EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in Idaho
Idaho's dispersed camping access is extraordinary — the state has more roadless wilderness per capita than anywhere in the lower 48. The Boise, Payette, Sawtooth, Salmon-Challis, Clearwater, and Nez Perce national forests together cover nearly a quarter of the state. The Middle Fork of the Salmon River corridor and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness have dispersed camping the entire length of their river canyons — though most are accessible only by float or small aircraft. Highway 21 along the South Fork of the Payette has roadside dispersed sites. The Sawtooth Valley south of Stanley has flat, accessible camping with direct views of the Sawtooth Range. No campfire permit needed in most of Idaho, though fire restrictions apply in summer.
No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →
Before You Go
Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water
Free Camping Sites in Idaho
Boulder Flat, located at milepost 122 of US Highway 12 along the Lochsa River, offers dispersed camping, a vault toilet, and unimproved access to the river.
5 dispersed camping sites with fire rings are available for small RVs or tent camping, with nearby fishing, hiking, mushroom and berry picking.
Evans Creek Campground is located along Anderson Ranch Reservoir. There are 10 first come first serve campsites.
The Holland Lake Picnic Site offers plenty of parking, trash receptacles, restrooms, water supply, and several picnic sites with tables and grills. This site al…
Independence Lake Campground and Picnic Area is a non-fee campground and picnic area where reservations are not required. There are 5 single sites. This area i…
The Jackpine Flats campground is located 20 miles south of Trout Creek on Beaver Creek road 152. The campground has 1 site with table and fire ring. This campsi…
Redfish Lake Inlet is accessible either through water access: shuttle boat, kayak, canoe or hiking in. The campground consists of 4 sites and is first-come, fir…
Bonanza CCC Group Campground is located nine miles up the scenic and historic Yankee Fork drainage. It is approximately 23 miles from Stanley, Idaho, at an elev…
Castle Rock Campground is located on Anderson Ranch Reservoir. There are two first come first serve campsites.
Campground is Closed
Elk Creek Campground is composed of 3 campsites, located in a lodgepole pine understory, This small campground offers one group site that consists of three smal…
VAN LAKE (Camping Area) Newly improved in 2019! Six developed campsites along the southwest end of Van Lake. Two main campground loops with two vault toilets, t…
BAKER CREEK CAMPING AREA
25 MILE CAMPING AREA (Camping Area)
33 MILE DISPERSED (Camping Area)
BEAGLE CREEK CUA (Camping Area)
BRONCO GULCH DISPERSED CAMP (Camping Area)
COUGAR POINT CAMPGROUND (Campground)
DUTCHMAN FLAT DISPERSED CAMPGROUND (Campground)
EARL TENNANT CAMPGROUND (Campground)
FOURTH OF JULY CAMPING AREA (Camping Area)
GLIDDEN LAKE (Camping Area)
KELLEY CREEK (Camping Area)
LAKE CREEK CAMPING AREA (Camping Area)
SALMON MT BASE CAMP (Camping Area)
STOVEPIPE SPRINGS DISPERSED CAMPGROUND (Campground)
TEPEE CREEK CAMP (Camping Area)
TINCUP Dispersed Site
TRAPPER FLAT CAMPING AREA (Camping Area)
WHITE ROCK SPRINGS (Camping Area)
Payette National Forest camp spot, near McCall Idaho on the way to Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.
Payette National Forest, middle of no where, right near Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area
Challis National Forest, this is a grassland more than a forest, very steep road to get to it, but nicely gravelled. Recommend 4wd. I think it is near a radio…
Wolf Flats - Free Targhee National Forest campsites. Toilet areas, fire rings with grills that come up over the pit, free sites on either side of the road for …
LEES POINT (Campground)
MARTEN CREEK (Camping Area)
This small campground is located in a partially restored 19th-century mining town. Please plan to bring your own water. Don't use the water running through the …
DISPERSED SITE 21 (Camping Area)