Idaho RV Camping

Idaho RV camping can be found all over the state, and of course, you’ll find those famous potatoes when searching for camping sites in Idaho. Private RV parks and public campgrounds offer facilities from primitive campsites to full-service RV resorts. Free dispersed RV camping (boondocking) is widely available on BLM, Forest Service, and State Wildlife Management Areas.

• Idaho RV Parks – Research tool for finding the best Idaho RV parks and campgrounds.

• NationalPark Service – NPS information about Idaho RV camping in National Park Service campgrounds.

US Forest Service (USFS) – Idaho RV camping and recreation information.

• USFS Idaho Panhandle
• Boise National Forest
• Caribou-Targhee National Forest
• Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests
• Payette National Forest
• Salmon-Challis National Forest
• Sawtooth National Forest

• 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.

• 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. Includes Idaho RV camping suggestions.
• Idaho Power Parks – Several parks provide public RV camping on a first come, first serve basis.

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

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

Public Lands offer virtually unlimited free boondocking/dispersed Idaho RV camping locations. Boondocking has information about finding free Idaho RV camping locations, and you can often get free RV camping locations from the USFS (US Forest Service) Ranger Districts and the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Field Offices. Asked about “recommended dispersed camping locations.”

The following are just a few examples of great free Idaho RV camping locations.

Free camping is allowed at the Deadman Hole Recreation Site. Located next to the Salmon River, you’ll find great fishing as well as drinking water, vault toilet, boat ramp, and dispersed RV camping sites.

CLARKIA Two BLM administered campgrounds are available for free RV camping. These campgrounds have few amenities and are well off the beaten path. Suitable for smaller RVs.

• • Crater Peak Camp
  • Crater Lake Camp

ELMIRA Moose and migratory bird watching are popular at the McArthur Lake WMA. The WMA (Wildlife Management Area) has designated an area just north of the dam for Idaho RV camping with a 10-day limit.

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 dispersed Idaho 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 Idaho 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, wildlife viewing, and more. Primitive campground with a vault toilet.

Idaho RV camping is available at a wide variety of public campgrounds. From the Craters of the Moon, to the City of Rocks, you can find the best campsites in Idaho. The following are only a few examples of the many great campsite locations available. All campsites have a fire-ring and picnic table, and vault toilets and drinking water is available.

ALMO Camping is managed for the City of Rocks National Reserve by the State of Idaho. 64 campsites amid granite spires make for a unique Idaho RV camping experience. All campsites have a fire ring and picnic table, there are vault toilets, and drinking water is available.

ARCO Camp among volcanic rock outcroppings at Craters of the Moon National Monument. A landscape so alien astronauts performed Apollo moon mission training here. The campground has water and an 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, and each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring/barbecue grill. Popular activities include hiking, fishing, ATV, and mountain biking.

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 are recommended.

McCALL Over 1000 acres on a peninsula make up Ponderosa State Park. Water and electric campsites. RV dump is available. Activities include hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing,

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 Idaho RV camping sites.

PINEHURST9 miles north of I-90 is the Bumblebee Campground. USDA Forest Service campground has 25 RV Camping sites with potable water.

Besides the public Idaho RV camping information listed above, many Idaho counties have camping facilities, some of them free. The following are just a few of the camping opportunities available.

• Situated along the Snake River, Celebration Park is Idaho’s only archaeological park.
• Martin Landing Recreation Area is located at the confluence of the Boise, Owyhee, and Snake Rivers.

• Bonneville county in east-central Idaho offers the Blacktail Park and Juniper Campground.  Camping, shelters, picnic tables, and fire rings. Pack out your trash.

• Beaver Dick Park. Great campground at $5 per night or $15 for 5 nights.

The location map images for finding Idaho RV camping locations are derived from DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and used with their exclusive permission.