Spring Valley Reservoir near Santa, Idaho has designated camping areas that can accommodate both horse trailers and tents. Located approximately 25 miles from Santa at an elevation of 2,900 feet, the area experiences warm days and cool nights during summer months. The reservoir provides multiple access points for riding trails that connect to surrounding forest paths.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Spring Valley Reservoir offers good fishing spots for day visitors. According to Saugat B., it's a "Good place for fishing and day picnic."
Trail exploration: Liberty Lake Regional Park provides hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. One visitor notes, "It has paved/gravel roads. The road in was kinda sketchy if you are pulling a large RV. It is surrounded by a heavily wooded area that is very beautiful and well kept up."
Wildlife viewing: The reservoir area supports diverse bird populations. Celine K. reports, "Decent bird watching here. I always see a Great Blue Heron and often eagles as well!"
River access camping: Isabella Landing Camp provides riverside sites for anglers and water enthusiasts. Christopher R. describes it as an "Awesome place tucked away along the river with plenty of sites to see and wildlife to view."
What campers like
Open camping areas: Spring Valley Reservoir has spaces that accommodate various camping styles. Hayli N. explains, "You can camp up by the reservoir parking lot, or further in, closer to the wooded area. There are bathrooms interspersed and great for fishing."
Accessible amenities: Kootenai County Fairgrounds RV Park offers modern facilities for horse trailers passing through the region. Joseph notes, "The sites are all pretty level with the parking areas paved. Grass and groomed gravel areas too."
Natural shade options: For those seeking wooded sites for horse camping, some areas provide natural cover. Annika W. mentions, "The tent sites were nicely shaded so I wasn't baking in them."
Primitive camping: Breakwater Campground provides basic tent sites for those seeking minimal amenities. One camper reports, "Great tent camping. Also, it's a great starting point to some really good dirt bike trails. Be prepared for no cell service. 0 amenities. It's just a place to pitch a tent and have a fire. And it cost nothing."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Wind can be a significant factor at Spring Valley Reservoir. Rachel A. warns, "Wind kicks up so high it's hard to make a campfire last."
Water quality timing: The reservoir's water condition changes seasonally. Celine K. advises, "The water is clean and nice through most of the summer, but towards mid-August the trash can pile up a bit."
Cell service limitations: Liberty Lake Regional Park has better connectivity than remote locations. Adam B. reports, "Cell service is solid att and Verizon. Nice hiking and cycling trails."
Site spacing considerations: Some camping areas near Santa can become crowded during peak times. Rachel A. notes sites at Spring Valley Reservoir are "on top of each other apart from a few scattered around the res."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly locations: Spring Valley Reservoir works well for first-time campers. Gabrielle L. shares, "Our first camping trip in the books! Lots to learn. Great trails and great places to put up your hammock."
Facilities with amenities: Kootenai County Fairgrounds RV Park provides clean facilities suitable for families with horses. Steve W. explains, "This park is only 5 years old and gets better every year. Bathrooms and shower house are open."
Activity options: Equestrian camping near Santa provides opportunities for multiple recreational activities. Hannah C. notes, "Great docks on the water, swimming, fishing, bathrooms, trash cans, and even a fish cleaning station."
Proximity to services: When camping with horses and families, access to nearby towns matters. Hannah C. points out Spring Valley Reservoir "is located conveniently near Troy, and is about a 25 minute drive to Moscow."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When horse camping with an RV near Santa, Idaho, level sites become important. Rick Shannon P. shares, "This place was very well kept and very friendly campground host. This place is big rig friendly. I stayed in a 45 class A motorhome with a tow vehicle."
Hookup availability: Spring Valley Reservoir offers water and electric options unlike many other campgrounds. Hannah C. notes, "I like how the RV sites have water and electricity unlike most campgrounds in the area."
Backing considerations: Some sites accommodate horse trailers and RVs better than others. Katherine B. warns about Isabella Landing, "There is a river take out that may be used to back trailers up to, so the flat spots across from it may not be ideal."
Space between sites: When traveling with horses, adequate spacing matters. Kaitlin K. appreciates, "We loved how large the sites and overall area was, so we could back our rig in easily (40ft long x 13.5ft tall.)"
