Idaho RV Camping And Campgrounds

RV Camping and Campgrounds In Idaho

Famous potatoes isn't all you'll find when searching for RV camping sites in Idaho. Private RV parks and public campgrounds offer facilities from primitive campsites to full service RV resorts. Free dispersed camping (boondocking) is widely available on BLM, Forest Service, and State Wildlife Management Areas.

Idaho Private RV Parks

• Private RV Parks - Research tool for finding the best private RV parks and campgrounds in Idaho.

Federal RV Camping Information

• National Park Service - NPS information about RV camping on National Park Service campgrounds in Idaho.
• US Forest Service manages two regions in Idaho.
  • USFS Idaho South
  USFS information about the eight National Forests and RV camping in Idaho. Thousands of developed campsites and great dispersed RV camping locations.
  • USFS Idaho Panhandle
  Campground guide for the Idaho panhandle area managed by the US Forest. Includes RV camping information.
• Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about lands managed in Idaho. BLM manages 8.4 million acres of public land, with over 50 developed recreation areas. Free dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is encouraged on BLM lands in Idaho.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about Corps lakes in Idaho. RV camping facilities are available at two USACE administered lakes in Idaho.
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in Idaho. Not all refuges allow camping, so check carefully.

State RV Camping Information

• Idaho State Parks offer a wide variety of campgrounds. RV camping locations from the mountains to the plains with almost unlimited recreation opportunities are located throughout the state.
• Idaho Fish and Game - Information and directions to Idaho's Wildlife Management Areas...many allow RV camping.
• Official Idaho State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in Idaho. RV Camping suggestins are included.

• Idaho Power Parks - Several parks provide public RV camping on a first come first serve basis.

Camping Reservations

• Camping Reservations - Make your Idaho State and Federal campground reservations in advance and your campsite will be waiting when you arrive.

Idaho RV Dump Stations

• RVDumps.com - Places to dump your RV in Idaho.
• Sanidumps.com - Idaho RV dump stations listed by town.

Idaho Free RV Camping

Public Lands in Idaho offer virtually unlimited free boondocking/dispersed RV camping locations. You can get free RV camping location tips from the USFS (US Forest Service) Ranger Districts and the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Field Offices. Use the above links to find their contact information and web sites, and asked for "recommended dispersed camping locations".

The following are just a few examples of great free RV camping locations in Idaho. Boondocking/Dispersed Camping has tips for finding great remote RV camping locations.

CHALLIS
Free RV camping is allowed at the Deadman Hole Recreation Site. Drinking water, vault toilet, boat ramp, and dispersed camping sites.

CLARKIA
Two BLM administered campgrounds are available for free RV camping. These campgrounds have no facilities, and are well off the beaten path. Suitable for smaller RVs.

• Crater Peak Camp
• Crater Lake Camp

ELMIRA
10 day limit RV camping is allowed on the McArthur Lake WMA. This wildlife management area has designated an an area just north of the dam for camping.

HOWE
50 miles from the nearest town, the Summit Creek Recreation Site has 7 campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Great wildlife viewing and fishing area.

OAKLEY
Primitive RV camping (boondocking) is permitted at the Big Cottonwood WMA. This wildlife management area offers stays of no more than 10 days in any 30 day period.

SILVER CITY
Don't let the ghosts frighten you away from great free RV camping at the Silver City Campground. This partially restored ghost town offers free camping off the beaten path. Check road conditions before heading into unfamiliar areas.

TENDOY
Located along the Lewis and Clark Scenic Byway, the BLM Agency Creek Campground offers 4 campsites with biking, fishing, OHV riding, wildlife viewing and more. Primitive campground with vault toilet.

Idaho Public Campgrounds

RV camping is available at a wide variety of public campgrounds in Idaho. From the Craters of the Moon, to City of Rocks, you can find the best campsites in Idaho. The following are only a few examples of the many RV camping locations available in Idaho.

ALMO
RV Camping is managed for the City of Rocks National Reserve by the State of Idaho. Campsites amid granite spires makes for a unique RV camping experience.

ARCO
Camp among volcanic rock outcroppings at Craters of the Moon National Monument. The campground has water and RV dump.

COEUR d'ALENE
20 campsites are available at the Beauty Creek Campground. This USDA Forest Service campground is fully accessible. and has potable water. No reservations.

DUBOIS
A short distance off I-15 is the Stoddard Creek Campground. Running water, restrooms, hiking trails, and each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, barbecue grill.

ISLAND PARK
Just outside Yellowstone National Park, the Henrys Lake State Park offers 44 campsites. Boating, hiking, and great scenery.

LEWISTON
Standard and water/electric campsites are available at Hells Gate State Park. This is the gateway to Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. Camping reservations recommended.

McCALL
Over 1000 acres on a peninsula make up Ponderosa State Park. Water and electric campsites. RV dump available.

MOUNTAIN HOME
RV camping is available at Bruneau Dunes State Park. The highest sand dune in North America is located in this park near the 82 water and electric campsites.

PINEHURST
9 miles north of I-90 is the Bumblebee Campground. USDA Forest Service campground has 25 RV Camping sites with potable water.

More Idaho Public Campgrounds

Besides the public RV camping information listed above, some Idaho counties have camping facilities, some of them free. Idaho Power also has campgrounds in the Hell's Canyon area. Try a Google search such as...

Idaho county park camping (no quotation marks) - which will show you more RV camping locations.

The location map images for finding RV camping locations in Idaho are derived from DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and used with their exclusive permission. The newest version Topo USA 8.0 National Edition now available covers the entire USA with highly detailed maps that can be zoomed in or out, moved, printed, and interfaced with GPS units. 3-D views, tracking and route planning, as well as map annotation ability are included. BLM administered lands are available free with registration of the program. A great tool to help locate RV camping locations.

• RV Camping Home
• RV Rentals
• RV Parks
• RV Products
• Articles
• Boondocking
• RV and Camping Tips
• RV Clubs
• FAQ

Federal Public Land
RV Camping Information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.

NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Located throughout the western USA, BLM managed lands offer great camping locations. Developed campgrounds, and almost unlimited dispersed camping opportunites await you.

Idaho Free Overnight
RV Parking Ideas

Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in Idaho. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on.

Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission.

• Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
• Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in Idaho due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
• Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
• Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
• Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
• Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
• Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
• Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
• Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
• Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
• Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission.
• RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
• Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
• Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
• Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
• Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
• Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
• Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
• Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.

As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in Idaho. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.