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Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access, near Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, is a straightforward spot for those looking to enjoy some free camping without the frills. This area offers a few back-in sites right by the river, making it a decent choice for tent campers and RVs alike, though you should be prepared for a lack of amenities like water and electricity.

Visitors rave about the stargazing opportunities here, with one camper noting, “The stars were SO bright!” The peaceful morning views are also a highlight, perfect for sipping coffee while soaking in the scenery. While the train noise can be a concern for some, many find it manageable, especially if you’re a fan of the outdoors and prefer a more rustic experience.

If you’re in the mood for a soak, you’re just a short drive from the famous hot springs. Plus, the area is great for fishing, with easy access to the river. Just remember to bring your own supplies, as there are no stores nearby. Whether you're looking to kick back with friends or enjoy a quiet night under the stars, this spot has a laid-back vibe that many campers appreciate.

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Location

Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

42.64305288 N
112.00505267 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/17/25

Drive Time

Presented byToyota Trucks

Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/17/25

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Alcohol
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access needs a permit.

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General Info


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Reviews

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34%
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3.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2023

Great Star Gazing Spot!

We almost didn't stay here because of the low reviews due to the train noise but we were in Lava Hot Springs and this was such a short drive up the road. We arrived pretty late and there were still spots available. We found one big enough for our 21ft travel trailer and vehicle. The site was pretty level too, which we appreciated. We stayed in the last one on the upper loop. The stars were SO bright! We've veen traveling for almost a month and stargazing last night was definitely one of my favorite moments. The train did come by before we went to bed. But we didn't hear it the rest of the night. I am a light sleeper but I do sleep with white noise on, so maybe that helped. The morning views were beautiful! Would definitely stay again!

Sitelast one on upper loop
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Wendhy J., August 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Wendhy J., August 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Wendhy J., August 23, 2023
  • (7) View All
Reviewed May. 11, 2023

Nice

Dispersed camping close to hot springs, don't miss the hot springs, thay are awesome.

Siteunknown
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2021

Free camping

Gravel road in to 8 back in spots some with frie pit . No electricity or water. But they do have a pit toilet. Short walk to fishing in the river. Train does run often right in front of site and does blow horn. All hours.

Siteunmarked
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Keith E., November 1, 2021
Reviewed May. 9, 2021

Save your time! Closed!

Needed a place to crash for the night and this place was the closest one. Got to the location only to be blocked by a barrier.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2020

Decent little overnight spot

We liked this spot. We were able to hear other campers, but it wasn’t too bad. What you can hear are the trains. I only heard one through the night. For us though, train noise is preferable to hearing a ton of other campers. This location is right on the river, which was beautiful. You will need some sort of mosquito repellent...

  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Vessa N., August 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Vessa N., August 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Vessa N., August 22, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2020

Nice spot

The roads a little rough for bigger fifth-wheel. Beautiful view, less than five minutes to Lava and much better than paying the crazy prices in the camp grounds.

Reviewed Jun. 9, 2020

Great camping for those who wanna party

When you have a big group and you like to stay up late and have a good time and be loud while at lava hot springs, this is the place for you! There’s a toilet located here, bring your own TP though. The river is fun to jump in and hang out in! The trains come frequently and at times are pretty loud but it doesn’t bother our group. The camping is free and 100% worth it compared to the strict port neuf or koa campgrounds. TONS and TONS of space. It’s never been full when we go. There’s loads and loads of space. It’s only about 2 miles away from town so if you need to go to the bathroom, go to the store, or shop around or eat at a restaurant, it’s not far away at all! Our two dogs love all the free space as well! There isn’t much shade but there are shrubs all around near the river. So bring your shade tents!

  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Taylor R., June 9, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2019

Just the way I like it

Those of you that are traveling koas are the best for you I hate koa campin that is for wimps getting your ass out In a tent now is real camping

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

Primitive Camping by the River

This is a decent dispersed camping area that has spots scattered along the river.  The only amenities here are the vault toilet and the great fishing.  There were also stone fire rings at all of the sites.  Some interesting placards about the area and wildlife were the only other developed thing and like said below it is very close to the train tracks.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Alan B., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Alan B., July 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Alan B., July 31, 2019
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jun. 25, 2019

Free Camping, No Luxuries

This free campground has about 10 sites to choose from, mostly RV but occasionally tent camping. There is a bathroom, no luxury showers or a store to buy firewood or items. It’s about a 10min or less drive to Lava Hot Springs in case you need supply. This campground is right next to the river, has a small waterfall and beautiful scenery all around. The road is extremely bumpy so if your have a low car or trailer be careful. The pros of this is its free. 1st come 1st serve, nice, quiet area. The cons, no shower, hook ups, store and the train that runs by Lava Hot Springs can be heard.

  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Shani C., June 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Shani C., June 25, 2019
  • Review photo of Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access by Shani C., June 25, 2019
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access located?

Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access is located just a short drive from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho - approximately 10 minutes or less by car. The campground sits directly alongside the Portneuf River, offering river access and scenic views. The location provides a convenient base for visitors wanting to enjoy both the natural riverside setting and easy access to the amenities and hot springs in the nearby town of Lava Hot Springs.

What fishing opportunities are available near Lava Hot Springs?

The Portneuf River offers excellent fishing opportunities right at the Lower Sportsman Access campground. The sites are scattered along the riverbank, providing direct access to fishing. The river is noted for its good fishing conditions, and many campers appreciate being able to fish just steps from their campsite. For those staying at the campground, it's a short walk to access the river for fishing activities.

Is there free camping near Lava Hot Springs?

Yes, Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access offers free camping near Lava Hot Springs. This dispersed camping area has approximately 10 sites available and is a much more economical option compared to the paid campgrounds in Lava Hot Springs itself, which can be quite expensive. The location is less than five minutes from town, making it a convenient base for enjoying the hot springs while saving on accommodation costs.

Can I go dispersed camping with my truck near Lava Hot Springs?

Yes, truck camping is well-suited for the Portneuf River Lower Sportsman Access. The area offers dispersed camping with about 10 sites, many of which accommodate vehicles. While the access road can be a bit rough, especially for larger rigs, standard trucks should have no issues. Sites have stone fire rings, and some spots are large enough to fit a vehicle plus a small trailer. Note that the only amenity is a vault toilet (bring your own toilet paper), so come prepared for self-sufficient camping.