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Best Dispersed Camping near Saint Anthony, ID

117 Reviews

Dispersed camping around Saint Anthony, Idaho primarily centers on public lands surrounding the area's sand dunes and river corridors. Several primitive campsites are available along forest roads and BLM-managed areas, including St. Anthony Dunes, Henry's Fork Rivercamp, S Antelope Flat Road, and various pull-offs near Wolf Flats Recreation Area. These off-grid sites typically feature minimal to no facilities, with most located on public land administered by either the Bureau of Land Management or Targhee National Forest.

Many access roads require careful navigation due to rough conditions, particularly after rain or during spring thaw. Several dispersed sites allow camping for up to 14 days, including Henry's Lake BLM areas and Bootjack Road locations. Sites like S Antelope Flat Road permit fires and allow pets, while others maintain strict fire prohibitions. Most areas have no water sources, toilets, or trash services, requiring visitors to pack in all necessities and pack out waste. High clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote campsites, especially those along Forest Road 553 and Wood Road Dispersed Site.

The landscape around Saint Anthony provides opportunities for wildlife viewing and riverside camping. Reviews indicate variable conditions across sites. According to one visitor at Henry's Fork Rivercamp, "The road was a bit rocky, but our sedan made it through with some careful maneuvering," highlighting the accessibility of some areas despite rough terrain. At S Antelope Flat Road, a camper noted "The potholes coming in are huge. However, it's the perfect spot off highway to camp." Many areas experience seasonal variations, with mosquitoes being problematic during summer months and several high-elevation sites remaining snow-covered until mid-June. Wolf Flats Recreation Area features basic vault toilets—a rare amenity among the region's dispersed camping options—while maintaining the primitive, backcountry camping experience that draws visitors to this corner of Idaho.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Saint Anthony, Idaho (50)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Saint Anthony, ID

113 Photos of 50 Saint Anthony Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Saint Anthony, ID

117 Reviews of 50 Saint Anthony Campgrounds

  • Nicki S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2024

    Darby Canyon Dispersed

    Darby

    I have not personally spent the night camping here, but I do work for the Forest Service and wanted to give more information about the Darby Canyon dispersed camping sites. I also had a friend stay here for three nights last September and they had a good time. There are about 10~ sites (I will check and edit when I can) all along the canyon road, some are just right off road and others require a short drive down beaten paths to find the sites. All of these sites (except 2 or so very close to the road) are past the cattle guard. Depending on the time of year, many of these sites may not be accessible. Snow typically stays in the canyon until mid-June and starts collecting in October. The area may also be buggy at the height of the summer (July 2024 had been atrocious). There is limited cell service down most of the road and it completely disappears the closer to the Wind Cave trailhead you get. This area has a 14 day stay limit, meaning that once 14 days (13 nights) have been reached you must move at least 5 miles away to continue camping on forest service land and cannot return to this canyon to camp for 30 days. This is in a bear food storage enforced area and any bear attractants (food, pet food, soaps, sunscreen, etc.) are required to be stored properly in a locked hard sided vehicle or other bear resistant containers. Fires are allowed but must be put out dead (cold to the touch) before leaving a campsite. This canyon is regularly patrolled by Forest Service staff and ranger law enforcement officers, especially on the weekends, to keep up with the food storage and fires out dead orders. Hope this helps weary travelers that are deterred by low-rated reviews.

  • Abner H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Lava Hiking Trailhead

    Lots of Quiet Space - Some Amenities

    Stayed at the trailhead parking lot boondocking (No toilets, no water, no electric).  Fairly level area with a fire ring, picnic tables under a shelter, metal charcoal grill and easy access to the lava field (Hells Half Acre) hiking trails.    Access from US 20 to the trailhead parking is gravel and easily accessible for all vehicles with several large turnouts that can be camped at.  The rest of the loop past the turn to the trailhead parking is not graveled but still passable by most vehicles.  I would be more hesitant to use the loop in wet weather where the ground may be soft.

    Unfortunately as you can see in a couple of the pictures not everyone cares for our public lands appropriately, there is some garbage left around and someone has taken it upon themselves to use signs and structures for target practice.

    - AT&T has 2 bars of LTE and very slow data with a 243ms ping time and a 10Mbps download once it eventually started 

    - T-Mobile has 3 bars and my hotspot was able to achieve 18.85Mbps download although it too had a long ping time of 292ms

    - Starlink has an unobstructed view of the sky with a 226.6Mbps download speed and 27ms ping

  • Mark B.
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Bootjack - Dispersed Camping

    Bootjack Dr.

    A good amount of dispersed areas here. All the areas in the open meadow area closer by the road was occupied. We choose a dead end road and had the area all to ourselves. Had to back up the road about 200 feet because there was no turn around for the size of our rig (36 foot 5th wheel). But it is doable.

  • jsbeezg The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2023

    Lava Hiking Trailhead

    Great location for the night

    Nice location away from the highway to spend the night. Dirt road that is a little rough but accessible by low clearance car. Several pull outs to car camp.

  • Mark B.
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Bootjack - Dispersed Camping

    BOOTJACK RD

    A lot of boondocking opportunities in that area. Must of the spots in the open meadow area were full. Therefore, we went with this spot up a dead end road. With the size of r rig 36 foot Solltude I had to back up the road about 200 feet. Road in was a little rough but we managed.

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 10, 2025

    Bootjack - Dispersed Camping

    Nice clean spots, some with rings

    No fee dispersed camping. Once you turn from Hwy 20, bootjack dr. Is first dirt road the right (check google maps) it's not straight like dyrt app shows. It's pretty dark at night and seems a bit scary but it actually pretty nice if you get there with light. Plenty of space to park, no hookups, water or restroom.

  • kristi M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Darby Canyon Dispersed

    Site 5

    Up the road in Darby Canyon, site 1A sits on the bluff overlooking the Tetons - beautiful! but extremely windy. Very tight space. Moved up to site 5 which required high clearance 4wd and slow driving. Great spot in the middle of the forest.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2021

    Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed

    Super quiet stay!

    I stayed for 2 nights and upon arriving on a Tuesday evening, there were 2-3 spots left. There’s no official spots since it’s dispersed but several pull outs along the dirt road. There are 2 clean vault toilets that were stocked. Free to stay but no amenities other than toilet. Cows are free roaming around here so you will hear them all times of the day. Bugs were bad on some days but if you have any time of wind or fan, it wasn’t an issue. Had 3-4 bars LTE via AT&T. Only 30 minutes from west Yellowstone. Definitely would stay here again, felt very safe!

  • angy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2024

    Wood Road Dispersed Site

    Great spot off the beaten path

    Great spot down by river. Mostly sunny area but found this spot with shade. Rough rd coming in but camper van accessible. Rock fire ring. There are houses across river but this site is private from that . Only bad thing is it’s quite a little drive back here. At 2pm on a Sunday no one around so far.

Guide to Saint Anthony

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Saint Anthony, Idaho, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, this area is perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Saint Anthony, Idaho

  • Many dispersed sites, like S Antelope Flat Road, allow campfires, making it a great choice for cozy evenings under the stars.
  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities; sites such as Forest Road 553 do not offer drinking water or toilets, so plan accordingly.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep these beautiful areas pristine, especially at popular spots like Wolf Flats Recreation Area.

Scenic river access for dispersed campers

  • For those who enjoy fishing or simply relaxing by the water, Henry's Fork Rivercamp offers easy access to the river and a peaceful atmosphere.
  • The Warm River on Forest Road 150 features several large spots with picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for a riverside retreat.
  • If you're looking for a quieter experience, Lower Rock Creek FR305 Dispersed provides a serene setting with the soothing sounds of the creek nearby.

Outdoor activities while free camping near Saint Anthony

  • Hiking enthusiasts can explore the trails around Big Eddy Dispersed Camping, which offers a variety of routes for all skill levels.
  • Wildlife watching is a popular activity in the area, especially near Wood Road Dispersed Site, where you might spot deer and other local fauna.
  • For those interested in photography, the stunning landscapes around St Anthony Dunes provide endless opportunities to capture the beauty of Idaho's wilderness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping in Saint Anthony?

Saint Anthony offers several excellent dispersed camping options. The St Anthony Dunes area provides drive-in access with plenty of spaces for setting up camp. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Bootjack - Dispersed Camping offers numerous sites with varying levels of privacy. Located off Highway 20, Bootjack features dirt roads that may be a bit rough but manageable. Many campers find spots in the open meadow area, while others prefer the more isolated dead-end roads. For the best experience, arrive during daylight hours to properly assess the sites and road conditions.

Can I bring my RV to dispersed camping sites in Saint Anthony?

Yes, RVs can access several dispersed camping areas near Saint Anthony, though site selection depends on your rig size. Lava Hiking Trailhead offers a fairly level parking lot area suitable for boondocking with gravel access from US 20. Big Eddy Dispersed Camping is known to be big-rig friendly. When traveling with larger RVs (30+ feet), be cautious about turnaround space—some campers with 36-foot fifth wheels have reported needing to back up 200 feet on certain roads. Roads can be rough in spots, so drive slowly and consider scouting routes first if you have a particularly large setup.

Do I need a permit for dispersed camping near Saint Anthony?

Most dispersed camping areas near Saint Anthony don't require specific permits, but regulations vary by land management agency. Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed allows free camping without permits, though there's typically a 14-day stay limit on BLM lands. For areas within national forests like Darby Canyon Dispersed, standard Forest Service dispersed camping rules apply—no permit needed, but camping is generally limited to 14-16 days. Always check current regulations with the local Forest Service or BLM office before your trip, as rules can change seasonally, especially during fire restrictions periods.

What amenities are available at Saint Anthony dispersed camping areas?

Dispersed camping around Saint Anthony is primarily primitive with minimal amenities. Grassy Reservoir Dispersed offers waterfront beach sites but no developed facilities. Wood Road Dispersed Site features riverside locations with basic rock fire rings. Some areas like Henry's Lake BLM have vault toilets, but most sites provide no water, electricity, or waste disposal. Prepare to be completely self-sufficient with all necessary supplies, including water and waste management solutions. Cell service varies significantly by location, so download maps ahead of time and bring emergency communication devices if heading to more remote areas.

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