Tent camping near Warren, Idaho offers access to remote wilderness areas at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. Summer days in the region typically reach the 70s-80s Fahrenheit with nighttime temperatures often dropping below 45°F. Most primitive campsites in this area require self-sufficiency as facilities are minimal or non-existent.
What to do
Riverside activities: At Spring Bar Campground, visitors spend time rafting on the nearby river. According to camper Tanny M., "Spent most of the time on the river. Awesome for rafting. Too hot in the summer to be anywhere else."
Mountain biking: The area near Brundage Reservoir Camping Area provides access to mountain biking trails. Franklin R. notes, "We went here for mountain biking (if you go, check out Groupon for the lift) this campground was awesome because it was so close to Brundage resort, and the ski lift up."
Wilderness hiking: Backcountry trails near tent camping areas lead to alpine lakes and mountain views. A visitor to Lick Creek Area mentions, "Lick lake is a 3 mile hike into the wilderness and is gorgeous!" The trail system connects to multiple wilderness areas with varying difficulty levels.
What campers like
Secluded lake sites: Many tent campers appreciate the lakeside camping opportunities. At Granite Lake Camping Area, Christopher R. describes it as "secluded lake camping" and an "awesome place for tent camping and hiking lots of trails to explore."
Low crowds on weekdays: Northwest Passage Campground provides a quiet experience, especially during mid-week stays. One camper explains, "The best time to get a spot is Sunday afternoon or Monday and Tuesday. Towards the weekends most spots are full."
Wildlife viewing: The mountainous terrain around Warren supports diverse wildlife. Cindy N. reports, "The wild life there is abundant. We saw bald eagles, moose, deer and chipmunks" during their stay at Northwest Passage Campground.
What you should know
Access challenges: Many tent camping areas require navigating rough roads. At Brundage Reservoir, camper Ted-Kelli T. describes their experience: "Driving down a pot-holed, dirt road for quite awhile, we found ourselves concerned that we may not find something."
Water sources: Deadman Campground provides water access via a pump near the boat ramp, but most tent sites in the region lack potable water. Annie C. notes, "There is also a water pump by the boat ramp" but reminds campers they are "about a dozen miles from the town of Challis with gas stations and grocery stores."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer months. One camper warns, "One downfall here is the amount of mosquitoes. They are large and thirsty. We came prepared this year with lots of mosquito spray and some thermoscell mosquito deterrent."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Several camping areas feature small beaches suitable for children. At Lick Creek Area, camper Courtney R. mentions, "Lick creek campground has 3 spots. One large one with stock holding. A CTX toilet and fire rings."
Spacing between sites: For families needing privacy, certain campgrounds offer well-separated sites. At Northwest Passage, sites are described as "pretty private with woods separating them" and "There is a beach area for the campers that is perfect for kids to play."
Limited facilities: Most tent sites have minimal infrastructure. Cindy N. explains that at Northwest Passage, "There is a water pump at the entrance of the camp site that you get your water from. There are no hook ups or running water at sites."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Warren cannot accommodate larger RVs. About Granite Lake Camping Area, Christopher R. warns it's "not a great place if you need a RV to go camping."
Cost considerations: Some state park campgrounds charge higher fees for out-of-state visitors. Michael G. reported paying "$62. No hooks. No cell. Because I'm out of state" at Northwest Passage Campground.
Alternative parking: When official campgrounds are full, some areas permit dispersed camping. At Brundage Reservoir, camper sherilyn mentions, "Last year I wasn't able to get a spot near the lake but there is so many places to boondock up there."
