Best Dispersed Camping near Troy, ID
Dispersed camping is permitted on several public land areas surrounding Troy, Idaho, primarily in the St. Joe National Forest. Free primitive sites can be found at Horse Camp Trailhead near Potlatch and Saint Joe National Forest Dispersed Camping areas. Additional options include Red Bird Creek Trailhead and several unnamed forest pull-offs accessible via forest service roads. Most sites offer minimal or no amenities, following true dispersed camping regulations where campers must be self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Access routes to these areas vary considerably in quality and maintenance. Horse Camp Trailhead offers both hike-in and walk-in options but has incorrect coordinates listed on some platforms. Saint Joe National Forest Dispersed Camping areas are drive-in accessible for both tents and RVs, though road conditions may require high-clearance vehicles depending on recent weather and maintenance. Donkey Creek Campground provides drive-in and walk-in options with vault toilets but no other amenities. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, with some areas prohibiting fires year-round. Most sites lack drinking water, hookups, and waste disposal facilities.
The primitive camping experience near Troy offers solitude and natural settings away from developed areas. Sites along creeks like Big Creek in Calder provide opportunities for fly fishing and hiking in a serene environment. Horse Camp Trailhead serves as a convenient option for quick overnight trips, though some visitors note traffic noise can be an issue depending on timing. "This is my go-to spot when I just want to get a quick overnight camp in," notes one review, while another mentions, "There are secluded dispersed campsites on Big Creek between the campgrounds... If you're set up for off grid it's definitely worth spending a few days fly fishing or hiking the area."
