Best Dispersed Camping in Idaho

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Idaho

370 Reviews of 176 Idaho Campgrounds

• 

  JJ D.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 14, 2024

  Fish Creek Dispersed Camp

  Free

  Free dispersed camping location about 45 minutes from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Open camping area to set up.

• 

  The Wandering Shores ..

  Guide

  

  Oct. 3, 2022

  Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

  Video Review Now Available

  In this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3. All locations are in the Sawtooth National Forest and there is a 10 day stay limit between May 1- September 15th with an unlimited stay limited outside of that time period. 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WWH8Vb49Ow&t=531s

• 

  Annie C.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 1, 2019

  Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

  Dispersed with vault toilet

  If you show up to Redfish Lake on a busy weekend and all of the campgrounds are reserved/full, no worries. There is a bunch of free dispersed camping all along highway 75. A quick stop at the Forest Service Office down the road and I had a pretty good map of the forest roads in the area, but more importantly, a tip about free camping a stone’s throw away from Redfish Lake and Sunny Gulch campground. The road in is a bit rough with ruts and rocks, but there are several established sites with fire rings. There was a loop to the right with about 8 such sites and a loop to the right with about 5 sites as well as one that was hidden behind the site I chose that you had to walk in to(it was actually a nicer site than the one I chose, but I was tired and set up before I saw it on my explorations. There was one vault toilet that was not especially clean, but free is free, and if you really wanted to, you could walk less than a quarter mile across to the developed Sunny Gulch campground. There are no picnic tables or grills or tent pads, but definitely stone fire rings at each site so no worries as long as you brought your own camp chair. If you need a shower, head into Redfish Lake to use the public pay showers there.

• 

  Leslie W.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 17, 2024

  City of Rocks Dispersed

  City of Rocks BLM dispersed camping

  Basic BLM land, dispersed camping about 2mi outside the City of Rocks on the Bread Loaves side, perfect for rock climbers. At least 3 rock fire pits spaced out for several different groups with plenty of room and flat areas for tents. Appears to be a similar area on the other side of the road too

• 

  Mike E.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 24, 2021

  Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site

  Good stop over

  This is BLM land. Black canyon is also used for ATVs during the summer months so there is that type of traffic i and users present. We are visiting just before Thanksgiving in November and it's quite quiet here I will add more detail after staying a couple of nights.

• 

  Kimberly M.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 11, 2023

  Bootjack Dispersed Camping

  Wrong coordinates

  This site does not exist. You can find the correct coordinates if you look at the other dispersed camping spot right beside this pin (see photo)

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 28, 2024

  BLM Skull Canyon Road Dispersed

  Dispersed Camping in a Canyon

  Coordinartes: 44.16547,-112.90392. Beautiful views. Large dirt and gravel site, right along side to Skull Canyon Road, about a mile from ID Hwy 28. Canyon walls on each side. Rough narrow rocky track to the site from the highway; recommend high clearance. High humps on this track. Small rock fire ring. Grass and sagebrush all around site. Some leveling may be required. Tent camping possible. Very peaceful; can hardly hear road noise from highway. The only vehicle that drove by was a national forest truck. No cell service. There are several boondocking sites, some with vault toilets nearby, along Hwy 28 in the Birch Creek Recreation Area.

• 

  Ben H.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 25, 2020

  Dispersed Camping

  Convenient dispersed camping

  This is a dispersed camp spot with no services at all, but it is free. Nice and quiet, but a few folks did pass by in the dirt road/trail. The road in is a bit bumpy, but not terrible, just go slow. I was able to get my 30ft dual axel travel trailer in without much trouble. The spot could fit 3/4 rigs or 5-6 tents. Great view of the night sky.

• 

  Traildog A.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 2, 2023

  Targhee Creek

  Great dispersed camp spot near Yellowstone

  Great dispersed camp area . Rugged 2 track with established ( flat clearing with rock fire ring) camp spots on both sides. We camped at the very end of the track, about 2 miles in, on the edge of a beautiful rushing stream. Site was level and had a bear box , very peaceful. Other sites were occupied on the way in, area was clean ( no trash) and there was a large group area and trail head just before the end. Area is about 9 miles from the West Yellowstone Park gate. No facilities/ dispersed, so be prepared to pack in/ pack out.

• 

  Sadie P.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 24, 2025

  Forest Service Campsite FR0215B Dispersed

  Great place, Quiet

  Large open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents.

  Avoid during holidays, people leave tents and rvs for days to keep the spot despite rules and the ranger station will do nothing about it. At those times expect loud parties and eve fights and gunfire which the rangers will also do nothing about.

  Other than that its great. Take a right on the highway and head to the sourdough lodge for the best pancakes for hundreds of miles.

  There are many other dispersed snd paid spots along the highway.

  Details: Free camping 14 Day limit No tables at campsites Minimal wood to scavenge Town of Lowman is close by No trash, water, or toilets

• 

  Cheyenne P.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 30, 2020

  Upper Payette Lake Dispersed Camping Area

  Beautiful Spot!

  There are some seriously beautiful spots to camp here. Another review says that it’s $10 to camp, but that is in the actual campground. Instead of turning right to get into the campground, keep driving straight and you will find the dispersed camping. Perfectly secluded and beautiful views of the water.

• 

  CY Park 장.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 11, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Free, or Luxurious???

  Wonderful place for free camping, even better than some dirt but with 20bucks over....

• m

  mitch C.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 6, 2022

  Irish Point Dispersed Camp Ground

  Awesome reservoir

  Free camping among the sparsely located pine trees. Great views of the water and mountains. Vault toilet nearby.

• 

  Amber R.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 19, 2022

  Little Camas Reservoir

  A pleasant place for a stop along the way

  Perfect for an overnight stop during a long drive. The access road also serves residential property some distance away so is well maintained. The primitive camping spots are close enough to the highway to make it a quick drive but far enough away to buffer most noise from passing traffic. Even though the landscape seems sparse there was very active wildlife during our stay, with many species of birds throughout the night and a chorus of coyotes at one point. The water level was really low, which would probably inhibit launching larger water craft, but the reservoir still provided a peaceful atmosphere. There definitely isn't any nearby wood for fires so people do need to bring in their own.

• 

  Jess G.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 4, 2019

  Rose Lake

  Boat access

  Nice little loop camp ground, 3 sites that were pretty spacious all include a fire ring and picnic table. Free camping for up to 3 days. Right on the lake! Nice dock to go out to fish on as well. 1 vault toilet. Nice big parking lot for boats and trailers! Right off of i90.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 31, 2024

  Corral Creek Designated Dispersed

  Large dispersed site near creek

  Free designated dispersed campsite along Sawtooth Nation Forest Road 137. Camped here at the end of September 2024. Very large designated dispersed site set downhill from the forest road; no issues with dust from this road. The area is level. May be able to park 3 rigs. Tent camping is possible back from the parking area toward the metal firering. This area can accommodate 3 or 4 tents, or one big hot tent. Corral Creek is just down a short path from the campsite. The sound of the creek can be heard at the site. Very quiet area. Mountains on either side of the site. The parking area is dirt and gravel. The "tent" area is grass and dirt. Don't see opportunities for hammock camping. No cell service. No shade; solar recharging and Starlink possible. 3 day limit. Hiking trailheads and vault toilet at the end of the forest road.

• 

  arden A.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 6, 2024

  Antelope Creek

  Beautiful view of sun valley

  Nice dispersed camping for the prepared person :)

• 

  Mike E.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 3, 2021

  North Fork Big Wood River dispersed #5

  Wooded forest experience

  Dispersed camping just north of Sun Valley. This Forest Road is popular being so close to town, but if you venture 3 to 4 miles in it's very quiet and peaceful. Lots of great hiking at the to trailheads near this campsite. We enjoyed all of the trees around our campsite and the North Fork of the Big Wood River with the sound of churning water. No cell service here. You're in a valley without a lot A visibility far out to the weather. Therefore, weather can change on you rapidly and Strongly. Be prepared.

• S

  Syndy Z.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 15, 2022

  Targhee Creek

  Rough road and nice views

  Road is a bit rough, but a few sites available for dispersed camping

• 

  Greg L.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 28, 2023

  Iron Creek Camp on Forest Road 619

  Designated Dispersed 2023

  This area along lower Iron Creek Road had some rough free dispersed spots that had cell signal from Stanley. As of June 2023 there are info boards and signage that notes dispersed camping only in designated spots marked on the ground with new signs. I saw an A group and a B group and may be more farther up but the road was so rough washboard potholed I did not check. These sites are small and not suitable for RVs and large TTs in my opinion. No toilets, no dumpsters and no water. However, this is very close to Stanley town.

• 

  Syd S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 13, 2023

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Great spot

  Excellent dispersed camping nice spaced out spots. Can hike along the river. Overall really liked this spot

• 

  Daniel

  Guide

  

  Aug. 21, 2021

  Rose Lake

  Bad Timing?

  Packed up and left due to a belligerent and homeless vagrant. Small, beautiful lake. Uneven, rocky dispersed camping areas.

• C

  Claire G.

  Traveler

  

  May. 25, 2024

  Henry's Lake Boat Ramp

  Free lakeside camping, beautiful views

  I got there early afternoon and every spot along the lake that I could see was available for both campers and tents. Gorgeous lake and Mountain Views, lots of birds! Also has a ramp to put in your boat, kayak, etc. I would recommend and visit again. The entire road in has National forest campsites as well if you want to go in the trees. Saw a few moose, elk, and antelope while camping.

• L

  Leo S.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 22, 2022

  Stanley Lake FS 638 Road Dispersed

  Great views and close to the lake

  I love this place as dispersed camping is our favorite. We are not stacked in n together and have great views of tue Sawtooth. My speed test was done with Verizon and I was using a WeBoost.

• 

  Alissa D.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 21, 2024

  Cauldron Linn BLM Dispersed

  Pretty Area - Felt Uneasy

  In the summer when the area is busier I think we would have love this more. Happy we were able to find free camping in this area. It’s a recreation area, so when we arrived we saw some in the distance fishing and another person bike riding. We were the only ones camping, and there was some unknown activities of others who came and went that we were unsure of. We would have felt better if someone else was camping somewhere. Nothing happened though and it was a cool spot. Definitely think when other campers are around this would be a great spot!

• 

  Greg D.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 9, 2024

  Snake River Canyons Park - Rickett's RV Camp

  Clean, convenient and free!

  It’s hard to believe this place is free. Nicer than some National Forest campgrounds with the same amenities. Pit toilets and that’s it. The toilets were clean and the one by our site even had a light on! It was a quiet stay and convenient to see Shoshone Falls, and resupply at Costco or Walmart just to the north in Jerome. Don’t skip the scenic overlooks at the bridge on highway 93, beautiful views, and we even watched a couple base jumpers there

• E

  Eric Y.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 12, 2020

  Arrowrock Reservoir Dispersed

  Irish Point

  We camped at Irish Point at Arrowhead's designated dispersed camping area. The road around the reservoir is pretty tight, though that doesn't discourage long trailers and toy haulers. We're pretty self-contained so didn't miss any usual camp ground amenities. Our neighbors were sparse and quiet and we enjoyed the peace of this area.