Camping near Wallace, Idaho offers a unique blend of recreational opportunities within the Silver Valley region of northern Idaho. The area sits at elevations between 2,700 and 5,000 feet along the Coeur d'Alene River drainage, with most campsites nestled among dense fir forests. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during day and drop to 45-55°F at night, making evenings cool even in July and August.
What to do
Fishing the North Fork: The Coeur d'Alene River provides excellent trout fishing opportunities. At Devils Elbow, fishing spots are steps from campsites. According to David G., "Great fishing steps away, but catch the catch and release west slope cutthroat aren't so easy to catch as a recent article in American Fly Fishing magazine suggests."
Mountain biking: Numerous trails throughout the area accommodate different skill levels. Explore routes near Lake Elsie Campground where camper Nathan M. notes, "Good place if you like to ride your toys. You'll want to bring good cars because the road gets pretty primitive. Awesome lake for kayaking and paddle boarding."
Mine tours: Learn about the area's mining history at Crystal Gold Mine. A camper shared, "The 40 minutes tour of the mine is awesome!! And, it comes with an opportunity to pan for gold and gems. Don't count on striking it rich with gold but you will certainly leave entertained and with a great bit of mining education!"
What campers like
Riverside sites: Many campgrounds feature water access. At Albert's Landing, camper Jennifer H. appreciates "nearly 1000' of river frontage" and adds, "We backed right above the creek. With the windows open I could hear it babbling all night. Pure bliss."
Historic downtown access: Wallace RV Park puts campers within walking distance of Wallace's historic district. Elizabeth S. notes it's a "Great spot to stay especially if you're visiting Wallace for a festival or stopover. Within walking distance to charming downtown. Very friendly staff. Some spots border a small river."
Alpine lake settings: Higher elevation camping offers cooler temperatures and pristine mountain lakes. Russell M. describes Lake Elsie Campground as "roughly 11 miles from where the asphalt ends is this little hidden gem. Narrow road up to the lake but definitely worth it. Tons of riding trails and a quiet campground."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require driving on rough forest roads. Samuel H. warns about Lake Elsie: "The road up is rough, potholes, it does get better about halfway up. Expect at least 30 minutes to get up after you hit the gravel, and that's pushing it pretty hard."
Wildlife awareness: Bears frequent some camping areas. Natalie J. cautions, "Multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart."
Seasonal limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Wallace have restricted access in winter months. Mo M. reports about Bumblebee Campground: "Planned to take a nights rest here on my way to Oregon, and was unpleasantly surprised that it was closed. The visit was in early November."
Crowding issues: Popular sites fill quickly during summer weekends. Karen observed at Bumblebee Campground, "People were parked everywhere (in all the designated spots and everywhere in between) and there were multiple groups playing music. Might be a place you could stop mid-week though I would guess it stays fairly busy all summer."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreation-friendly layouts: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with amenities like swimming areas. Joe B. found By the Way Campground "great for one night stay. It was very last minute but they had a tent spot available. The tent spots are around the perimeter of a gazebo that had electric hookup."
Consider noise levels: Highway-adjacent sites can be loud. BoGwen J. warns about By the Way Campground: "You're right next to freeway very noisy. The AC couldn't drown out the traffic noise. Wore earplugs."
Choose sites with easy water access: Kids appreciate places to splash and play. Sterling C. recommends Wallace RV Park because "This site provides everything you'll need. It can support both tent and RV camping. The sight also provides showers for long stays. The site is right next to town as well, so you can walk there to spend your time."
Tips from RVers
Level sites matter: Many RVers praise sites that don't require extensive setup. Kelly N. describes Wallace RV Park as having "Awful hook up sites, all very level sites! We did not have reservations and although the park was pretty full they were very accommodating and letting us use one of the smaller sites for our RV."
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer full hookups for RVers. A reviewer at Albert's Landing mentions "The campground offers 60+ sites with water & 30/50 amp service, level gravel pads, picnic tables, and fire rings."
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have restricted access for larger rigs. Lili G. warns about Lake Elsie Campground: "ROAD IS NARROW, WINDY, AND STEEP. not at all trailer or big rig friendly."
