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."

Best Tent Sites Near Wallace, Idaho (43)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Wallace, ID

567 Reviews of 43 Wallace Campgrounds


  • F
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Bull River Campground

    Beautiful but the State of Montana has mismanaged to the point of absurdity

    This used to be a great place to camp, especially at the Pavilion. However, two recent camping trips were not so great. There is no water, even though there are cisterns everywhere. There is no trash pickup. Restrooms are visited and "cleaned", but there is no evidence that anything was done. There are still tons of bugs and webs. I think they just replace the TP. Last visit was at the Pavilion with a men's campout with around 20 individuals. No trash containers, no bear boxes, and no water. We brought 250 gallons of water with us and pulled up to where the fire pit was, so it would be close to the fire for safety and convenience. The day after we left the site, a ranger called and accused us of "off-roading" and not placing our food in the non-existent bear boxes. We weren't "cited," but the temperament of the management is that they want you to pay the same price for camping without a host, water, trash, bear boxes, or clean restrooms. If you wish to dry camp, there are plenty of spaces, but it is definitely dry camping. Beautiful campground with severe management issues, all blamed on"lack of funding".

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Marten Creek Campground

    Next best thing to a cabin on the lake

    A 9 mile drive over paved mostly straight even and the last couple miles on smooth dirt road. Clean vault toilets with scattered sites in the forest. Due to the foliage, the sites feel quite isolated. There is also a boat ramp and bear boxes at each site, along with picnic tables, fire rings, and a number of covered eating areas. You are only a few feet above the lake level, so walking to the lake's edge in the morning is they most calming relaxation. No fees and a 14-day limit make this a most delightful stopover.

  • Nicole B.
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Hawleys Landing Campground — Heyburn State Park

    Great Campground but loud maintenance

    We stayed at Chatcolet campground for two nights in late June. The campground is really nice with lovely hosts and clean flushable toilets. We booked site 128 and didn’t realise it was a tent only site with a short walk from where you park to the picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. We have a rooftop tent so we parked and set up our tent and then just carried our chairs, food and wood down to the picnic table. Privacy on these sites isn’t the best, I would recommend booking this site along with 129 as a group site to give yourself good privacy.

    Overall this campground was great, the toilets were clean, they are porcelain, flushing toilets inside a hut. There was drinking water and some nice walks to the lake, if you have bicycles there is a really nice cycle that you can do. The reason for rating this 3 out of 5 is that there was very noisy and intrusive maintenance going on from 7am to 5pm in the sites next to us which was very disruptive. No warning had been given about maintenance in the campground, notice was only given regarding roadworks leading into the campground.

  • Matthew S.
    Aug. 8, 2022

    Copper King

    Great little spot to relax

    This is a free campground. There are five sites with generous spacing. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a privy and one bear box in the middle of the circle. This campground doesn't really accommodate large RVs, but it's great for tent camping. Although it sits along the river, it doesn't really have great river access. The campground is no more than 10 minutes from Thompson falls, so it's easy to get to town if you need to.

  • C
    Oct. 29, 2019

    Scotchmans Peak

    Steep but rewarding!

    Talk about a hike! This is a pretty steep trek, with rewarding views at the top. Be sure to read trail reports and weather reports before heading out. North Idaho weather can be pretty finicky, especially at high elevations. Make sure to be aware of wildlife as well! Scotchman's is known for mountain goat sightings, but as they become more accustomed to people they can be a little aggressive. Keep a safe distance!

  • Kandi R.
    May. 23, 2023

    Little Joe Campground - Lolo National Forest

    Lots of trees

    Sites Right along the river. A few sites are in a cul de sac style and would be great for group camping. The other two are fairly secluded. No water. No garbage. There is a Vaulted toilet. Each site has fire ring and a picnic table.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Bumblebee Campground

    Not much to praise

    Coeur d’Alene River Road has SO many places to boondocks and camp, I wouldn’t waste our money on this campground again. The pit toilets were clean and the fire rings and picnic tables were in good shape, hence the two stars. Lots of wasps. No water. Nothing to do within walking distance. Find a boondock spot and save the $28.00

  • Katherine B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Isabella Landing Camp

    Simple but pretty

    More of a primitive type of campground, although there are vault toilets. Plenty of spaces along the river; however there is a river take out that may be used to back trailers up to, so the flat spots across from it may not be ideal.

  • Dave S.
    Aug. 6, 2020

    Bull River Campground

    Average USFS pay campground

    2020 cost is $16 + $8 extra car, half off with Federal parks pass, & it's average for a Forest Service pay campground. There's water, & you can fill a holding tank, but no power or dump. The lower loops are very close together & less shade. The upper loop has more shade, bigger sites, but sound rises from below. You can hear the conversations and generators of your lower neighbors. Our site was next to a vault toilet - we could smell it. There was lots of noise, e.g., road, train, barking dogs, etc. The 2020 camp hosts were very intrusive. They stopped us in the middle of the road while they inspected our front license plate (we aren't required to have one), then interrogated us, without masks, about where we were from, what we were doing & how many dogs we had. We have a nice RV and look like average middle class folks. Maybe it was because we were in a Class B Van, but our van cost more than most class As. This is a self-pay campground so unless I need firewood I don't need to be forced to stop & be questioned by a volunteer. While we drove through looking at sites one host tailed us on foot through the CG. Five minutes after we began to set up they showed up, not wearing masks, wanting money. I didn't think volunteers were supposed to handle any money. We'd already paid at the iron ranger pay station & they seemed disappointed to not get the money directly from us. Then, within a minute, they returned, not wearing masks, & fussed because we hadn't gotten the tag on our campsite post yet - we were still setting up & hadn't had time yet. They weren't social distancing & we thought they were very peculiar and intimidating.


Guide to Wallace

Nestled in the scenic beauty of Idaho, tent camping near Wallace offers a perfect escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for Tent Camping Near Wallace

  • For a truly immersive experience, consider staying at Lake Elsie Campground, where you can enjoy a peaceful lakeside setting and the freedom to have campfires.
  • Be prepared for a rugged drive to Breakwater Campground, which offers a primitive camping experience with no amenities, making it ideal for those looking to disconnect.
  • If you're seeking a quieter spot, Marble Creek Campground is known for its stunning views and access to nearby rivers and caves, perfect for exploration.

Local Activities for Adventurous Campers

  • At Packsaddle Campground, you can hike local trails and enjoy the beautiful scenery, making it a great base for outdoor adventures.
  • For dirt biking enthusiasts, Breakwater Campground serves as an excellent starting point for accessing nearby trails.
  • Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular activities at Lake Elsie Campground, where the calm waters provide a perfect setting for water sports.

Unique Attractions Near Wallace

  • The enchanting Marble Creek area, accessible from Marble Creek Campground, features beautiful rock formations and fishing opportunities.
  • Explore the nearby St. Joe River, which is just a short drive from Packsaddle Campground, offering excellent spots for fishing and floating.
  • Don't miss the chance to visit the old man-made cave near Marble Creek Campground, a unique feature that adds to the area's charm and adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wallace, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wallace, ID is Lake Elsie Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Wallace, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 43 tent camping locations near Wallace, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.