Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Soda Springs? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Soda Springs, including photos, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Idaho excursion.
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 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 (12 months in Alaska).
Diamond Creek Guard Station is located 30 miles east of Soda Springs, Idaho. The current building was constructed in the early 1990 ??s as a snowmobile warming hut. The cabin is accessible by car in warmer months and by snowmobile in winter. The cabin provides a few conveniences; however, guests should be prepared to bring the supplies and equipment they need to make their stay more comfortable.
The Bear Canyon OHV Trail is about two miles north of the guard station . Hikers and mountain bikers will also find trails nearby. The area surrounding the cabin is a playground for snowmobilers and skiers in the winter months. Anglers can fish in nearby Diamond Creek. The surrounding area also attracts big game and game bird hunters.
The cabin sits in a meadow at an elevation of 6,900 feet surrounded by the peaks of Dry Ridge and the Webster sub-range in southeastern Idaho. Stands of aspen and lodgepole pine dot the landscape. Wildlife in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest includes black bears, wolves, elk, moose, mule deer, bison, grizzly bears , mountain lions and pronghorn.
$35 / night
The Blackrock Canyon is associated with the Chinese Peak – Blackrock Rock Trail System, providing non-motorized and motorized users over 40 miles of trails to utilize for OHV, equestrian, mountain biking and hiking. This site is equipped with sheltered picnic tables, fire rings, vaulted restrooms and 2 trailhead parking lots. Additionally, there is an ATV loading/unloading ramp at the lower lot. Site and trail rules and regulations are posted at the trailheads. The site is closed to shooting year around.
Palisades Reservoir is in a scenic valley with forested hillsides rising from the water to the towering snowcapped mountains which form the background. The reservoir has about 70 miles of shoreline and six access roads have been built. Public use facilities include five campgrounds, five picnic areas, and six boat ramps. Two boat clubs have facilities on the reservoir and private cabins have been constructed under permit from the Forest Service. Fishing, motorized and non-motorized boating are all popular activities on the reservoir.
Legend
Coordinates: 42.78898,-110.68746. Free. Camped here Sept 17, 2024. One of several dispersed campsites along Greys River Road (Forest Road 10138). Large dispersed site, set back from forest road; no concerns with dust coming into the site from passing vehicles. Should comfortably accommodate 3 or 4 rigs. Clean rock fire ring. Mostly level, dirt surface. Easy access from forest road. Open site surrounded by trees. Next to Grey's River; easy access for bank fishing. There is a set of trees that may accommodate hammock camping. Tent camping also possible. Area can get muddy after rain. Solar recharging possible in middle of afternoon. No T-Mobile nor AT&T cell service. Loved this spot.
Guide
Good spot to stop for a night. Big gravel parking lot and some hiking trails nearby. Close to the highway.
Guide
(October 5th, 2023) Camped in the backyard of a brewery! Got here after dark and it wasn’t totally clear where to find the camp spots, but after some exploring we got to the best site (43.1666131, -111.0380217). Great beer (and bathrooms) were just a quick walk away!
Scout
Beautiful place to camp. The water is shallow and surrounded by mountains. You have to wade through mud to get to the water (which is also muddy). You can also still hear the highway traffic, but not bad. We visited in August, so the fires made the area hazy. The up sides: lots of space and privacy. Camp sites are super far apart in comparison to others. Fire pits are available and drift wood is everywhere. Some spots have trees for hammocks. Pet friendly and lots of bird watching.
Scout
Tons of land, tons of campsites.. but most are "occupied" by empty trailers with no other vehicles or people around. There's empty cars parked on top of fire pits, no tents or any sort of life nearby. Felt strange.
This road is rough and very bumpy. Didn't feel comfortable "taking over" a campsite with things already parked there. Wouldn't recommend coming here.
GuideEnded up driving this road up to Idaho to find a bigger spot and some solitude. Took the dirt road for about 30 minutes and got the most perfect spot. Nobody was near us and the view was amazing. We went at the beginning of June, it was a bit chilly some mornings and at night, so come prepared.
GuideNumber of dispersed sites along the waters edge. The spots are spread out nicely.
Leading up to the water is a bit muddy but overall great place. Not much shade.
Traveler
Nice stop, road is a little rough, but other than that it was great
Scout
Easy access from Lava with about 10 designated spots, most with room for two vehicles and one(?) pull through spot that fit my truck/30foot TT. Most had either a metal fire ring or picnic table or both. Pretty enough area, but right off the road and even closer to a train that passed through multiple times at night.
Pulled in at 10:30 pm Saturday night July Fourth weekend and was able to snag the last spot so very clutch!
NOTE - Google satellite photos are NOT accurate, the area is fenced off and sites are limited, no longer the free for all it appears to have been
GuideDirections are clear but seem sketch when following, but you will know when you arrive. Tight area with several campers adjacent to a resevoir and huge hills of gravel ate the entrance to the brewery.
ScoutMay 2024 - This is a good stopping point for those who are passing through. There is a Flying J truck stop on the opposite side of I-15. They have fuel, propane, dump station ($10) and water. The road into dispersed camping is full of pot holes so go slow with a Class A RV or if you have low clearance. The noise from the freeway is minimal. I would stay here again.
ScoutClose to highway, easy driven dirt road with plenty of flat spots to park. Good for one night while passing through.
ScoutNice spot in a gravel parking lot surrounded by small mountains with toilets nearby. Park on the right as camping is prohibited on the left.
As others have mentioned, dirt bikes and four wheelers are driving by at night & you can just barely hear the cars from the highway. I’m sure I’ll sleep juuuuust fine 😌
ScoutThis site is at an abandoned state park. The coordinates navigate just past the entrance and we got a bit confused at first. Mapping to Indian Rocks State Park will provide more accurate directions.
The site is very accessible - the road is washboard with lots of potholes, slow going for us with a 24' travel trailer, but totally doable. Plenty of sites - we snagged a mostly level pull through and stayed hitched. Great views. Traffic noise isn't ideal, but fine for a quick stop.
GuideEasy to find spot by the reservoir and Melvin Brewing. Stayed on the upper part. Swarms of those flying ants when I stayed here. Mosquitos came out once the sun went down. Note the brewery is closed Mon/Tues, sad I missed out as I stayed Tuesday.
GuideGreat spot overlooking the Snake River about 80 yards from great beer and food, live entertainment 2 days.
TravelerLots of spaces here. Big pull-in spots for camper rigs. And some small side pull outs for sedans who don’t mind walk-in tent spots.
GuideThis is a safe spot for overnight. Nice views of mountains. There is highway noise. Camper trailers can manueuver without difficulty. TMobile works here.
GuideClose to brewery, as far as I can tell if their is a flat spot and fire ring you can park for 5 days MAX! And the local LE is strict on that. Also be advised the tides change often many people have found themselves under water as told by the wait staff at Melvin.
GuideWe have tried many dispersed camping spots now and this is by far the best one we’ve visited. Easy access to lake swimming, free WiFi at the brewery and many spots to choose from. Nice July temperatures. Would definitely come back!
TravelerOur first time boondocking in a camper van and we may be spoiled for life! Had a spot right on the water, with an brewery 100 yards away. The people were great, the brews were tasty and the sunset was stunning. 10/10
GuideFairly well maintained and freeway close. 10-12 campsites that are pretty level. Beautiful view on both sides. A great place for a night on the road.
GuideAfter a long drive this place was perfect. This location is very close the freeway exit. We got lucky to find a pretty leveled pull through site. It looked liked there were only about 10 sites in total. The road in was unpaved but not too rough. Some cars drove past during our stay faster than that we thought was correct. The views to the mountain were awesome. We had some cows come and visit our site early the morning we were leaving. Not sure about why they are free roaming but we liked having them visit.
ScoutFound a perfect spot here and this particular one was quite level! A tree for some shade, quiet, but above all, spectacular views. Road is slightly washboard along with occasional pot holes but accessible for my 24 ft. RV.
GuideClose to the interstate so some traffic noise but we had a good nights sleep. 8+ spots. We stoped here on our way to Yellowstone. This is an abandoned state park so some sites are over grown.
GuideAbsolutely beautiful location off highway 89. A popular place especially for ohv-ers. Lots of places to park but most of them seemed to be “claimed” (tents or trailers with no vehicles) for the upcoming weekend. That is the only reason for the loss of one star. We were there on a Thursday night just for and one night stop-and-go, so any of those claimed spots we could have used had they not been there.
There is a creek that flows back and forth around the area, we had that for our soundtrack as we slept.
At about mile 2 from the turn-off, there is a cattle guard and clear signs that the road is public but the land is not. It is possible that there is another cattle guard further up and more dispersed passed it as we saw more rvs head up and not turn around and come back, but we did not investigate that.
Well worth the trip in the search for a spot though. It was an amazing stay.
Scout
The road from the Alpine was fine but then got worse when trying to turn left onto Forest Rd 10023. The scenery is beautiful but someone is shooting at the river. Stayed one night on the grass between forest rd 10138/10023 for safety reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Soda Springs, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Soda Springs, ID is Indian Rocks - Dispersed Camping with a 4.1-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Soda Springs, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 dispersed camping locations near Soda Springs, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
