Camping in Idaho

A complete guide to camping in Idaho

Scenic Idaho wilderness camping under starry night sky

Photo Credit: R Fish

Overview

Idaho camping operates in the spaces between mountain ranges. The state's terrain is dominated by the Sawtooth, Bitterroot, and Salmon River mountains, with narrow valleys and river corridors providing the access points. Stanley sits at 6,200 feet in the Sawtooth Valley, one of the most scenic campground settings in the American West. The Salmon River, the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48, carves through the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, the largest contiguous wilderness area outside Alaska.

The southern half of the state drops into Snake River Plain lava fields and high desert around Mountain Home and the Boise foothills. Craters of the Moon National Monument offers camping on volcanic terrain unlike anything in the neighboring states. Northern Idaho around Cooskia and the Clearwater River connects to the Bitterroot Range and feels more like western Montana. The state's low population density means many campgrounds remain uncrowded even in peak season.

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Best Seasons to Camp in Idaho

Spring

Mar-May

High 52°F · Low 40°F

Valley floors dry out by April. Mountain passes remain closed through May. The Boise foothills green up with wildflowers. River flows peak with snowmelt. Lower-elevation campgrounds open first.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 71°F · Low 59°F

Mountain campgrounds open by late June as snow recedes. The Sawtooth Valley and Stanley area enter peak season. Hot springs along the Salmon River draw visitors. Southern Idaho desert temperatures climb into the 90s.

Winter

Dec-Feb

High 32°F · Low 20°F

Mountain campgrounds close under snow. January averages 24 degrees statewide. Lower elevations around Boise stay accessible. Sun Valley and McCall operate as winter recreation destinations. Hot springs camping remains popular year-round.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	52°F	40°F	Valley floors dry out by April.
Summer	Jun-Aug	71°F	59°F	Mountain campgrounds open by late June as snow recedes.
Fall	Sep-Nov	52°F	40°F	September extends summer conditions at most elevations.
Winter	Dec-Feb	32°F	20°F	Mountain campgrounds close under snow.

Camping Regions in Idaho

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
Sawtooth Valley and Stanley	Mountain	Stanley, Ketchum, Sun Valley, Challis
Salmon River Country	Mountain	Salmon, Elk City, North Fork, Challis
Northern Idaho and Clearwater	Forest	Kooskia, Grangeville, Moscow, Orofino
Boise and Southwest	Plains	Cascade, McCall, Boise, Mountain Home
Snake River Plain and Craters	Desert	Arco, Twin Falls, Mountain Home, Shoshone

Sawtooth Valley and Stanley

Mountain · Stanley, Ketchum, Sun Valley, Challis

The most dramatic camping scenery in Idaho. The Sawtooth Range rises above Stanley at 6,200 feet. Redfish Lake, Alturas Lake, and the headwaters of the Salmon River provide mountain-lake camping. Developed Forest Service campgrounds line Highway 75 through the valley. Cold nights year-round. Stanley RV and Sockeye Campground in Stanley provide the primary developed options in the valley, while Meadows RV Park near Ketchum serves the Sun Valley corridor.

Salmon River Country

Mountain · Salmon, Elk City, North Fork, Challis

The Salmon River and its Middle Fork cut through deep canyons in central Idaho. Rafting, fishing, and hot springs anchor the recreation. The Frank Church Wilderness extends on both sides. Challis, Salmon, and Elk City serve as supply towns on the edges of the wilderness. Elk Bend RV Park and Andreas On The River RV Park in Salmon serve the main river town, with Riders Rest in Elk City covering the more remote Middle Fork access.

Northern Idaho and Clearwater

Forest · Kooskia, Grangeville, Moscow, Orofino

Dense forest and steep river canyons along the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers. Kooskia and the Highway 12 corridor provide access. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness borders Montana. Lewis and Clark traveled this route. Feels more like western Montana than the rest of Idaho. Johnson Bar Campground near Kooskia and Bear Den RV Resort in Grangeville serve the Clearwater and Lochsa river corridors.

Boise and Southwest

Plains · Cascade, McCall, Boise, Mountain Home

The Boise foothills and Snake River corridor offer the most accessible camping from the state's largest city. The Boise National Forest extends northeast into the mountains. Cascade and McCall provide mountain-lake camping within two hours of Boise. Summer temperatures in the valley reach the 90s. Waters Edge RV Resort and Clear Creek Station RV Park in Cascade provide mountain-lake camping, while Black Bear RV Park in McCall adds a Payette Lake option.

Snake River Plain and Craters

Desert · Arco, Twin Falls, Mountain Home, Shoshone

Volcanic lava fields, high desert, and sagebrush steppe across southern Idaho. Craters of the Moon National Monument provides camping on lava flows. The Snake River canyon near Twin Falls adds a dramatic landscape. Hotter and drier than the mountain regions. Mountain View RV Park near Arco serves Craters of the Moon visitors, while Nat Soo Pah Hot Springs and Campground near Twin Falls combines hot spring soaking with camping.

Camping Tips for Idaho

Idaho has more wilderness acreage than any other state in the lower 48. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness alone covers 2.3 million acres. Dispersed camping is abundant.
Hot springs dot the backcountry throughout central Idaho. Many are free and accessible from campgrounds. Water temperatures vary. Test before entering. Some require hiking to reach.
River permits are required for multi-day float trips on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon River. The lottery opens in December for summer season. These are among the most competitive river permits in the country.
Grizzly bears have expanded their range into central Idaho from the Yellowstone ecosystem. Bear spray and proper food storage are recommended in the Salmon River mountains.
Cell service is absent across most of central Idaho. Download offline maps and file a trip plan with someone before heading into the backcountry.
Mountain roads in Idaho are often unpaved and require high clearance. The road to Stanley from Boise via Highway 21 is paved but many spur roads to campgrounds are gravel or dirt.

Frequently Asked Questions

How remote is camping in central Idaho?

Very remote. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness has no roads through its 2.3 million acres. Towns like Stanley and Salmon sit on the edges with limited services. Cell service is absent in most of the backcountry. Carry all supplies, file a trip plan, and be prepared for self-rescue.

Are there hot springs near Idaho campgrounds?

Dozens of natural hot springs are accessible from campgrounds throughout central Idaho. Kirkham Hot Springs near Lowman, Sunbeam Hot Springs near Stanley, and Boat Box Hot Springs along the Middle Fork are among the most popular. Many more require short hikes. Water temperatures vary by season and spring.

Do I need permits for river camping in Idaho?

Multi-day float trips on the Middle Fork Salmon and Main Salmon River require permits allocated by lottery. The lottery opens in December for the following summer season. Day trips do not require permits on most sections. The Selway River also has a permit system.

When do mountain campgrounds open in Idaho?

Most Forest Service campgrounds above 5,000 feet open between late May and late June, depending on snowpack. The Sawtooth Valley around Stanley typically opens in mid-June. Lower elevations near Boise and the Snake River open in April or May. Check with the specific ranger district for current status.

Is dispersed camping easy to find in Idaho?

Extensive national forest land covers central and northern Idaho, making dispersed camping widely available. No permits required for most areas. The Sawtooth, Boise, Salmon-Challis, and Nez Perce-Clearwater national forests all permit it. Stay limits of 14 days apply. Fire restrictions vary by season.