Saint Anthony, Idaho offers multiple camping options within a 30-mile radius, with elevations ranging from 4,800 to 6,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s during the day and drop to the 40s at night, creating ideal conditions for yurt camping and other outdoor accommodations. The region's diverse terrain includes riverfront sites, alpine meadows, and forest settings that attract visitors from May through October.
What to do
Fishing at Buffalo River: Cast for trout in the Buffalo River, which runs alongside Buffalo Campground. "It was my 8 year old's first time fly fishing and this river is perfect for first-timers. Most areas are about 2-3' deep with some deeper holes. We arrived at the river just in time for a massive Caddis fly hatch and he landed himself a few 10" trout," notes Andy O.
Par 3 golfing: Combine camping with a round of golf at Yellowstone Golf Resort. "Nestled in an Aspen grove with a 18 hole par 3 course surrounded by rolling hills of farmer's fields," shares Jim M., making it unique among camping destinations in the region.
Hiking to waterfalls: Explore the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway near Grand View Campground. "The campground is within walking distance of Lower Mesa Falls and an easy but longer hike to Upper Mesa Falls. All the usual amenities in this campground- picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets(really clean!), plus steel prep stand tables," writes Annie C.
Riverside relaxation: Spend time by the Snake River for scenic views and water activities. A visitor to Riverside Campground shares, "We arrived at the river just in time for a massive Caddis fly hatch and he landed himself a few 10" trout. We spent the next few days fishing up and down the river, where we caught about 17 trout between us."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Henrys Lake State Park Campground maintains excellent restrooms year-round. Brett S. notes, "This campground has the nicest restrooms and showers I have EVER seen for a campground. Clean, warm, and with great water pressure."
Spacious campsites: Grand View Campground offers well-designed sites with ample space. "Small, quiet camp spot despite being off the scenic byway. You can easily walk down to the Lower Mesa Falls observation point from the campground, and Upper Falls are a 5 minute drive," says Jeni.
Private, wooded settings: Buffalo Campground provides secluded spots under forest cover. "My stay here was just for one night in August but it is a great relaxing place. During the day you could hear the highway a little but it wasn't something that I could hear often," reports Dan S.
Hot springs access: Heise Hot Springs offers camping with therapeutic water features. Brian C. mentions, "The campground felt more like camping, with open pit fires and good space between sites. It's a small but extremely clean campground with everything you need."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds in the Saint Anthony area close between October and May. A visitor to Kelly Island Campground notes: "When we arrived, the gate was pad-locked. Sign indicated open hours; but not that it would be closed for the season."
Wind conditions: Henrys Lake State Park experiences regular strong winds. George B. warns, "Be advised that the winds can be very strong there, so make sure you stake your tents well."
Mosquito preparation: Buffalo Campground can have significant mosquito activity in early summer. "The area had a lot of standing water still in June, which bred massive amounts of mosquitos. The first thing the host said to us was his apologies for the mosquitos," reports Andy O.
Wildlife encounters: Expect potential wildlife sightings, including large mammals. At Kelly Island Campground, Tony C. shares it's "not uncommon for a deer or a moose to walk through camp."
Tips for camping with families
River play opportunities: Wakeside Lake RV Park offers water access for children. Jack Adrian L. notes, "A very simple RV park, nice shade, easy to access beach on a manmade lake. Staff was super helpful. My only complaint was that their website says there's a playground and I could not find one. My kiddo was entertained enough by the water though so it worked out."
Fishing gear rentals: Some parks offer fishing equipment for kids. Brenda L. mentions at Rainbow Lake and Campground, you can "catch and release pond and rent poles for $5."
Yurt camping options: Yurts at Henrys Lake State Park provide an alternative for families who don't have camping gear. The structures offer protection from wind and rain while maintaining a camping experience.
Avoid crowded periods: If visiting with children, consider timing. "We were at the grand Tetons and had racked up some laundry and needed to chill for a couple of days before heading to Glacier. The sites here are very spacious and mostly level," shares Brenda L. about Wakeside Lake RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Grand View Campground offers power at campsites. Randy M. notes, "The campground is quiet, easy to navigate, and has power at each site. Great place to stay."
Early arrival recommended: First-come, first-served campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "It is a first come first serve so get there early. When we got there we started to pull in to a two space campsite the host came over and directed us to his favorite site which was secluded at the back of the campground," advises Linda G.
Shared electrical boxes: Check specific hookup configurations when booking. Erin H. notes at Wakeside Lake RV Park: "The only thing I didn't love was that we had to share an electrical juncture box with our neighbors. So there was one 50 amp and one 30 amp on the box."
Off-season considerations: When planning yurt camping near Saint Anthony, Idaho in shoulder seasons, pack for temperature fluctuations. George B. notes at Henrys Lake, "They also had an issue with the water heater while we were there so the showers were cold, but I'm sure they will get that taken care of."
