Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in Idaho (With Travel Guide)
Idaho, known as the "Gem State," is a hidden paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering stunning mountains, crystal-clear lakes, vast forests, and the mighty Snake River. Whether you're seeking mountain adventures, alpine lake camping, or riverfront escapes, Idaho has some of the most breathtaking and rugged camping experiences in the American West.
Below are the top 10 camping destinations in Idaho, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging)
✅ Important tips & safety advice
1. Sawtooth National Recreation Area (Stanley) – Alpine Lakes & Mountains
🏔️ Highlights:
Sawtooth Mountains (jagged peaks & alpine lakes)
Stanley Lake (perfect for kayaking & fishing)
Hiking trails to Alice-Toxaway Loop & Redfish Lake
Wildlife (mountain goats, elk, bald eagles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
July–September (best for hiking, 60-80°F)
Summer = mild & sunny (perfect for alpine lakes)
Winter = heavy snow (great for skiing, but closed roads)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Stanley Lake Campground, Redfish Lake Campground
Stanley (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Sun Valley (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
High elevation (7,000+ ft) – cold nights even in summer
Bears are common – store food in bear-proof containers
Thunderstorms develop quickly in afternoon
2. Shoshone Falls Park (Twin Falls) – "Niagara of the West"
🌊 Highlights:
Shoshone Falls (212 ft – taller than Niagara Falls)
Swimming & kayaking in Snake River Canyon
Hiking trails along the rim & waterfalls
Sunset views over the canyon
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
April–October (best for waterfalls, 60-90°F)
Summer = warm & sunny (perfect for swimming)
Spring & Fall = cooler but less crowded
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: nearby Massacre Rocks State Park (camping)
Twin Falls (10 mins) has supermarkets, restaurants, & gas
Boise (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Water levels vary by season (check before swimming)
Snakes are common in the canyon – watch your step
Parking fills up on weekends
3. Payette Lake (McCall) – Alpine Lake Camping
🏞️ Highlights:
Payette Lake (crystal-clear waters for swimming & boating)
Brundage Mountain Resort (skiing & snowboarding)
Hiking trails around the lake & Ponderosa State Park
Wildlife (ospreys, deer, beavers)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for lake activities, 60-85°F)
Summer = warm & sunny (perfect for kayaking)
Winter = skiing & snowshoeing (cold but beautiful)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Ponderosa State Park Campground, Payette Lake Campground
McCall (5 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Boise (2.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Boat rentals are available but can be pricey
Mosquitoes are active in summer – bring repellent
Lake water is cold year-round (even in summer)
4. Craters of the Moon National Monument (Arco) – Volcanic Landscape
🌋 Highlights:
Lava fields, cinder cones & lava tubes
Hiking trails through volcanic terrain
Cave exploration (Indian Tunnel & Dewdrop Cave)
Dark skies for stargazing
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for hiking, 50-80°F)
Summer = warm but dry (perfect for lava hikes)
Winter = extremely cold & snowy (roads closed)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Craters of the Moon Campground (primitive sites)
Arco (20 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Idaho Falls (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Lava rock is sharp – wear sturdy shoes
Caves can be dark & slippery (bring a flashlight)
No water available in the park – bring your own
5. Henry’s Lake State Park (Island Park) – Fly Fishing Paradise
🎣 Highlights:
Henry’s Lake (world-renowned fly fishing for trout)
Hiking trails around the lake & Centennial Mountains
Wildlife (moose, elk, bald eagles)
Boating & kayaking
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for fishing, 50-80°F)
Summer = mild & sunny (perfect for fishing)
Winter = snow-covered (great for snowmobiling)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Henry’s Lake State Park Campground
Island Park (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
West Yellowstone (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Fishing licenses are required
Bears are common – secure food properly
Lake water is cold (even in summer)
6. Priest Lake State Park (Priest Lake) – Secluded Lake Camping
🏞️ Highlights:
Priest Lake (one of Idaho’s clearest lakes)
Hiking trails through cedar forests
Kayaking & paddleboarding
Wildlife (loons, bald eagles, black bears)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for lake activities, 60-85°F)
Summer = warm & sunny (perfect for swimming)
Winter = snow-covered (great for snowshoeing)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Priest Lake State Park Campgrounds
Priest River (20 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Coeur d’Alene (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Boat rentals are available but limited
Mosquitoes can be active in summer
Lake water is cold year-round
7. City of Rocks National Reserve (Almo) – Rock Climbing & Hiking
🗿 Highlights:
Granite spires & rock formations (popular for climbing)
Hiking trails through high desert landscape
Historic Oregon Trail sites
Stargazing with minimal light pollution
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for climbing, 60-85°F)
Summer = warm & dry (perfect for hiking)
Winter = cold & snowy (roads may close)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: City of Rocks Campground
Almo (5 mins) has small grocery stores
Burley (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Climbing requires experience – beginners should hire a guide
Water is limited – bring your own
Temperatures drop quickly at night
8. Hells Canyon (Riggins) – Deepest River Gorge in North America
🌊 Highlights:
Hells Canyon (deepest river gorge in the U.S.)
Whitewater rafting & kayaking
Hiking trails along the Snake River
Wildlife (bighorn sheep, bald eagles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for rafting, 60-90°F)
Summer = warm & sunny (perfect for river trips)
Winter = extremely cold & snowy (closed roads)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Hells Canyon Campgrounds
Riggins (30 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Lewiston (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
River currents are dangerous – only experienced rafters should go
Weather changes quickly – pack layers
Cell service is limited
9. Lake Coeur d’Alene (Coeur d’Alene) – Scenic Lake Camping
🏞️ Highlights:
Lake Coeur d’Alene (crystal-clear waters & mountain views)
Hiking trails around the lake & Tubbs Hill
Kayaking & paddleboarding
Wildlife (ospreys, deer, bald eagles)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for lake activities, 60-85°F)
Summer = warm & sunny (perfect for swimming)
Winter = snow-covered (great for snowshoeing)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Heyburn State Park Campground
Coeur d’Alene (10 mins) has supermarkets, restaurants, & gas
Spokane, WA (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Boat rentals are available but can be pricey
Mosquitoes are active in summer
Lake water is cold even in summer
10. Salmon River (Riggins) – "River of No Return"
🌊 Highlights:
Salmon River (one of the longest undammed rivers in the U.S.)
Whitewater rafting & kayaking
Hiking trails along the river
Wildlife (bald eagles, river otters)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for rafting, 60-90°F)
Summer = warm & sunny (perfect for river trips)
Winter = extremely cold & snowy (closed roads)
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Salmon River Campgrounds
Riggins (10 mins) has small grocery stores & gas stations
Lewiston (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
River rafting requires experience – beginners should hire a guide
Weather changes quickly – pack layers
Cell service is limited
Final Tips for Camping in Idaho
✔ Reservations are recommended in summer (popular spots fill up fast)
✔ Bears are common in many parks – secure food properly
✔ Weather changes quickly – pack layers & rain gear
✔ Bring plenty of water (many remote areas have no services)
Idaho offers some of the most rugged and beautiful camping in the U.S.—from alpine lakes to volcanic deserts. Whether you want a peaceful lake retreat or an adventurous river trip, these 10 camping spots will give you an unforgettable Idaho experience. 🏕️🏔️🌲