Best Tent Camping near Wallace, ID
Tent campgrounds around Wallace, Idaho provide access to secluded mountain environments in the Panhandle region of northern Idaho. Lake Elsie Campground offers tent sites approximately 8 miles off I-90 down a narrow dirt road, while other nearby options include Telichpah Campground and Packsaddle Campground within the surrounding national forests. These primitive tent locations are typically situated along creeks, alpine lakes, or forest clearings with limited development.
Access to tent camping areas requires careful planning, as many sites are reached via rough forest roads unsuitable for low-clearance vehicles. The road to Lake Elsie is particularly challenging, with reviews noting it is "narrow, windy, and steep" and "not at all trailer friendly." Most tent sites feature only basic amenities like fire rings, though some areas such as Lake Elsie and Breakwater Campground include vault toilets. Campers must pack in all water and supplies, as drinking water is not available at these primitive tent locations. Seasonal considerations affect accessibility, with several campgrounds typically open from May through October, and snow sometimes blocking higher-elevation access until mid-June.
The surrounding national forest tent sites provide excellent fishing opportunities and access to hiking trails. Lake Elsie offers tent camping directly adjacent to an alpine lake with good fishing and paddling options. The remote nature of these tent campsites means visitors often encounter wildlife, including bears, which frequent several campgrounds. One camper at Lake Elsie advised: "Multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart." Tent campers should bring bear-resistant containers for food storage, as designated bear boxes are limited in the area. Sites along the Coeur d'Alene River provide walk-in tent options with creek access, though campers note these offer "0 amenities. It's just a place to pitch a tent and have a fire."





