Just half an hour from Interstate 90, Wallace's camping options include the City Park Campground that puts you within walking distance of the historic downtown. Wallace Area State Park has sites spaced far enough apart that you won't hear your neighbors' conversations through the trees. If you prefer more basic camping, the National Forest sites around Wallace have fewer amenities but put you closer to nature. The Wallace Recreation Area maintains good facilities and you can walk straight to hiking trails from your site. Families tend to prefer Wallace County Park Campground for its kid-friendly layout and mountain views. Summer weekends fill up fast in this area, so book early if you can. Most campgrounds require reservations, particularly from Friday to Sunday and on holiday weekends. The camping season runs best from May through September when temperatures stay comfortable. You can camp in winter, but you'll need serious cold-weather gear. While staying here, check out the historic mining sites or ride the Route of the Hiawatha bike trail nearby. The Coeur d'Alene River runs close to several campgrounds and has good trout fishing. Wallace works well as a base for hiking, biking, or just hanging out at camp. Always look up current conditions before heading out as some areas close seasonally. Wallace camping works well for both quick weekend trips and longer outdoor vacations.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$30 - $45 / night
"A beautiful small privately owned campground in the heart of Wallace Idaho. Right next to the city limits brew pub. Awful hook up sites, all very level sites!"
"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. Pet friendly."
"Easy to drive up to. Any vehicle will do. Dirt road to the top where you will find a lovely little lake with 4-5 camp spots surrounding it."
"A bit of a drive off I-90 but well worth the the stop. Multiple campsites right along the lake."
$60 - $70 / night
"The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes is right across the road. The Trail of the Hiawatha is very close. The town of Wallce is definitely worth going as they claim to be the center of the universe."
"By far one of my favorite Mt lake hikes! With great camping at both the lower and upper lakes, I recommend using the trails app to help navigate through the switch backs, and have lots of water!"
"I met some cool Idaho locals that said they’ve been coming here since they were kids!"
"Fantastic access to the river for great fly fishing. Several spots in the trees and several in the more open areas. Vault toilet is to the right as you pull in about 1/8 mile away from pull off."
$40 - $70 / night
"Albert's Landing is a clean, well managed RV campground on the shores of the North Fork of the CDA River near Cataldo, Idaho. "
"We arrived late at night and the campground host met us at the entrance to show us to our site, which was super helpful."
"Was warned a Moose family likes to walk through, but didn’t see them."
"They do have around fifteen RV spots a few small cabins, and a handful of tent spots. The tent spots are around the perimeter of a gazebo that had electric hookup."
$24 - $112 / night
"Private sites in the woods of Idaho. Fish in the creek next to most sites."
"We camped at Bumblebee in July so we could have easy access to the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River."
$26 - $102 / night
"This is a great place to set up camp not very far away from Helena. I had a nice view of the water and saw deer, eagles, and other water birds. It was well maintained, clean, and quiet."
"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-unless you are a professional fly fishing"
Scout30 mile bumpy road with low hanging trees took an hour and a half drive just to get there and the campground was totally full. There was only about 5 spots. The campground is densely wooded with minimal view and access to the lake. Definitely not worth the drive to it. The road gets worse and worse the farther you go and there is pretty much nowhere else to camp if its full.
GuideGreat camping spot with clean sites. Excellent view of the river and very clean facilities. Only thing a ton of trains went by during our stay.
RangerNice campsites in a nice location in the forest. Clean toilets when I stayed. There is nice walking trails nearby.
ScoutI’ve never been so insulted by an employee in my life! The guest service desk is extremely rude and racist. So disappointing that a national park employee would treat a visitor with such disrespect. We will not be coming back due to the workers.
ScoutThe scenery was absolutely beautiful, the spots are super spaced out so no need to worry about hearing anyone or if you bring furry friends! The water was so close and perfect!
GuideNice clean bathrooms, showers, water and electricity. No trees for shade so cloudy weather is ideal.
TravelerThe management team is amazing the site is clean and well maintained. There are shower rooms (4), fire pits by the river, and a walk/bike path that is very scenic. While there is currently some construction activity on the nearby bridge, it's not overly loud.
ScoutNice facilities, including shower. If you can snag one, half the sites back up to a babbling stream that you can listen to all night by keeping your back door or window open.
GuideGreat site with fire ring overlooking lake. Only 3 stars because the area is on an extreme slope. Had to use 4 2x4s to get almost level. There is a spot up from the lake that is level but you lose the nice view.
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.
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!"
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping sites near Wallace, Idaho?
Wallace offers several camping options in the surrounding area. The North Fork Coeur D'Alene River provides beautiful dispersed camping sites along the river, popular with locals and visitors alike. For those seeking backcountry experiences, Stevens Lakes Backcountry offers hike-in sites with pristine mountain views. Additional camping can be found at Bull Run Access, Lake Elsie Campground near Kellogg, and Bumblebee Campground. The region's natural beauty makes it a popular destination, with options ranging from primitive sites to more developed facilities within a short drive of Wallace.
What campgrounds are available in and around Wallace, Idaho?
The Wallace area offers a variety of campground options. Wallace RV Park is centrally located within the town, providing easy access to downtown attractions. Just a short drive away, Bumblebee Campground offers a more natural setting. Other nearby options include Big Creek RV Park near Osburn, By the Way Campground near Pinehurst, and Crystal Gold Mine campground near Kellogg. For those willing to venture slightly further, Farragut State Park provides well-maintained campsites at Snowberry and Gilmore campgrounds on Lake Pend Oreille. The region's mix of private and public campgrounds accommodates various camping preferences and budgets.
What is the Devils Elbow Campground near Wallace, Idaho like?
Devils Elbow Campground is a rustic camping area in the beautiful Coeur d'Alene National Forest near Wallace. The campground offers a more primitive experience compared to developed RV parks in the region. Visitors appreciate its forested setting along the river, providing natural shade and scenic views. The campground typically features basic amenities like pit toilets and fire rings. For those seeking similarly rustic experiences in the area, Bull Run Access Dispersed camping offers riverside spots with existing fire pits. Albert's Landing is another option with a comparable wilderness feel. These sites are generally best for tent camping or smaller campers and are popular during summer months.
Are there RV parks or RV-friendly camping options in Wallace, Idaho?
Wallace and the surrounding area offer several RV-friendly options. Trout Creek Motel & RV Park near the Idaho-Montana border provides convenient amenities including laundry facilities and is close to essential services. Blackwell Island RV Park in Coeur d'Alene offers level, gravel sites with full hookups and waterfront locations. Additionally, Big Creek RV Park near Osburn and Crystal Gold Mine campground accommodate RVs. Many of these parks feature level sites, electrical hookups, and are situated near town amenities. Some parks remain open year-round, though water may be shut off during colder months, so it's advisable to call ahead during off-season visits.
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