Best Dispersed Camping near Sweet, ID

Dispersed camping near Sweet, Idaho centers primarily around the Boise National Forest and nearby reservoirs. Several free camping areas exist along Arrowrock Reservoir, including Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground and Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed. Additional free sites can be found at Mores Creek by Steamboat Gulch and Willow Creek Campground. Most of these primitive sites sit on public land managed by the Forest Service, with some areas providing access to water recreation. The Tripod Reservoir area and Mann Creek Recreation Area offer additional dispersed camping options further north.

Access to many dispersed sites requires travel on unpaved roads, some with challenging conditions. The road to Irish Point features "washboard-bumpy gravel roads along the lake cliffside" requiring slow driving, particularly for those towing trailers. Arrowrock Reservoir sites are reached via "a long dirt/gravel road, with drop offs on one side to the reservoir." Most areas have a 14-day camping limit and minimal amenities. Fire rings exist at some locations, but visitors should check current fire restrictions. No potable water is available at these sites, and toilets are limited to vault facilities where present.

These primitive camping areas provide scenic settings along reservoirs and creeks. Views of Arrowrock Reservoir are particularly noted, with one camper describing it as "a small piece of heaven" with opportunities to "walk or park right on the waters edge." Wildlife viewing and stargazing opportunities exist throughout the region. However, road conditions create challenges for larger vehicles. As one visitor noted about Irish Point, "The road in is all gravel on a steep hillside along the shore and several miles to get in. Many potholes and ruts." Several locations experience seasonal water level changes, with one reviewer mentioning, "In the late season, the water level is usually quite low making it difficult to launch boats."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Sweet, Idaho (17)

    1. Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed

    18 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    35 miles
    Website

    "Where the coordinates are on this map is about 30 minutes down a gravel road that looks ok, but is very rutted."

    "Me and boyfriend enjoy going here in the fall and spring to get away from the city for a day or two. There is hiking right across the street. Mt Heinen which is a very strenous hike."

    2. Tripod Dispersed camping g

    1 Review
    Ola, ID
    25 miles

    "Creeks, lake, and hiking."

    4. Beautiful Boise National Forest

    1 Review
    Crouch, ID
    29 miles

    "It’s next to the river, with little beaches. We are near 4 natural hot springs!! Yes there is a road next to the campsite, but we are down a little slope."

    6. Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

    6 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    35 miles
    Website

    "Pit toilet on site. No boat launch but easy enough for small craft or floaties. Sloped, not much level spots. Nice views and easy bank fishing."

    "The location is absolutely beautiful, a small piece of heaven. There are maybe 10-15 roughly built fire rings, and you can walk or park right on the waters edge."

    7. Oasis Recreation Site

    11 Reviews
    Weiser, OR
    45 miles

    "Not the most scenic of campsites, and it is right next to the road so there was some noice at night, as well as lots of coyote howling. but I appreciated the convenient location, that it's free, and right"

    "It’s right along the Snake River and borders an established campground to the east. There are two picnic tables/fire rings, one on either side of the boat launch."

    8. Boise National Forest Willow Creek Campground (Mountain Home)

    4 Reviews
    Idaho City, ID
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 587-7961

    "This campground is accessible by a long dirt/gravel road, with drop offs on one side to the reservoir. Just be prepared for that and drive safely / don't be jn a hurry."

    "Road to get to Willow Creek was a little rough, about 15 miles on a bumpy dirt road. The camp ground was great. No reservation, first come, no fee."

    9. Mann Creek Recreation Area

    7 Reviews
    Weiser, ID
    42 miles
    Website

    $10 - $15 / night

    "Great place to stop on our drive from CA to ID. The other campground is just a few hundred yards up the road and it is a very park like gorgeous setting with restrooms."

    "There is camping around the reservoir and at the near by campground.  Up past the reservoir there are roads to ride ATV's.  There is not a lot of shade and it gets hot in the summer.  "

    10. Owyhee-Dispersed

    9 Reviews
    Adrian, OR
    47 miles
    Website

    "Was driving thru to seattle from the Midwest. My last stop! Easy to find. No signal and no fires allowed due to BLM land. Was a brisk 12° in mid/late November. A few campers."

    "Parked little below the coordinates and spent the night by the Snively hot springs. Not as gross as the reviews lead on. Very happy with this find."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Sweet, ID

47 Reviews of 17 Sweet Campgrounds


  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Herrick Reservoir Access

    Just ok

    Camping is free, limit of 10 days. Not really any designated sites and surrounded by private land with aggressive signage. Not all roads around the reservoir are public, so be prepared to turn around and back up at dead ends. We came to an orange gate that said "private property", and stopped. While trying to turn around, we noticed a white truck sitting behind us. When we turned around and passed him, he motioned to roll down the window, and then berated us and called us idiots, even though we had not even entered the private land, nor did we want to. We felt threatened. In the end we chose a site on the upper road of the reservoir. The view was nice but not close to the pit toilet. No fire ring. No table. A no frills place. Like many lakes in Idaho, the reservoir is mostly dry. Not a huge deal but not the prettiest to look at. There is only one single pit toilet for the whole reservoir and someone was set up right next to it like it was their own. People ride off-road vehicles here. In an area with slim pickings for free camping, I guess you have to take what you can get.

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Forest Service Campsite FR0215B Dispersed

    Great place, Quiet

    Large open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents.

    Avoid during holidays, people leave tents and rvs for days to keep the spot despite rules and the ranger station will do nothing about it. At those times expect loud parties and even fights or gunfire which the rangers will also do nothing about.

    Other than that its great. Take a right on the highway and head to the sourdough lodge for the best pancakes for hundreds of miles.

    There are many other dispersed and paid spots along the highway.

    Details: Free camping 14 Day limit No tables at campsites Minimal wood to scavenge Town of Lowman is close by No trash, water, or toilets

  • Sadie P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

    Easy drive, Beautiful, avoid on holidays

    Easy to get to, no marked spots, tent or small to mid RV. Pit toilet on site. No boat launch but easy enough for small craft or floaties. Sloped, not much level spots. Nice views and easy bank fishing.

    Details: No site boundaries, easily crowds No trash or water Long drive to services Slow drive in if towing medium or large trailer No tables Minimal rock fire rings Long drive to town, bring plenty of stuff Free stat, 14 day limit, rangers may stop by and say hi, if you’re lucky they’ll clean and restock the toilet. Don’t count on being lucky

  • Tee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2023

    Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed

    Rough road but beautiful location

    Entering the park is beautiful! There’s a paved road with campsites you need a reservation for. Where the coordinates are on this map is about 30 minutes down a gravel road that looks ok, but is very rutted. I drive a cargo van and it shook everything to the point where I didn’t want to do 30 minutes of it. There are signs that say “no roadside camping next 7 miles”, but after mile marker 7, you’ll notice fire rings off the sides of the roads on both sides, including lake front. So I just want to make sure y’all know that you don’t actually have to drive all the way down to the dispersed spots to find camping. Other than that, it’s a gorgeous area. No Verizon service for me.

  • Laura C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2019

    Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed

    Private

    Me and boyfriend enjoy going here in the fall and spring to get away from the city for a day or two. There is hiking right across the street. Mt Heinen which is a very strenous hike. Its over 9 miles(up and back) and over a 3,000 ft gain so be prepared if you try to tackle this summit. Anyways, the campground has some fire pits but no picnic tables. There are a few trees for shade. One part of this campground that confuses me is that there use to be a small outhouse in summer of 2018 but when I came in 2019 in march and April there was not one? When we come in the fall and spring theres no one other than us there. In the summer it does get quite a few people there. Also it gets super hot in the summertime so be sure to bring plenty of water. Good thing is you can take a dip in the cold reservoir to cool off. There's no trash services so pack it in and pack it out. A lot of people come here to party and leave trash around so i make it a point to pick it up. Please don't be those people to ruin a beautiful free spot. 💚

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 28, 2022

    Owyhee-Dispersed

    Amazing views! Sunset to sunrise

    Was driving thru to seattle from the Midwest. My last stop! Easy to find. No signal and no fires allowed due to BLM land. Was a brisk 12° in mid/late November. A few campers. If you have an off road vehicle- it’s great to climb up some hills to find the perfect spot!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2024

    Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

    Beautiful spot, but difficult to get to

    About an hour off the highway, 7 miles of which are washboard-bumpy gravel roads along the lake cliffside (Had to drive under 10mph those last 7 miles). We were in an AWD sprinter van, and the road conditions definitely put a damper on the night. Site is right on the water gorgeous once you’re there. The stars were incredible. Toilet on site but the flies were swarming.

  • Austin L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 16, 2025

    Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

    Great location lots of utv noise and traffic

    The location is absolutely beautiful, a small piece of heaven. There are maybe 10-15 roughly built fire rings, and you can walk or park right on the waters edge. There is a single public use restroom that was in good condition and open in the winter. The only downside is that throughout the night and all day, multiple jeeps and side by sides traveling through to use the restroom and play in the water. They were all respectful though. It is roughly 10 miles of maintained dirt road to reach this site.


Guide to Sweet

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Sweet, Idaho, where nature's tranquility awaits. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and explore.

Scenic Lake Access for Dispersed Campers

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Sweet

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Sweet, Idaho

  • Be prepared for rough roads when visiting Cascade Idaho Dispersed, as access can be challenging but rewarding once you arrive at your site.
  • Always carry enough supplies, as many locations, like South Fork Recreation Area, do not offer amenities such as drinking water or restrooms.
  • Respect the environment by cleaning up after yourself, especially in popular spots like Boise NF Road 82, where visitors have noted issues with litter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Sweet, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Sweet, ID is Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed with a 4.1-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Sweet, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Sweet, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.