!

Guide to Rockland

Rockland, Idaho, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. From scenic views to unique amenities, there’s something for everyone.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tips for tent camping near Rockland

  • When visiting Independence Lakes Campground, be prepared for a short walk to the campsites, as parking is separate from the camping area.
  • For a peaceful experience, consider Trenner Park - Idaho Power, which is popular among locals for day camping, ensuring a quieter atmosphere during weekdays.
  • If you’re looking for seclusion, Portneuf Lower Sportsmen's Access is a great choice, with limited spots that provide a more private camping experience.

Tent campers should check out Independence Lakes Campground

  • The hike to the lakes from Independence Lakes Campground is a rewarding challenge, offering breathtaking views and a chance to connect with nature.
  • This campground is known for its beautiful backcountry scenery, making it a favorite among hikers and campers alike.
  • Be aware that this site does not allow pets, ensuring a peaceful environment for all visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rockland, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rockland, ID is Trenner Park - Idaho Power with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rockland, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Rockland, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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