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jana G.
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TravelerBig Bar Campground
Long, beautiful drive that is 100% worth it. Vault toilets.
Tent Camping near Spink, ID
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The forests surrounding Spink, Idaho offer multiple tent camping opportunities in the Payette National Forest and nearby mountain areas, ranging from primitive backcountry sites to established tent campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Lick Creek Area features three tent campsites located on the edge of the Frank Church Wilderness, while primitive tent sites at Paddy Flat provide backcountry camping access near Jughandle Mountain. Most tent camping areas in this region are situated in high-elevation forested areas with creek or lake access.
Tent campsites throughout this region typically provide basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables at established sites, while dispersed camping areas often have no facilities. Sites like Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area include vault toilets that are reasonably well maintained. The elevation of most tent campgrounds results in cold overnight temperatures even in summer months, with visitors reporting temperatures dropping into the upper 30s at night in early August. Most tent camping areas require campers to bring their own water or use filtration systems for nearby creek or lake water. Access roads to backcountry tent sites often require high-clearance vehicles, with several camping areas reached via rough dirt roads.
Secluded tent camping locations provide excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. The Brundage Reservoir area offers lakeside tent sites with direct water access, while Granite Lake Camping Area provides excellent hiking opportunities with trail networks extending from the campgrounds. Areas near Lick Creek serve as gateways to wilderness hiking, with one visitor noting that "Lick lake is a 3 mile hike into the wilderness and is gorgeous." Many tent campers appreciate the natural soundscape of these remote locations, with one camper describing how "the white noise from the creek matched with the occasional bird or other nature sound is one of the most relaxing things on the planet." Tent-only areas typically offer more secluded experiences than developed campgrounds, with fewer neighbors and darker night skies.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Spink (58)
1. Paddy Flat - Jughandle Mountain Area, McCall RD
"A very cold lake bring water or filter."
2. Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area
"It’s really just a small meadow in the mountains that the BLM put a vault toilet and a couple of fire rings in. That being said, this place is beautiful."
3. Northwest Passage Campground — Ponderosa State Park
"There is a water pump at the entrance of the camp site that you get your water from. There are no hook ups or running water at sites. There are established fire rings and a picnic table."
"This campground has a lot of sites that are well sectioned off from each other and have tons of greenery and shrubs to divide up the campsites, having access to the beach along the river and only being"
4. Paddy Flat Campground
5. Brundage Reservoir Camping Area
"Driving down a pot-holed, dirt road for quite awhile, we found ourselves concerned that we may not find something. We then spotted a beautiful lake through the trees. "
"We went here for mountain biking (if you go, check out Groupon for the lift) this campground was awesome because it was so close to Brundage resort, and the ski lift up, it was such an enjoyable stay,"
6. Lick Creek Area, McCall & Krassel Ranger Districts
"A CTX toilet and fire rings. Lick lake is a 3 mile hike into the wilderness and is gorgeous! No fee."
7. Payette National Forest Four Mile Campground
"It was nice and quiet And you could hear the river nearby. Spot 3 has a great access trail that takes you down by the creek which flows into the river. There is a rock fire pit down there."
8. Granite Lake Camping Area
"awesome place for rent camping and hiking lots of trails to explore but not a great place if you need a RV to go camping"
9. Picnic Point (ID)
"Warm Lake Picnic Point One of several options for the recreation area. This is a primitive area with the lodge within easy walking distance. Room for a small group with tents and hammocks."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 / night
10. Penny Spring Campground
Drive Time
- 1 hr 53 min from Boise, ID
- 2 hrs 53 min from Lewiston, ID
- 3 hrs 37 min from Twin Falls, ID
- 4 hrs 40 min from Walla Walla, WA
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Spink, ID
15 Photos of 58 Spink Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Spink, ID
405 Reviews of 58 Spink Campgrounds
- TTristan S.Traveler
Northwest Passage Campground — Ponderosa State Park
Beautiful greenery and quiet site
This campground has a lot of sites that are well sectioned off from each other and have tons of greenery and shrubs to divide up the campsites, having access to the beach along the river and only being 15-20 minutes from McCall made this an amazing campsite.
- Kimberly A.
GuideRidgeview Campground — Lake Cascade State Park
Absolutely Incredible!
What a wonderful campground! Small yet don’t feel on top of your neighbor. Views of the lake are phenomenal and the beach/shoreline was awesome! We loved every minute and give it a 10/10.
- llee R.Guide
Copperfield Park
Nice spot w EV charging
Nice spot along river with lots of shade. Nice sites, clean and well maintained restrooms w showers. 6kW EV charger by river in day use area - one of the few along the Hells Canyon scenic byway.
- RRobert M.
ScoutPaddy Flat Campground
Discrimination
She was talking about they discriminated against anybody with pets. What camp or what person in Idaho doesn’t have a pet. This is the most pathetic campground I’ve ever seen.
Amanda M.TravelerWaters Edge RV Resort
Great overnight stop with the kids!!
I’d give 4.5 stars if possible. Great location to break up the trip between Boise and Lewiston.
Lots of fun stuff to do: good swimming beach with the ability to check out canoes and kayaks (life jackets available for loan was a big deal since our 7&9 year olds forgot to pack theirs), sand volleyball, big bonfire ring near the beach, benches and picnic tables along the water access, lots of access to fishing within walking distance. Big rocks along the water that our daughter really enjoyed scrambling along, and we laid across them to watch the meteor shower.
Sites are big and easy to park our 36’ camper, easy check in, cute little store with firewood for sale. Staff were courteous and helpful.
Bathroom was clean, we didn’t use the shower.
The only thing I could complain about is that our picnic table was not in the best shape, but we swapped out for our neighbor’s since the site showed as available for the only night we were going to stay.
Chris M.ScoutBig Eddy Campground
Great but noisy
Small campground on the river. Flat parking and good facility. Road noise is significant.
Hannah A.ScoutCold Springs Campground - Payette Nf (ID)
Quiet & Remote
Lots of first-come-first-served campsites. We showed up on a Tuesday early and there were tons of spots available. Vault toilets were clean. Drinking water was some of the best we've had. No cell service for Verizon. Road up to the campground is gravel washboard for about 3.5 miles - slow going, but ultimately worth it.
Reservoir was decent. Very weedy, and unless you take the concrete boat ramp, it is all thick mud. Water seemed clean though, and was nice and cool.
Lots of cows around - can definitely hear them early in the morning.
Nice place to camp - would stay again.
- rreed C.Guide
Boise National Forest Shoreline Campground
Break from the valley heat
We came up to escape the 105 temps in Boise. Shoreline was not at capacity. Quiet couple of days. Paved roads and sites. Plenty of space between sites. Friendly site hosts. Beautiful lake with a significant boat launch area
Guide to Spink
Tent camping near Spink, Idaho offers primitive backcountry experiences at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet within the Payette National Forest. High-clearance vehicles are necessary for accessing many remote sites, particularly after seasonal rains when forest roads become rutted and challenging. Many camping areas remain snow-covered until late June, with July through mid-September providing the most reliable access.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Brundage Reservoir Camping Area serves as an excellent base for mountain bikers, with proximity to Brundage Mountain Resort's lift-accessed trails. "We went here for mountain biking (if you go, check out Groupon for the lift) this campground was awesome because it was so close to Brundage resort, and the ski lift up," notes Franklin R.
Hot springs exploration: Several natural hot springs lie within day-trip distance of Spink area campgrounds. Four Mile Campground provides convenient access to 16 Mile Hot Springs. "About a mile and a half up the road is 16 mile hot springs which was wonderful! All sites come with a picnic table and fire ring," reports Hannah C.
Lakeside paddling: Multiple lakes throughout the region offer paddling opportunities on crystal-clear mountain waters. "The water is crystal clear and fishing is popular. There is a trail that goes completely around the lake but we turned back when a snake crossed our path," explains a camper at Picnic Point.
What campers like
Accessible solitude: Despite relative proximity to McCall, many camping areas offer genuine seclusion. "It's amazing but not for the reasons people usually like in my opinion," notes Kevin C. at Rapid Creek Dispersed Camping Area. "All in all, Rapid Creek dispersed camping is excellent if you just want a quiet place where no one is around."
Natural soundscapes: Creek-side tent sites provide calming natural background noise. Four Mile Campground campers appreciate the river sounds. "It was nice and quiet and you could hear the river nearby. Spot 3 has a great access trail that takes you down by the creek which flows into the river," describes Hannah C.
Lake proximity: Several camping areas offer direct water access for swimming and fishing. "We then spotted a beautiful lake through the trees. Both of us, as well as our pup, were amazed as we made our way through some brush, at which point we saw an open spot right next to the water," shares Ted-Kelli T. about their Brundage Reservoir experience.
What you should know
Cold nights year-round: Even summer camping requires warm sleeping gear due to significant temperature drops. "It's high enough in elevation that this place gets nippy at night. I stayed in early August and the temps dropped into the upper 30s at night," warns a camper at Rapid Creek.
Wildlife encounters: Beyond typical forest creatures, larger mammals frequent the area. "The wild life there is abundant. We saw bald eagles, moose, deer and chipmunks," reports Cindy N. at Northwest Passage Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Spink, ID?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Spink, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Spink, ID is Paddy Flat - Jughandle Mountain Area, McCall RD with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Spink, ID?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Spink, ID?
TheDyrt.com has all 58 tent camping locations near Spink, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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