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With the development of the Rickett’s RV Camp, overnight stays in the Park are now permitted. This fee-free primitive camp offers a vault toilet facility and 13 individual RV parking pads, each with a picnic table and fire ring, but no electric or water hook-ups. Additionally, a large open area is available to accommodate oversized rigs and equestrian travellers. Corrals are located adjacent to this area. Stays are limited to 5 days. Any overnight parking and dispersed camping are prohibited anywhere in the Park outside of a designated campground.
Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources.
Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.
Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days.
Guide
It’s hard to believe this place is free. Nicer than some National Forest campgrounds with the same amenities. Pit toilets and that’s it. The toilets were clean and the one by our site even had a light on! It was a quiet stay and convenient to see Shoshone Falls, and resupply at Costco or Walmart just to the north in Jerome. Don’t skip the scenic overlooks at the bridge on highway 93, beautiful views, and we even watched a couple base jumpers there
ScoutWonderful place for free camping, even better than some dirt but with 20bucks over....
Traveler
Excellent dispersed camping nice spaced out spots. Can hike along the river. Overall really liked this spot
ScoutIn the summer when the area is busier I think we would have love this more. Happy we were able to find free camping in this area. It’s a recreation area, so when we arrived we saw some in the distance fishing and another person bike riding. We were the only ones camping, and there was some unknown activities of others who came and went that we were unsure of. We would have felt better if someone else was camping somewhere. Nothing happened though and it was a cool spot. Definitely think when other campers are around this would be a great spot!
Legend
This site is across the highway from the entrance to the Shoshone Ice Cave attraction on highway 75. If you are heading north on 75, turn right at the gift shop on the right side of the road. Proceed down the gravel road east and make a left at the first curve to the left. Right after the curve, you'll see a small concrete bridge on the right that crosses the canal. Park in the open area just across the canal. You are between the canal and the Big Wood river which is dry in the summer months. What's nice about this spot is privacy and isolation. It's a great spot near both Shoshone Ice Cave and Just a few miles from Mammoth Cave. The site is next to an old lava flow which is incredible to see and explore. Wildlife we saw includes deer and owls, wood peckers and many other birds.
There's a couple bars of Verizon here. Nice hiking and exploring the river bottom and some water-carved rocks. Just a few miles north on 75 is Black Magic Canyon which has some larger more impressive water carved rocks. You can hike the stream bed. There is an information sign about this at the intersection of 75 and Black Magic Road. Be careful as the water agencies can release water anytime. They suggest you call before hiking the stream bed. By the way - free RV dump station in the town of Shoshone 16 mile south.
Scout
Delightful creekside free campsites! Turn at the BLM sign and take a little gravel road to several free creekside spots! There are at least two pit toilets, one at a spot with two picnic tables, each has a great shade, fire pit, and a place for a camp stove! One has a flat raised gravel spot for a tent, which was good because we actually saw a couple mice. The second pit toilet was further down the road at a more separated spot, it looked like it was ADA accessible and also had a picnic table, etc. Close enough to Carey to get gas/ice. Only giving it 4 stars because of the mice (pack out your own trash guys! It isn’t hard!) and the complete lack of trees, the covers over the picnic tables did proved shade, but it still got crazy hot.
ScoutRicketts BLM RV Camp just north of Twin Falls. This fee-free primitive BLM camp offers 2 vault toilets (in case you did not bring own) and 13 level RV parking pads, each with a picnic table and fire ring, but no electric or water hook-ups. There is also equestrian and overflow parking if needed.
TravelerThe BLM Cauldron Linn camp site is breath taking. The drive out and down takes awhile but damn is it worth it! Bring everything you need because it is complete nature. I wouldn’t recommend taking anything longer than 22’ out here, twisty curves. Have some new art on my rig.
ScoutWe found this spot last minute, late in the afternoon while on a multi day drive. Lots of spots, though we had the place to our on a Sunday night, early April.
Great little trail along the river and falls. Perfect after a long day of driving. The area was super clean (lets all continue this!) and beautiful.
If you do not have a car for high clearance (a Subaru would do fine) just use the upper two camp spots.
Our dogs loved it:)
ScoutSnake River Canyons Park- Rickett's RV Camp offers a peaceful and convenient location for an overnight stay. The campsites are mostly clean and equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. While the area is quite dry, it provides a safe and hassle-free experience. Nothing fancy. The Sherrif did a drive through at dusk(a feature I like) and the camp filled up before the sun had set. The availability of basic amenities such as pit toilets and horse corrals adds to the convenience of the site. If you're looking for a quick overnight stay this is a great spot that is pretty much a free campsite complete with a site host.
TravelerBeautiful spots and surrounding area. We sadly had to turn around because of a sketchy looking encampment. We did report to BLM so hopefully this spot will be more approachable in the future!
Guide
Nice open and secluded area with decent camping options. Pulled in around midnight and saw about 3 other cars but room enough for twice that. The lower area is not too far down a little dirt/gravel drive that ends next to the river. There’s a second more brushy road off to the left that ends in a secluded spot but no toilet. Decent vault toilet by the river, but didn’t see a water spigot for drinking water. Only thing is no at&t service, and the train tracks are across the river but it never blew its horn and was just a rare low rumble. With ear plugs I didn’t hear it at all. Would stay here again!
ScoutBeautiful camp site super easy to access, we got by fine without 4WD. Unfortunately people have kind of trashed some of the sites there was broken glass and lots of other litter
TravelerThis site is Free and easy to find, and not too far off the main road. There are a dozen or so marked sites with their own tables and fire pits. This site is surrounded by trails used for ATVs and Bikes. It also has one bathroom on site. No Hookups.
I stayed there for a night in April of 2024 while passing through and it was a convenient and hassle-free location. Decent Cell service
Here is additional info on the site:
https://freecampsites.net/#!267314&query=sitedetails
Note: This site seems like it is relatively new and still undergoing construction/expansion so some details may vary from the time of this report.
GuideNice campground with 13 campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. There is also 2 pit toilets. Only stayed one night on our way to Oregon. There is a 5 night limit. Would stay here again if in the area. About 5 empty spots when we pulled in on a Sunday evening. There is also 3 horse corrals if looking for a place to ride.
TravelerThere are only a few spots that I saw, and it’s first come first serve. There’s a river that a few people were fishing in, and a bank with plenty of space to hang out. The campsites are nicely spaced out so your not right next to anyone. There’s no designated trail that I could see, but there were some great areas for hiking and climbing.
GuideAs previously posted, about a dozen sites with no hookups. I was in the process of moving across country and exhausted. I loved that this place was close enough to town that I didn’t have to cook. Haha. If you’re an atv or mtb type, tons to do here. But if you’re looking for scenery, all you will find in this campsite is the occasional amazing sunset which I was lucky enough to catch. ;-)
GuidePretty, small area with a boat launch. No services were open in April, but parking was available and free. There is enough Verizon cell signal to text, but not to stream.
TravelerShowed up late October around 6. It’s quiet, just out of town and there are toilets places I guess (didn’t use) and a fire pit by my site. Didn’t use either. Cold (34* last night) rainy, super windy, but felt safe and free is great 😊
LegendI lucked into stumbling upon this single site campsite along silver creek. I’m not a fisherwoman, but apparently there is some good fishing in the creek. What I loved about this site was that there was only the one site here, with a clean-ish vault toilet(it was getting close to needed a pump out). No traffic sounds, no campground noise, just the creek and the birds and cicadas and a visit from some mule deer. There was a nice picnic table and a tent pad, and, although there was no where to get firewood, a fire pit and grill. I didn’t see any evidence of fish guts, so I am guessing any fishermen would clean their fish in the creek(?). The next morning as I was leaving the area I found 2 more sites that were more developed with a large gravel parking/turnaround and pavilion covered picnic tables that were handicap accessible. But I am glad I camped where I did for the solitude, just me, Silver Creek, some mule deer, and the cicadas and birds.
Legend
This was a really really small camping area that's located along the creek road going through the south hills of Idaho. There are absolutely no amenities here however so take care of business at one of the more developed campgrounds along the road! It had wonderful shade everywhere but there wasn't any flat ground to be able to lay out a tent. There were also only 2 maybe 3 campgrounds if you squeezed it in and it required a high clearance vehicle to get to 2 of them. Good thing is if you get these sites you will have no one around you and personal access to a great hiking trail and in the winter snowshoeing back country skiing trail!
ScoutNice and breezy and easy nothing fancy but if you need a place to lay down for then night close to highway its great. I have Verizon and service
TravelerThere is not much exciting about this area if I am being honest. It's a good spot to set up and sleep for the night. There are not really any good views, and there aren't a ton of dedicated sites/fire rings. You just kind of have to pick a spot and setup. It worked fine to sleep at for one night, but I probably wouldn't spend an extended stay here.
There was a river at the end of the road with one part that could potentially be used for cliff jumping. I didn't know if you could swim in this water though or how deep it really was so I didn't test it.
TravelerTent camped here in site 6. Felt safe the entire night and the campground featured bathrooms, which was a plus. Definitely targeted more towards RVs and camper style set-ups, but good night regardless minus some weather and wind!
ScoutThere is a picnic table, fire pit, and pit toilet. T-mobile service had a few bars.
GuidePulled into this area, easily, without any obstacles. The sites were plenty to choose from, clean, and had a table with a fire ring. Watched an awesome sunset and moved on the next morning. Not much here other than the basic stuff to spend the night and feel safe. I will stay here in my travels again. Area is very dry right now.
LegendFairly quiet with occassional car racing by. Very close to city of twin falls. Has vault restrooms and firepits at the sites.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Shoshone, Idaho, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles, from tent camping to RV setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Shoshone, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Shoshone, ID is Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 29 reviews.
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