Tent camping near Nampa, Idaho offers opportunities for outdoor recreation within short driving distances. Sites range from dispersed locations along the Snake River to established campgrounds in higher elevation forests. Summer temperatures in this region can reach above 90°F at lower elevations, with cooler conditions found at forest campgrounds like Shafer Butte where nighttime temperatures can drop below 50°F even in summer months.
What to do
Fishing from shore or kayak: At Swan Falls - Idaho Power, anglers target smallmouth bass along the Snake River. "Fishing was awesome. I caught quite a few smallies, but they were on the smaller side. Still fun to catch," reports one camper. The dam creates good fishing conditions, and the area has "great fishing spots" according to another visitor.
Explore historic sites: The Silver City Campground offers a unique opportunity to camp near a preserved mining town with buildings dating to the 1890s. A visitor notes, "Check out the cemetery and the mine shafts behind the church. All the streets are public land so you can wander around, just don't stare into people's windows."
Hiking and biking: At Caldwell Campground and RV Park, campers can access "The Greenbelt," a 3-mile paved path directly from the campground. "It crosses an old train bridge and then runs along the water," according to one review. The path provides an easy outing suitable for families with children.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The dispersed camping areas along Owyhee River - Below Dam offer excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "Lots of great spots as you river along the river, not necessarily the coordinates provided here. Epic fishing," notes one visitor who enjoyed both the fishing and remote setting.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. A camper at Swan Falls mentioned enjoying "watching the birds of prey and the scenic canyon views," while others report seeing rabbits, deer, and coyotes in the area. At Caldwell Campground, visitors enjoy "entertaining ducks that do not beg for food" on the small lake.
Solitude at dispersed sites: For those seeking privacy, Succor Creek Reservoir Dispersed Camping delivers true isolation. "If you are a desert rat like myself, who loves to get AWAY FROM ALL, You will be very pleased! This is very private. You will most likely have the place to yourself," reports one camper.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to some sites requires careful driving. At Succor Creek, "if you're just curious and have a high clearance vehicle and the ground is dry, you'll do just fine." For Silver City, "the drive back there takes a little while and the roads are narrow." At Swan Falls, the road is "bumpy" but passable by "a front wheel drive sedan" in dry conditions.
Seasonal considerations: Most dispersed camping areas have no shade, making summer camping challenging. "Very hot with little to no shade" is how one camper described Swan Falls. Higher elevation sites like Shafer Butte offer cooler temperatures but have shorter seasons, typically operating "from June 15 to September 30."
Facilities are limited: Most dispersed sites have no drinking water or toilets. Even at established campgrounds, facilities may be basic. Campers should bring all necessary supplies, including water. At Shafer Butte, visitors noted they "were dirtier than usual since there was no running water" and "it had no firewood for sale, so we hauled ours up."
Tips for camping with families
Flat, open campgrounds work best: Shafer Butte is "perfect place to teach young ones the joy of camping; campground is open, mostly flat and easy to keep your eyes the tykes," according to one experienced camper. The layout provides good visibility for parents monitoring children.
Consider sites with amenities: For families wanting more facilities, Caldwell Campground offers "grassy spots right on the fishing pond for tent campers" along with "clean, secure" bathrooms and showers. One camper noted it "feels like living outside of town but still close to everything town offers."
Early season awareness: If camping in early summer at higher elevations, be prepared for overgrowth and cooler temperatures. A family visiting Shafer Butte reported, "We came here the first weekend of the summer it was open, so it was definitely cold. Our campsite hadn't been used since fall, so it was pretty overgrown when we got there."
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions apply: Swan Falls accommodates smaller RVs, with one camper noting "RV should be smaller than 27'. We have a 27' Travel Trailer pulled with an extended long bed Chevy Silverado. We were able to get into the last or furthest campsite up stream." The steep grade requires "your vehicle is powerful enough to pull your rig back up."
Full hookup options: For RVers seeking full services near Nampa, Caldwell Campground offers "pull-thrus with full hookups. A little slice of grass separates each RV." The campground includes laundry facilities and WiFi that "was good and seemed to reach throughout the park."
