Best Equestrian Camping near Spencer, ID

After a random restaurant stop, a local recommended we go check out big springs campground, which is the headwaters of the snake river and not too far outside of Yellowstone. I am so glad we did! After traveling over random dirt roads from Spencer, Idaho, we arrived to find several open spots for just $15 each. Nice and woodsy, pleasant neighbors, and sites are just big enough. There's bear boxes to use. Just a quick walk away is the headwaters of the snake river, where huge trout swim under a bridge and eat marshmallows and American cheese. Only downside is no showers or flush toilets. Close enough to Yellowstone that we slept in the car so we could wake up at 5 am and grab one of the early morning Yellowstone camp sites. Would definitely go back.

My 1st time camping here was better than I expected. We went up with some friends and had gotten 2 sites next to each other. Our site was a good size area, and was next to walking trails, across from the bathroom, and close to the water spigot. The scenery was beautiful. Surrounding trees, butterflies and one afternoon a deer had came close to our campsite. Our site did not have electric hook ups. It’s a nice campground, clean, and have walking trails that we took and caught beautiful scenery photos. Would return most definitely..No store, no firewood to buy, but close enough to head to town to get supplies.

Bootjack Dr.

Island Park, ID

44.5781, -111.341

Dept Fish & Wildlife 

14 day limit (doesn't seem to be enforced, but seems to be more seasonal campers, not permanent) Grass Spaces for even big rigs.

Verizon 4g/4 bars (no booster)

ATT 4g/3 bars

No OTA channels

Dump & water available at Henry's Lake St. Park

Amazon Locker in Idaho Falls

Large parking area as you exit I20 to Red Rock. visible from the hwy. 

Good place to drop a rig & scout out (highly recommended). 

Snow plow turnaround at the end of Bootjack Dr, so you can get turned around on that road.

Coordinates lead to the main area off the left on Bootjack Dr. 

There are 4 offshoot roads we saw, some going way back, but most people were parked fairly close to the tree line, or just in front of them for solar. 

Use Google satellite and then scout them out as the roads can get pretty rutted the further in you go.

This area gets pretty full in season, but we still found a spot pretty easily, and an even better spot down in a meadow by a creek (we needed sun for solar) with the help of a neighbor.

CAUTION: if you park down by the creek, watch the weather. It can get a bit mushy in spots, and the road in/out can rut out. 

This is a local ATV & Fishing hole. 

There will be traffic. Had a few joy riders on a Friday night, but everyone else great.

If you park by the creek, you will have fisherman coming down to fish. They were fun to talk to, and we never felt unsafe. Just be aware this IS a public area, and the local public uses it regularly. If you don't want people passing through to the creek, the meadow area might not be for you.

Wild West Pizza, Firehole BBQ,  Old Town Cafe our favorites in W.Yellowstone,

Cafe Sabor in Island Park.

Groceries & Supplies are at tourist prices, come stocked if you don't want to pay them.

We loved this spot. Peaceful, friendly neighbors, cows across the creek on private land, and Moose in the creek 3 days, easy access to Yellowstone,  and free.  Mid 80's high, mid to low 50's at night. We did have rain, and even some pea sized hail, but mostly just gorgeous days & nights. 

This one is on the 'return to' list.