Best Tent Camping near Shoup, ID
Tent camping options near Shoup, Idaho include both established campgrounds and primitive sites along the Salmon River. Bobcat Gulch and Camp Creek BLM offer tent-friendly camping in this remote area of central Idaho, with most sites positioned along waterways. Wallace Lake Campground provides seasonal tent camping from Memorial Day through September with basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, and trash service.
Most primitive tent sites require campers to be self-sufficient with their own water and waste disposal methods. Camp Creek BLM camping features approximately three sites with fire rings but no potable water or toilets. A camper noted, "We were the only ones there, each spot is super private, there aren't many spots. Ours was right on the river and we could easily go down and swim from our site." While some sites like Bobcat Gulch have vault toilets, others are completely undeveloped. Road conditions vary significantly, with some areas requiring high-clearance vehicles to access the more secluded tent sites. Highway noise can be noticeable at certain locations near US-93.
The tent camping experience in this area combines river access with mountain views. Campsites at Waddington Creek Primitive Campsite sit below the road alongside the Salmon River, providing natural sound buffering despite proximity to the highway. Trees for hammocking are available at several locations, and level tent pads can be found with some searching. A recent review highlighted that "It's beautiful. And luckily calm and warm for this time of year." Many sites are positioned at the bottom of canyons with 360-degree mountain views, making them excellent for stargazing. Seasonal considerations include fire restrictions during drought conditions and potential crowding during peak summer months, though most locations remain relatively uncrowded year-round with multiple sites often available even on weekends.
