Tent camping near Swan Valley, Idaho presents options along the Snake River's South Fork at elevations between 5,300 and 7,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F during daytime with nighttime lows around 45°F, creating significant temperature swings campers must prepare for. Winds are common in exposed areas, particularly in the afternoon when thunderstorms frequently develop.
What to do
Fishing access points: Pine Creek Pass Dispersed Camping serves as a gateway to fishing spots. "Shortly after I arrived another Van showed up and parked down the way essentially on the road which was fine. You can hear a bit of road traffic from time to time but generally it's quiet," notes a reviewer at Pine Creek Pass Dispersed Camping.
Wildlife viewing: The area hosts moose, deer, and elk. At Warm Slough, campers report, "We spent 2 nights here in between trips to Yellowstone and Tetons due to winter road closures. Great spot to hang out outside of Rexburg. Each site has a fire ring and plenty of privacy. Toilets are operating and clean. Right on the banks of the slough and there's even a resident moose!"
Boat access: Several campgrounds connect directly to waterways. According to a South Tourist Park Campground camper, "There is a small boat launch. A few back in sites but mostly just pull next to the side sites with picknick table and fire pit. 16 campsites."
What campers like
Solitude in dispersed sites: Campers appreciate the remoteness. At Phillips Bench Trailhead, a reviewer reported, "Steep 3 miles up highway outside Jackson. Pull off on RIGHT small area with a beautiful waterfall fed pond! Right next to highway, but not a lot of traffic or road noise, could change seasonally."
Availability of toilets: Many dispersed sites feature basic facilities. At Antelope Springs Designated Dispersed Camping, a camper noted, "Well kept dispersed camping spot. Only 8 spots in the circle so you have to get here early. They have two clean vault toilets as well."
Mountain views: The Teton range dominates the landscape. One Curtis Canyon Dispersed Camping visitor wrote, "We loved this campground and the view it has of the Teton's. When driving up the gravel road you first come to the Curtis Canyon campground ($10/nightly) but if you continue on the road you will come to the Curtis Canyon dispersed campsites (free)."
What you should know
Weather challenges: Rapid weather changes occur frequently. A camper at Curtis Canyon Dispersed Camping warned, "I am a pretty experienced camper. Never in my LIFE have I been swarmed by this many flies and horse flies. Maybe it was just bad luck but this is insane. Truly could not make it out of my tent and car. SWARMS."
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between sites. A reviewer at Pine Creek Pass noted, "If you google Pine Creek Pass, that will show you how to get there. There's a pull off from the hwy that I've seen people camp at the base. To get into the dispersed camping you'll see the driveway in the corner. Take that. It will take you to a long, narrow bumpy road."
Timing considerations: Sites fill quickly during peak months. "Date 7/1/2025 Tuesday. Arrival time: 4:45P. Sites available 3/10. Camp full by 5:30P," reported a Curtis Canyon visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Food storage options: Bear activity requires proper precautions. At Antelope Springs Designated Dispersed Camping, reviewers noted "bear warnings everywhere" and mentioned shared food lockers at some sites.
Campfire setup: Designated fire rings are common. "There's a wide level space here with a fire pit. Room for several vehicles," noted a Pine Creek Pass camper.
Winter camping preparation: Cold weather camping requires extra gear. One winter visitor at Antelope Springs shared: "I stayed here Dec 20th-21st. Because of season, there was a foot of snow at least. We had to dig out snow at the beginning because a snow plow pushed about 2 feet high. It was about 4°F/20°C that night."
Tips from RVers
Space limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles only. A visitor to Warm Slough explained, "Easily accessible. We camped in our tent, the roads were super easy to drive on. Great water access. Lots of wood for campfires."
Dump station access: Limited facilities exist for waste disposal. South Tourist Park Campground offers "a dump site, fresh water and toilets," according to a recent review.
Site availability tracking: Arrival timing matters significantly. One reviewer at Curtis Canyon Dispersed Camping mentioned, "There are only 16 spots at this site. Several of them are only accessible if you have a 4WD with high clearance. Just get there early, I went at 5 on a Wednesday and all the accessible sites were taken."
