Myrtle Falls, Idaho
Photo by: Benjamin Earwicker (Stock Exchange)

Howdy, all! Today’s AllCampgrounds finishes up our visit to Idaho.

We’ve seen some of the best public lands, including brilliant Shoshone Falls, and visited some amazing grounds for tenting.

Now let’s saddle up the old “coach” and find the best picks for RVs. Who knows where we’ll be headed to next? The outdoors is a big, big place!

Blue Lake RV Resort: Six miles south of Bonners Ferry, which serves as home to the beautiful waterfall pictured above, this northern Idaho RV resort offers six wide pull-through sites for the biggest RVs, as well as a large assortment of other RV and tent camping locales. Pull-throughs are equipped with 30 amp electric service and wireless access. There are also back-in and partial hook-up sites. A clubhouse free hot shower, fishing, swimming, and a range of other fun games and events are included. For hunters, be aware that this place is right in the heart of Idaho’s big game country!

The Ashton Inn and RV Park: 42 RV campgrounds plus several pull-throughs make this a top option for RV camping right within reach of West Yellowstone. Though there are only 11 sites for tent camping, it’s particularly diverse for RV campers, with 50/30/20 amp hookups and full sewer, water, cable, and wireless. You can check in any time of the day or night, and enjoy a day, week, or month with flexible rates. The local community, Ashton, is known for great winter sports and the annual American Dog Derby. The park also stands at the crossroads of the Idaho branch of Yellowstone National Park, and the beautiful mountains of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

On the River RV Park: On the River holds the distinction of being the largest of all the state’s RV parks and campgrounds, so if you’ve had trouble getting reservations elsewhere, look no further! There are over 200 spaces here, with full laundry, propane, phone, internet, and an on-site dump station. On the River is not seasonal – it’s open all year, and its competitive prices and good location make it a prime choice for setting up near any of the annual events that take place in the Boise area. The Boise River is just outside, with ample walking paths for sightseeing.

RV Idaho Campground Association: If you’re hungry for more RV resorts and camp grounds in Idaho, if you really want to see all campsites there is to see before you decide, welcome to the local RV Campgrounds Association, which can tell you everything you want to know about camping and outdoor recreation in the state. Everything on fishing, hunting, hiking, and so much more is conveniently centralized in their resources, there’s a searchable database of camp grounds to choose from, and you can even get free, full-color guides and maps to RV camping and travel in the state. Don’t miss out!

Mountain lake of Idaho
Photo by: Benjamin Earwicker (Stock Exchange)

AllCampgrounds is glad to see you back for another camping extravaganza here on our blog.

We’re going to continue our trek through Idaho now, leaving Shoshone Falls and Snake River behind to uncover the secrets of the rest of this rugged and wonderful land.

As usual around here, we’ll give tent camping a go before we swing by some RV camp grounds in our next post. Remember, despite its clean-cut “nice state” image, Idaho is mountainous and serves as the gateway to six states and the Canadian province of British Columbia.

We could write a book on the terrific camping here, nevermind a post or three!

Some of the Best Tent Camping State-Wide

Last time, we stuck close to the course of the Snake River, so let’s explore further …

Payette National Forest Camp Grounds: The Payette National Forest covers almost 2.3 million miles of forest. Dispersed along the forest are 60 separate camp sites, many oriented near lakes or creeks. All campsites come with access to drinking water. Some are accessible to handicapped visitors, and about half also include access for RV camping. Beware of rain and melting snow, which might make some camp grounds inaccessible or cause temporary closures.

Ponderosa State Park: Ponderosa State Park is located on about 1,000 acres of a peninsula surrounded by the picturesque waters of Payette Lake. There are plenty of campsites, all of which can be reserved in advance, and pets are welcome if kept securely leashed at all times. Ponderosa is best known for its hiking and biking, as well as magnificent views of the lake available from some outlooks. Naturalists provide guided tours which can help you get the most out of birding and other nature viewing. In the winter, patrons can enjoy skiing and snowshoeing on some of the best-maintained trails in the state.

Picnic Point: Though Picnic Point only has eight camp grounds to choose from, this tent-only camp deserves mention for its great location. Standing at an elevation of over 5,000 feet, it’s nestled on a bluff above Warm Lake, shaded by majestic Ponderosa pines and offering fishing opportunities for a whole range of game trout. Beyond the lake, you can enjoy mountain biking or take your favorite ATV (or horse!) out for a spin. There are 20 miles of ATV trails, and a swim beach only about a mile from the center of camp. Cabins are also operated nearby, so bring the whole family.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve: Admittedly, Craters of the Moon does not have its own developed camping or lodging opportunities, though back-country camping is available with a permit. But as a unique attraction goes, this definitely deserves to be mentioned. Described by the NPS as “a vast ocean of lava flows”, it offers a truly unique landscape for hiking, exploring the one-of-a-kind cave systems, and (in season) skiing or snowshoeing across the trails.

Ranch entrance
Photo by: alpeviolen (Stock Exchange)

Thanks for dropping by AllCampgrounds!

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Idaho, the first thing that comes to mind is potatos. Imagine my surprise when, recently, a reader tipped me off to some excellent camp grounds around the state – and not a potato in sight

Idaho, in the Pacific Northwest, is something of a mystery to those who’ve never been there, but it has a rugged, unspoiled landscape great for backcountry camping, and some unexpected natural features. For example, Shoshone Falls, on the powerful Snake River, is actually 36 feet taller than world-famous Niagara!

Top Tent Camping and RV Campground Selections Near Shoshone

Though the Falls are actually located within the town of Twin Falls, many camping opportunities convenient to them are to be found in the area of Stanley, Idaho.

Twin Falls KOA: Though the city of Twin Falls operates facilities for viewing Shoshone Falls, which is best seen just as the winter snow melts, if you want to tent or enjoy RV camp grounds you’ll have to lodge at nearby sites instead. Open from March 1 to October 31, the Twin Falls KOA is central to awesome attractions for hardcore campers, casual tourists, and the whole family. Offering the kind of full-featured and friendly experience KOA camp grounds are known for, it particularly prides itself on the “room service”-type delivery of dinner each night, on request.

Anderson Camp: Anderson’s camp grounds in the aptly named Eden, Ohio caters to tent camping, RVs, and cabin fans. Anderson features grassy, shaded lots, along with a full-service cafe, convenience store, laundry, fuel, and even basic business services. There are two pools, and 18 holes of miniature golf, with a playground, game room, and volleyball available. During the season, you can even pick your own fruit at your campsite!

Sawtooth National Forest: Sawtooth National Forest covers more than two million acres of remote wooded land, encompassing a thousand-plus lakes and over three thousand miles of watercourse. With so much area to cover, you can expect developed and primitive sites of every kind dispersed around the area, and there’s also ample space for group camping. Popular recreation activities including bicycling, climbing, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting.

More on camping and visiting the area is available from the official Stanley, Idaho website, calling it “a playground for all seasons.” Also take a look at Idaho’s Scenic Byways, a government-supported site, for maps and information on Snake River and points of interest along its 67-mile course. Popular guided tours bring visitors to the Falls close enough to feel the spray. Finally, for a convenient option on a pristine lake, try the cabins at Redfish Lake Lodge. They’ll help you get reservations and have a great time at any of the area’s natural sites.