Map showing campground location near Irwin, Idaho

Camper submitted image from Riverside Park Campground

Riverside Park Campground

With first-come, first-served sites and full RV hookups available for rigs up to 50 feet, Riverside Park Campground sits at the base of Palisades Dam along the Snake River in Targhee National Forest. The campground operates on a 14-day stay limit and charges $20 per night for standard sites, with some double sites available for $40.

The layout divides into two distinct areas. Upper sites near the road provide electric and water hookups but resemble "basically a big parking lot for RVs," as one camper noted. Lower sites offer more privacy tucked between mature trees and direct river access, making them popular with anglers. All sites include fire pits, picnic tables, and metal platforms on level gravel and dirt pads. A boat ramp sits directly across the road from the campground.

Campground hosts maintain vault toilets that reviewers consistently describe as exceptionally clean. Bear boxes provide food storage at most sites, and potable water and firewood are available for purchase. The dump station requires proof of campground registration or charges a $5 fee. Moths can be numerous in the evening hours, particularly around white vehicles and food preparation areas.

Alivia M. appreciated snagging "a great site tucked between huge trees" in the lower section. While the campground lacks internal trails, several trailheads operate nearby for those seeking hiking opportunities beyond the immediate fishing access.

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Location

Public Campground

Riverside Park Campground is located in Idaho

Coordinates

43.34008791 N
111.20505628 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 23 users
Last on 3/23/26
VerizonLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 13 users
Last on 3/23/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 3/23/26

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 23 users
Last on 3/23/26
VerizonLTE
Good Coverage
Verified by 13 users
Last on 3/23/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 3/23/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

56 min from Idaho Falls, ID
1 hr 39 min from Pocatello, ID
2 hrs 54 min from Logan, UT
3 hrs 12 min from Ogden, UT

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the pristine facilities, helpful hosts, and scenic river locations as standout features. Several guests observed level sites and peaceful atmosphere despite road proximity. Most found excellent value at this first-come campground.

Carl S.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2025

Riverfront spot

This was perfect. I got a spot right on the bank of the Snake River. It has all the basics.. a picnic table, fire ring, most sites also have bear boxes for food storage; there are vault toilets, firewood for sale, and potable water available.

$20/ night for sites, $40 for some sites that are double tables/parking.

I didn’t have any neighbors, and I would guess maybe only a quarter of the sites were occupied. In the evening it did get a little annoying with lots of moth‘s flying everywhere. They seem to like to land on my white truck and I had to cover my food while I cooked, and kept the tent closed. Not a big deal, but they were noticeable.

While not this campground per se I thought it’s worth mentioning that just across the river there are also a large number of free dispersed campsites, some right on the river, some along the road as you travel away from the river. To get to the bridge you still take the Riverside Campground exit off the highway below the damn. Pass the campground cross the bridge and you’ll see them on your right for about a mile. I didn’t stay there. It looks like they have firings and nothing else but they’re free and plentiful.

Site22

Month of VisitAugust

Pamela M.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 15, 2025

Great location; very clean

We pulled in late at night and grabbed a spot. This campground is on the first come, first serve basis. The campground host, who visited us upon arrival was extremely helpful and allowed us to move closer to the river. Our second site had a fabulous view of the river. The campground hosts are accommodating, friendly, and keep this campground in pristine condition. The toilets are spotless. A very beautiful and comfortable stay

Site31 and 21

Month of VisitJune

Alivia M.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2022

Small basic campground

This campground was quaint and small. The hosts were amazing and the pit toilets were the cleanest I have ever seen! We were redirected to this campground from Teton canyon due to aggressive bear activity and we were traveling with a soft side pop up trailer.
The site was further from the Tetons and mountains than we wanted. The sites were outside a reservoir directly on the river. There is an upper area closer to the road with electric and water. But it was basically a big parking lot for rvs. Down below We snagged a great site tucked between huge trees. It had a fire pit, picnic table, level tent site as well as an oversized parking spot that was easy to level the trailer.

Site23

Month of VisitJune

Brad F.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 8, 2021

Nice trailer campsite by the river/dam

Great campsites next to the river with great views. Wish they had water hookups is my only complaint.

Site15

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 6, 2020

Perfect spot

Riverside Park Campground, Irwin, Idaho

In Caribou-Targhee NF/Palisades Wilderness near Bridger- Teton NF. This is a first come , no reservation campground, at the foot of Palisades Dam on Snake River. We arrived around 2 pm and the sites were mostly empty. Several others arrived around 6 pm. This is a good campground for fishermen/women, the lower sites are right on the river. There is a boat ramp right across the road. There is paddle information near the boat ramp also. The only electric sites are on the upper half. The rest are basic sites. All have fire pits, picnic tables and a multi purpose metal platform. Gravel/dirt pads that are level. There are several pit toilets and dumpsters throughout . No trails , but there are several trailheads nearby. Other then fishing there is not much else to do at this campground, however it would be a good starting off point for hiking adventures. You can not leave your camper/tent overnight, unattended.

(17) View All

Jessica K.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2019

Oasis below the dam

Nice little place. Stay limit is 14 days. They have pull through electric sites, Several non-electric back in sites, and a few sites next to the Snake River. If you want to dump at the dump site, make sure you have your paper to prove you are or did stay at the park or they will charge you $5 to dump your black tank. They will also charge for filling fresh water if you don’t have your paid site stub.

Danielle O.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018

Good quiet spot

The bathrooms here are very well maintained and it was very quiet. The park was entirely campers and RVs, so our tent seemed out of place. The sites are close to the road, but it stayed pretty quiet and we could hear the river.

Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Riverside Park Campground located in Idaho?

Riverside Park Campground is located in Irwin, Idaho, nestled in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest near the Palisades Wilderness area. It sits at the foot of Palisades Dam on the Snake River, offering scenic riverside camping. The campground is also conveniently positioned near Bridger-Teton National Forest, making it an excellent base for exploring multiple natural areas in eastern Idaho.

What amenities are available at Riverside Park Campground?

Riverside Park Campground offers pull-through electric sites, non-electric back-in sites, and premium sites directly next to the Snake River. Amenities include clean vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, bear boxes for food storage, and potable water. Firewood is available for purchase on-site. The campground has a dump station (fee applies for non-campers). The nightly fee is $20 for standard sites and $40 for premium riverside locations.

How close is Riverside Park Campground to Palisades Reservoir?

Riverside Park Campground is located at the foot of Palisades Dam, placing it extremely close to Palisades Reservoir. The campground sits right on the Snake River just downstream from the dam that forms the reservoir. This prime location provides easy access for fishing, boating, and other water activities on both the river and the reservoir.

What do visitor reviews say about Riverside Park Campground?

Campers consistently praise Riverside Park Campground for its stunning riverside sites with excellent views of the Snake River. The campground hosts are frequently mentioned as being helpful and accommodating. Facilities, particularly the vault toilets, are noted for being exceptionally clean and well-maintained. The atmosphere is described as quiet and peaceful. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with a 14-day stay limit. Some campers note that while the sites are perfect for RVs, tent campers may feel less common here. The only common suggestion for improvement is the addition of water hookups.

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