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Lindsey C.
Traveler
TravelerSawtelle Mountain Resort
The reason it’s a 5 is because Preston hooked us up last minute with a spot and electrical. Everything else in west Yellowstone closed or full. Looks like a great spot when RV park is open!
Top-Rated Camping in Idaho
Idaho's camping landscape ranges from state park campgrounds with electric hookups and cabin options to free dispersed sites on public lands. Ponderosa State Park near McCall features a peninsula campground with electric hookups and cabin options, while Craters of the Moon National Monument offers the Lava Flow Campground with tent and RV sites. Developed facilities like Camp Coeur D'Alene provide glamping accommodations, while Cauldron Linn offers free dispersed camping on BLM land. Several state parks including Henrys Lake, Bruneau Dunes, and Massacre Rocks maintain campgrounds with varying amenities and reservation requirements.
Many Idaho campgrounds operate seasonally, with peak availability from late May through September. Henrys Lake State Park opens from May to mid-October, while others like Three Island Crossing and Bruneau Dunes remain accessible year-round. Primitive sites generally lack potable water and other amenities during winter months. High-elevation locations may experience snow and freezing temperatures well into spring, limiting accessibility. Campgrounds near water features tend to fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. "Dirt roads with loose gravel but my AWD SUV had no problem towing my 30ft camper up and down to the waters edge," noted one camper about Mackay Reservoir.
Waterfront camping spots receive consistently positive reviews, with locations along rivers and lakes being particularly popular. Several dispersed camping areas near creeks provide more privacy than developed riverfront sites, which tend to fill quickly. As one visitor to North Fork Coeur D'Alene River noted, "The river spots fill up pretty fast, and the creek spots have more privacy." Campgrounds with mountain views also attract attention, with one camper describing "beautiful unobstructed views to the East, South and West" at Redtail Campground in McCroskey State Park. Proximity to attractions like hot springs and hiking trails adds appeal, though campers should be prepared for variable conditions including mosquitoes and occasional noise from highways or trains at some locations.
Best Camping Sites in Idaho (1,484)
1. Lava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument
75 ReviewsArco, IDWebsite+1 (208) 527-1335"This is what you would expect in the wilderness of Idaho! A unique location, and an experience worth having!"
"All facilities are closed so it’s just camping and exploring the park which is all within walking distance of the campground. Very friendly ranger working the front! Level sites on pavement."
2. Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed
45 ReviewsMurtaugh, IDWebsite+1 (208) 732-7200"One moment you are driving through farmland. The next moment a canyon appears out of nowhere. There is a beach there are waterfalls and the views are absolutely amazing."
"I haven't explored all the spots around the water since I got here at sunset but it's really cool and super close to the water."
3. Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday
43 ReviewsWest Yellowstone, MTWebsite+1 (406) 646-7606$35 - $120 / night
"I enjoy all the amenities, the only thing I wish it had was a sewer at the individual sites, but it’s ok because they have a couple within the park located towards the exits."
"9/6/19 Conveniently located, 6 miles from west entrance of park. We had a pull thru site, 45,. Level gravel site."
4. Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park
38 ReviewsMcCall, IDWebsite+1 (208) 634-2164$15 - $40 / night
"Ponderosa is in beautiful McCall, Idaho. Close to downtown and the lake. Great hiking trails. Good park for a family. The campsites are right next to one another, so not much privacy there."
"Great walking path around and down to the lake as well! Quick 10min ride into town for a nice lake side dinner."
5. Three Island Crossing State Park Campground
38 ReviewsGlenns Ferry, IDWebsite+1 (208) 366-2394"There is a picnic table and fire ring for having an enjoyable outdoor experience. there is a huge grass open area adjacent to the site which is nice for outdoor sports."
"Long paved with water and electric on one side and the pick-nik table behind us. It has 1 fire ring/grill in a box area. As crowded as the park seems, it’s very quite."
6. Massacre Rocks State Park Campground
38 ReviewsRockland, IDWebsite+1 (208) 548-2672"This beautiful state park is located right off of the freeway about 7 miles outside of American Falls, Idaho."
"You definitely want a lower loop site to get away from the freeway noise, plus you will have more shade during peak summer heat."
7. Henrys Lake State Park Campground
35 ReviewsIsland Park, IDWebsite+1 (208) 558-7532$60 - $70 / night
"This campground is situation on Henrys Lake and provides amazing views from the campground. There are trails to explore without going too far."
"Save money with the Idaho State Parks Pass. RV and tent camping fishing and boating. I have stayed here numerous times. Cell service spotty but can be achieved."
8. Bruneau Dunes State Park Campground
36 ReviewsBruneau, IDWebsite+1 (208) 366-7919$29 - $39 / night
"Bruneau Dunes State Park is a hidden gem in Idaho just 20 min off I-84 in Idaho not far from Boise."
"If you don't want to leave Idaho but you want to feel like you're in the dessert, this is an awesome place to camp!"
9. Targhee Creek
31 ReviewsWest Yellowstone, MTWebsite"This site is about 20 miles west of Yellowstone in Idaho. Great spot with easy access. Beautiful views and the blue mountains in the distance at sunset make this site a crowd pleaser."
"We originally wanted to stay farther south in Idaho after leaving Jackson but we weren’t happy with the location."
10. Mountain Home RV Park
31 ReviewsMountain Home, IDWebsite+1 (208) 580-1211"Walking distance to Walmart."
"This RV park is a little close to the highway, but was actually very quiet and is close to plenty of recreation. It was super clean, had great showers, and a really lovely staff."
Recent Camping Photos in Idaho
919 Photos of 1484 Idaho Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews in Idaho
4819 Reviews of 1484 Idaho Campgrounds
- iira W.
ScoutWakeside Lake RV Park
Really nice quiet place. We enjoyed our stay. There’s a lake here and while we stayed the water was like glass! It provides a perfect reflection of the surroundings. There’s a highway close but we didn’t hear a thing while we slept.
- TTeresa A.
LegendMcClendon Spring Campground
Great dispersed site with views of the snow dusted hills, stars and a beautiful sunrise. We were the only camper the night we spent in our way through the area. This is definitely worth a repeat should we find ourselves in the area again. It was a bit confusing entering the area. Road 1250 off of Highway 81 is probably not going to work if towing due to a somewhat tight turn at the second cattle guard but more of a concern is the big dip right after that guard The entrance is quite narrow as well. The first road in off Highway 77 has you opening and closing a couple gates and is a bit rough until you get to the main road. There is mention of a second entrance off 77 but we didn’t check that one out. The vault toilet was very clean but was out of TP. Pack it in-pack it out
Teresa T.LegendMilner Historic Recreation Area
There are multiple entries for the same park
I'm camping at the milliner historic park. And it is very very nice. The camp spots are basic pit. Toilet sometimes trash down. Little gravel roads right next to the water. The park is pretty huge, though. And they have just paved the incoming road. Typical BLM except it has lots and lots of stuff to see and paths to walk so fun place to visit. Day passes $5 and camping is 15, so I believe you owe a total of 20 I. Couldn't find a way online to actually pay for the camping. So I think you have to use the entrance fees area.
- Teresa T.Legend
Murtaugh Lake Park Campground
Very similar to the other campground
Pretty sure they're managed by the same county organization and use the same website. It's a cute little park out on a spit, surrounded by water. There was no host and it definitely points one at the website for reservations. Water and electric and pit toilets. The sign points to a dump station in nearby Kimberly.
- Teresa T.Legend
Twin Falls County Murtaugh Lake Park
Very cute with some shade
For a county park, it's cute if small. The issue is getting a reservation requires a myriad of information on a website which is kind of just too much. Seems like the prices are reasonable. The place is cute. The toilets trash electric hookups. I have not seen water or sewer.
Lily H.ScoutMike Harris
Gate was still open. Very empty campground with well maintained sites! Could hear the road slightly but easy drive in/out :)
- Teresa T.Legend
Wilson Lake
Pretty awesome for free
There are about 10 formal spots and more dispersed spots if you have a vehicle to get back there. Bathrooms, fire ring, picnic tables and trash at the park next door around a small but drying out lake. Free as of today still.
Karen & Alex M.
GuideLava Flow Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument
Unique Camping Environment
Definitely a unique campground. Sites are FCFS and this campground was very busy for this time of year, even with bathrooms closed (pit toilets only) and water shut off for the season. Sites are very close together but everyone was very respectful and relatively quiet. Lots of cool hikes in the nearby lava fields. International Dark Sky Park so great for stargazing too!
Guide to Idaho
Camping in Idaho offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, outdoor activities, and a chance to unwind in nature. Whether you're looking for hot springs, riverside spots, or mountain views, Idaho has something for everyone.
What to do
- Explore Hot Springs: Many campgrounds, like Bonneville, are close to hot springs. One camper said, “The hottest pools are close to the cascades, coolest are near the river.”
- Hiking and Biking: Campgrounds like Iron Creek provide access to popular trails. A visitor noted, “You are far away from the main road so no road noise but sometimes hikers will accidentally drive through the campground loop.”
- Fishing and Water Sports: At Stanley Lake Campground, you can enjoy fishing and other water activities. One reviewer mentioned, “Incredible views from about half of the sites.”
What campers like
- Scenic Views: Campers rave about the breathtaking scenery. One camper at Sockeye Campground said, “Clean quiet campground. Plenty of great spots to choose from.”
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many campgrounds, like North Fork Campground, are known for their peaceful settings. A visitor shared, “It’s a quiet place. It is dusty. The camp host was awesome.”
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and campsites. A review for Salmon River Campground noted, “Cleanest vault toilets ever. Asphalt roads and sites in good condition.”
What you should know
- Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds do not have electric hookups or showers. A camper at Pine Flats mentioned, “The site has no hookups, but is paved and easily navigated.”
- Wildlife Awareness: Be bear aware, especially in areas like Iron Creek. One visitor cautioned, “Be bear aware. There was snow this visit.”
- Reservation Recommendations: Some popular spots fill up quickly. A camper at Sunny Gulch Campground advised, “Plan ahead. I came on a Monday afternoon in mid-July and got the last site available.”
Tips for camping with families
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with nearby activities. At Stanley Lake Campground, a reviewer said, “The lake and mountains are so beautiful.”
- Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets for chilly nights. A camper at Iron Creek noted, “Even in the summer, nights drop into the 30s.”
- Engage in Outdoor Activities: Encourage kids to explore nature. One family at Sockeye Campground enjoyed, “Gorgeous views. Any kind of water sports you crave.”
Tips from RVers
- Check Road Conditions: Some campgrounds have rough access roads. A visitor at Iron Creek mentioned, “The road to get back to the campsite is pretty rough, but if you have a higher clearance vehicle it would be okay.”
- Plan for Limited Services: Be prepared for no cell service in many areas. A camper at North Fork Campground said, “Zero cell reception from ATT, Verizon or TMobile.”
- Bring Your Own Water: Some campgrounds do not have water hookups. A reviewer at Pine Flats noted, “There is drinking water via spigot at a few locations.”
Idaho camping is an adventure waiting to happen, with plenty of options for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What permits do I need for camping in Idaho's national forests?
What permits do I need for camping in Idaho's national forests?
Most Idaho national forests require a recreation pass for day use areas, but overnight camping typically requires separate permits. In the Targhee National Forest, campgrounds like Grand View Campground (Targhee NF) charge around $18/night with no additional permits needed. For dispersed camping on BLM land and many national forests, no permits are required, but there's typically a 14-day stay limit. Some areas like Swan Falls - Idaho Power have established spots on BLM land that don't require permits. Always check with the specific forest district office before your trip, as permit requirements can vary by location and season.
When is the best season for tent camping in Idaho?
When is the best season for tent camping in Idaho?
Late spring through early fall (mid-May to mid-September) offers the best tent camping conditions in Idaho, with summer being peak season. Pettit Lake Campground in the Sawtooth area provides excellent summer camping with access to hiking trails and lake activities. At higher elevations like Henrys Lake State Park Campground, the prime season is shorter (June-August) due to cooler temperatures. Fall brings beautiful colors but cooler nights. Many campgrounds close for winter, though some remain open with limited facilities. Be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms in summer and potentially frosty nights in late spring and early fall.
What are the best campgrounds in Idaho for first-time visitors?
What are the best campgrounds in Idaho for first-time visitors?
Peninsula Campground — Ponderosa State Park near McCall is perfect for first-timers with its proximity to town, lake access, hiking trails, and family-friendly atmosphere. While campsites are close together, the location and clean facilities make it an ideal starting point. Smoky Mountain Campground — Castle Rocks State Park offers another excellent option with well-maintained facilities and proximity to both Castle Rocks State Park and City of Rocks National Preserve. For those seeking a quieter experience, Iron Mountain Campground in Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park provides beautiful views of the Palouse region with fewer crowds.
Where can I find free dispersed camping spots in Idaho?
Where can I find free dispersed camping spots in Idaho?
Idaho offers abundant free dispersed camping opportunities on BLM and national forest lands. Herrick Reservoir Access provides free camping with a 10-day limit, though be careful to respect private property boundaries and watch for signage. The area around Swan Falls offers dispersed camping on BLM land, though it's more established than truly primitive. Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed is another free option. When dispersed camping in Idaho, always follow Leave No Trace principles, camp in previously used sites at least 200 feet from water sources, and check local regulations as some areas may have fire restrictions or seasonal closures.
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