Idaho Summer Camping Guide — 18ft RV from Star, ID 🏕️
Self-contained dry camping within 2–4 hours of Star, Idaho. June–September.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Best Campgrounds Within 2 Hours
- Best Campgrounds 2–4 Hours Out
- Boondocking / Dispersed Camping
- Hot Springs Near Campgrounds
- Activities & Day Trips
- 18ft RV Tips for Idaho
- Packing Checklist
1. Overview
Idaho is one of the most underrated camping states in the country. Over 60% of the state is public land — national forests, BLM, and wilderness areas — meaning you have virtually unlimited places to camp, many of them free. The Gem State offers everything from alpine lakes at 8,000+ feet to desert canyons, wild rivers, and natural hot springs you can soak in under the stars.
Summer Weather (June–September)
- Boise/Star area (2,700 ft): Hot — highs of 85–100°F in July/August. You'll want to head to higher elevations.
- Mountains (5,000–7,000 ft): Perfect — highs of 70–85°F, lows of 40–55°F. Ideal camping weather.
- High mountains (7,000+ ft): Cool — highs of 60–75°F, lows of 30–45°F. Bring layers.
- Monsoon season: Late July–August can bring afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains. They usually clear by evening.
- Fire season: August–September. Fire restrictions are common — check before you go. Some years are worse than others for smoke.
Why an 18ft Rig is Perfect for Idaho
Most Idaho campgrounds were built for smaller rigs. Many national forest sites have tight turns, narrow roads, and short pads. Your 18-footer will fit places that 30+ foot rigs can't touch. This opens up some of the best, most remote spots in the state.
2. Best Campgrounds Within 2 Hours of Star
Banks / Lowman Corridor (Highway 21 & Banks-Lowman Road)
This is your bread and butter — the closest mountain camping to Star with amazing scenery.
⚠️ Hot Springs Campground (USFS) — CLOSED
- Hot Springs Campground (the campground adjacent to Kirkham Hot Springs) has been closed indefinitely by the USFS due to litter and vandalism issues.
- Kirkham Hot Springs itself is still accessible for day use only, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM, with a $5/vehicle fee.
- For overnight camping near Kirkham, use Pine Flats or Bonneville (below).
Pine Flats Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: ~1 hour 30 min
- Elevation: 3,900 ft
- Why it's great: Larger campground along the South Fork Payette. Good swimming holes. Pine Flats hot spring nearby.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: $10–15/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: Hot springs, swimming, fishing
Swinging Bridge Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: ~1 hour 15 min
- Elevation: 3,700 ft
- Why it's great: Small, quiet camp right on the South Fork Payette. Great for fishing.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: Free–$10/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: River access, hot springs upstream
Garden Valley / Crouch Area
Silver Creek Campground
- Drive time: ~1 hour 30 min
- Elevation: 4,500 ft
- Why it's great: Quiet, forested, near the Middle Fork Payette. Less crowded than Banks corridor.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: Free–$10/night
- Cell service: Limited
- Nearby: Hiking, mountain biking, Terrace Lakes
Lucky Peak / Arrowrock Area
Arrowrock Reservoir — Various Pulloffs and USFS Sites
- Drive time: 45 min–1 hour
- Elevation: 3,300 ft
- Why it's great: Closest reservoir camping to Star. Good boating, swimming.
- Reservations: Mix of reservable and first-come
- Cost: $10–20/night (free for dispersed spots)
- Cell service: Spotty
- Nearby: Boating, fishing, swimming, Lucky Peak dam
Anderson Ranch Reservoir
Pine Campground / Curlew Creek Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: ~2 hours (via Hwy 21 south through Featherville)
- Elevation: 5,300 ft
- Why it's great: Beautiful reservoir with less crowds than Lucky Peak. Excellent fishing (kokanee, rainbow, smallmouth bass). Cooler temps at elevation.
- Reservations: Mix — some reservable at Recreation.gov, some first-come
- Cost: $10–15/night
- Cell service: Very limited
- Nearby: Fishing, boating, Featherville ghost town vibes, Trinity Mountain trails
Lowman Area
Bonneville Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: ~1 hour 45 min
- Elevation: 4,400 ft
- Why it's great: Along the South Fork Payette near Lowman. Close to Bonneville Hot Springs. Forested and peaceful.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: $10/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: Bonneville Hot Springs (0.5 mile), hiking, Kirkham Hot Springs (20 min west)
3. Best Campgrounds 2–4 Hours from Star
Stanley / Sawtooth Valley (3–3.5 hours)
This is the crown jewel. The Sawtooth Valley is one of the most beautiful places in America — jagged 10,000 ft peaks, crystal clear lakes, and the headwaters of the Salmon River.
Redfish Lake Campgrounds (USFS — Glacier View, Point, Outlet, Mt. Heyburn)
- Drive time: 3 hours 15 min
- Elevation: 6,550 ft
- Why it's great: Iconic. Redfish Lake with the Sawtooths as a backdrop is the most photographed spot in Idaho. Swimming, kayaking, boat tours to the trailheads.
- Reservations: Reserve early at Recreation.gov (or call 877-444-6777) — these fill up months in advance for summer weekends. Some first-come sites available midweek.
- Cost (2026): Single sites start around $18/night; Point Campground around $24/night. Extra vehicle fee around $9. Rates subject to change.
- Cell service: Limited (some AT&T near Stanley)
- Nearby: Redfish Lake Lodge, boat shuttle to Alpine Way trail, Stanley hot springs
Alturas Lake Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: 3 hours
- Elevation: 7,000 ft
- Why it's great: Quieter alternative to Redfish. Gorgeous lake, less crowded, great kayaking.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served (some reservable)
- Cost: $16–18/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: Hiking, fishing, alpine scenery
Stanley Lake Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: 3 hours 15 min
- Elevation: 6,550 ft
- Why it's great: Small lake, huge mountain backdrop (McGown Peak). Less busy than Redfish.
- Reservations: Recreation.gov
- Cost: $18/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: Stanley Lake Creek trail, fishing
Salmon River Campgrounds (near Stanley)
- Drive time: 3–3.5 hours
- Elevation: 6,000 ft
- Why it's great: Multiple USFS campgrounds along the Salmon River east and west of Stanley. Many are free or cheap. River access for fishing and floating.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served (most)
- Cost: Free–$12/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: Salmon River rafting, Sunbeam Hot Springs, Yankee Fork historic area
McCall / Payette Lake (2.5 hours)
Ponderosa State Park
- Drive time: 2 hours 30 min
- Elevation: 5,030 ft
- Why it's great: One of Idaho's best state parks. Peninsula jutting into Payette Lake. Incredible views, great trails, swim beach.
- Reservations: Reserve at getoutside.idaho.gov (the new IDAHO TIME system, launched January 2025 — replaced the old reserveamerica URL). Book early — this is the most popular campground in the region. Phone: 1-888-922-6743.
- Cost: Idaho State Parks now use dynamic pricing — rates vary by demand and season. Expect $25–$50/night depending on site and timing.
- Cell service: Yes (McCall has good coverage)
- Nearby: McCall town (restaurants, shops), Payette Lake, Brundage Mountain hiking
Lake Fork Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: 2 hours 45 min
- Elevation: 5,100 ft
- Why it's great: On the east side of Payette Lake. Quieter than Ponderosa. Good lake access.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: $12–15/night
- Cell service: Limited
- Nearby: Payette Lake, McCall
Upper Payette Lake Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: 3 hours
- Elevation: 5,100 ft
- Why it's great: North end of Payette Lake. Secluded, beautiful. Fewer people.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: $10–12/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: North Fork Payette River, hiking
Cascade / Warm Lake (2–3 hours)
Warm Lake Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: 2 hours 45 min
- Elevation: 5,300 ft
- Why it's great: Remote, warm-water lake (hence the name), great fishing. Feels like you're in the middle of nowhere because you basically are.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: $10/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: Warm Lake Lodge, South Fork Salmon River, Johnson Creek airstrip
Cascade Reservoir — Various Sites
- Drive time: 2 hours
- Elevation: 4,800 ft
- Why it's great: Big reservoir with multiple campgrounds. Good for boating, fishing (perch, trout). Easy access.
- Reservations: Mix
- Cost: $10–25/night
- Cell service: Yes (near Cascade town)
- Nearby: Town of Cascade, Kelly's Whitewater Park, Gold Fork Hot Springs (nearby)
Sun Valley / Ketchum Area (2.5–3 hours)
North Fork Campground (USFS, Big Wood River)
- Drive time: 2 hours 45 min
- Elevation: 6,400 ft
- Why it's great: Along the Big Wood River near Ketchum. Forested, good fishing, close to Sun Valley amenities.
- Reservations: Recreation.gov
- Cost: $15–18/night
- Cell service: Yes (near Ketchum)
- Nearby: Sun Valley, Ketchum restaurants/shops, Baldy hiking, Trail Creek
Baker Creek Campground (USFS)
- Drive time: 3 hours
- Elevation: 7,200 ft
- Why it's great: Higher elevation, cooler, more remote. Beautiful aspen groves.
- Reservations: First-come, first-served
- Cost: $10/night
- Cell service: None
- Nearby: Hiking into White Cloud peaks, fishing
4. Boondocking / Dispersed Camping
What You Need to Know
Idaho is a boondocker's paradise. National Forest and BLM land allow free dispersed camping almost everywhere unless posted otherwise. General rules:
- 14-day stay limit in one spot (then move at least 5 miles)
- No fee in most dispersed areas
- Pack in, pack out — no trash service
- Camp in previously used sites when possible (look for fire rings, cleared areas)
- Stay on established roads and pull-offs — don't create new sites
- Check fire restrictions before building any campfire — Idaho issues Stage 1–3 restrictions that can prohibit fires entirely
Best Dispersed Camping Areas
Boise National Forest (closest to Star)
- Grimes Creek Road (east of Horseshoe Bend): Multiple pulloffs and dispersed sites along the creek. 45 min–1.5 hours from Star. Mix of dirt and gravel roads, most fine for 18ft.
- Wilderness Ranch / Beaver Creek (north of Boise): Forest roads with numerous dispersed sites. 1–1.5 hours.
- Banks-Lowman Road side roads: Turn off onto any USFS road and you'll find spots. Many are along creeks.
Sawtooth National Forest
- Smiley Creek area (south of Stanley): Wide open valley with dispersed sites along the creek. Easy access, flat.
- Galena Summit area: Stunning high-elevation dispersed camping with Sawtooth views.
- East Fork Wood River (near Ketchum): Numerous pulloffs along the river.
Payette National Forest
- Warren Wagon Road (north of McCall): Remote, gorgeous. Some rougher roads — scout first.
- Lick Creek Road (east of McCall): Good dispersed options with mountain views.
BLM Land
- Boise Foothills / Orchard area: Closest BLM options but lower desert — hot in summer.
- Salmon River corridor BLM: Various pulloffs along the river between Stanley and Challis.
Tips for 18ft Rig Dispersed Camping
- Scout on Google Maps satellite view before committing to a dirt road
- Download offline maps (iOverlander, FreeRoam, Campendium apps are great for finding dispersed sites)
- Watch for soft shoulders — Idaho forest roads can have soft edges where your rig can sink
- Back-in sites are more common than pull-throughs in dispersed areas
- Avoid roads rated "high clearance only" — your 18ft should be fine on most maintained forest roads, but don't push it on unmaintained 4x4 routes
- Arrive by early afternoon on weekends — popular free spots fill up by Friday evening in summer
5. Hot Springs Near Campgrounds
Idaho has more natural hot springs than almost any other state. Here are the best ones near camping areas:
Banks / Lowman Corridor
Kirkham Hot Springs ⭐ (Top Pick)
- Location: Right off Banks-Lowman Road, ~1 hour 15 min from Star
- What: Multiple pools along the South Fork Payette River. Mix of hot spring water and cold river water. Stunning waterfall feature.
- Developed? Semi — stone-walled pools, USFS managed.
- Hours: Day use only, 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
- Fee (2026): $5/vehicle day-use fee (changed from free in recent years)
- ⚠️ Adjacent campground is closed: Hot Springs Campground has been closed indefinitely by the USFS due to litter/vandalism. No overnight camping at the springs.
- Crowd level: Popular — weekends get packed. Go early morning or weekday.
- Nearby camping: Pine Flats Campground or Bonneville Campground
Bonneville Hot Springs
- Location: Near Lowman, ~1 hour 45 min from Star
- What: Large hot pool next to Warm Springs Creek. Less crowded than Kirkham.
- Developed? Minimally — natural pools
- Nearby camping: Bonneville Campground (0.5 mile)
Pine Flats Hot Spring
- Location: Banks-Lowman Road, near Pine Flats Campground
- What: Small riverside hot spring pools
- Nearby camping: Pine Flats Campground (walking distance)
Stanley / Sawtooth Area
Sunbeam Hot Springs
- Location: Hwy 75, ~11 miles east of Stanley
- What: Pools along the Salmon River. Mix hot water with river water to find your perfect temp.
- Nearby camping: Multiple Salmon River campgrounds
Stanley Hot Springs (hike-in only)
- Location: 5-mile round trip hike from Boundary Creek trailhead
- What: Remote, gorgeous, multiple terraced pools in a creek. Worth the hike.
Boat Box Hot Spring
- Location: Near Atlanta, Idaho (remote, ~3 hours from Star)
- What: Rock-walled pool right on the Middle Fork Boise River
McCall Area
Gold Fork Hot Springs
- Location: ~30 min south of McCall near Donnelly
- What: Developed commercial hot springs with multiple pools ($8–10 admission)
- Nearby camping: Cascade Reservoir campgrounds
Burgdorf Hot Springs
- Location: ~30 miles north of McCall (dirt road, passable in 18ft but slow)
- What: Historic rustic hot springs. Large main pool. Remote and magical.
- Nearby camping: Dispersed camping near Burgdorf
Sun Valley / Ketchum
Russian John Hot Spring
- Location: Hwy 75, south of Ketchum near Galena Lodge
- What: Small roadside spring. Not the prettiest but convenient.
Frenchman's Bend Hot Spring
- Location: Near Ketchum, along Warm Springs Creek
- What: Easy access, warm pools
⚠️ Hot Springs Etiquette
- Pack out all trash
- No soap, shampoo, or glass containers
- Respect other users' space
- Check water temp before entering (some are scalding at the source)
- Clothing optional is common at remote springs — be respectful either way
6. Activities & Day Trips
Hiking (Top Picks by Area)
| Trail | Location | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|
| Redfish Lake to Alpine Lake | Stanley | 18 mi RT | Moderate-Hard | Alpine lakes, Sawtooth views |
| Sawtooth Lake | Stanley | 10 mi RT | Moderate | Most iconic lake in Idaho |
| Alice-Toxaway Loop | Stanley | 18 mi loop | Hard | Multi-day backpack, jaw-dropping |
| Elk Meadow-Elk Creek | McCall | 6 mi RT | Easy-Moderate | Wildflowers, meadows |
| Stack Rock | Boise NF | 6 mi RT | Moderate | Volcanic rock formation, views |
| Trail Creek Loop | Ketchum | 4 mi loop | Easy | Aspen groves, creek |
Fishing
- Redfish Lake: Sockeye (catch and release only), bull trout, kokanee
- Alturas Lake: Rainbow and brook trout
- Payette Lake (McCall): Mackinaw (lake trout), rainbow, perch
- Anderson Ranch Reservoir: Kokanee, rainbow, smallmouth bass — one of the best fisheries in the state
- South Fork Payette River: Rainbow trout, whitefish (fly fishing)
- Salmon River: Steelhead (fall/winter), trout year-round
- Idaho fishing license: Required, ~$33.50/year for residents. Buy at IDFG.Idaho.gov
Rafting & Floating
- South Fork Payette River (Banks area): Class III-IV whitewater. Multiple outfitters in Banks/Garden Valley.
- Main Payette River (below Banks): Class II-III, more family-friendly
- Salmon River (near Stanley): Class III. Multi-day float trips available. "River of No Return."
- Boise River (Barber Park to Ann Morrison): Class I-II. Easiest float, right from Boise. Tubes, kayaks, rafts.
Mountain Biking
- Fisher Creek Trail System (McCall): Excellent singletrack
- Jug Mountain Ranch (McCall): Lift-served downhill and cross-country
- Galena Lodge trails (Sun Valley): Beautiful Nordic/MTB trails
- Bogus Basin (Boise): Summer lift-served MTB, 30 min from Star
Scenic Drives
- Highway 21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway): Boise → Stanley through Boise NF. Stunning.
- Sawtooth Scenic Byway (Hwy 75): Stanley → Ketchum. Arguably the most beautiful drive in Idaho.
- Banks-Lowman Road: Along the South Fork Payette. Hot springs, river views.
- Hwy 55 to McCall: Follows the Payette River north. Beautiful fall colors.
7. 18ft RV Tips for Idaho
Road Conditions
- Paved highways (21, 55, 75): All fine, well maintained. Some winding mountain passes.
- Maintained forest roads: Usually gravel/dirt, passable in any RV. Watch for washboard and potholes after spring thaw (June).
- Unmaintained forest roads: Scout first. Some are rough — deep ruts, rocks, narrow with no turnarounds. Your 18ft can handle more than a 30-footer, but know your clearance.
- Specific cautions:
- Road to Grandjean: Narrow, dirt, 25-30 min of rough road. Doable in 18ft but go slow.
- Burgdorf road: Passable but slow (30 mph dirt road for 30 min)
- Atlanta road: Long, rough. Not recommended for RVs unless well-maintained that year.
Dump Stations
- Boise: Multiple — Walmart on Eagle Rd, Albertsons BSU area, Flying J on Garrity
- McCall: City dump station near the airport ($5–10)
- Stanley: Community dump station on Hwy 75
- Cascade: Valley County dump station
- Ketchum/Hailey: Wood River dump stations
- Lowman: Gas station may have dump (call ahead)
- Pro tip: Download the Sanidumps app — it maps every dump station in Idaho
Water Fill-Up
- Gas stations in small towns (Lowman, Stanley, Cascade, McCall) usually let you fill up — ask first
- USFS campgrounds with water spigots — bring a hose and fill your tank
- Boise: Fill up at home before heading out
- Gravity-fed mountain spring taps exist along some highways — look for "spring water" signs
Propane Refill
- Star/Boise area: Multiple — U-Haul, Tractor Supply, AmeriGas
- McCall: McCall Building Supply, local hardware stores
- Cascade: Gas stations
- Stanley: Limited — fill up in Boise or Ketchum
- Ketchum/Hailey: Hailey has propane fill stations
Bear Country
- Central Idaho is black bear country (no grizzlies in most camping areas, though they're expanding south from the Selway-Bitterroot)
- Store food in your RV with doors/windows closed — don't leave coolers outside
- Keep a clean camp — trash attracts bears
- Bear spray is cheap insurance ($30–50) — carry it hiking
- Dog food and bird seed are major attractants — keep them sealed
Fire Restrictions
- Check before every trip: Idaho Fire Info (idahofireinfo.com) or call the local Ranger District
- Stage 1: No campfires outside of developed campgrounds with metal fire rings. Camp stoves OK.
- Stage 2: No campfires at all, including developed campgrounds. Camp stoves may be restricted.
- Stage 3: Area closure — no entry.
- Typical timing: Restrictions start mid-July and can last through September
- Bring a camp stove regardless — don't rely on campfires for cooking in Idaho summer
8. Packing Checklist for Dry Camping
Water
- Full fresh water tank before departure
- Extra 5-gallon water jugs (2–3)
- Water filter (Sawyer or Berkey) for creek water backup
- Water-saving spray nozzle for dishes
Power
- Fully charged RV batteries
- Solar panel (100W+ portable recommended)
- Generator (if you have one — check quiet hours at campgrounds)
- LED lights (low power draw)
- Phone charging cables + battery bank
Kitchen
- Propane (full tank + backup small tanks)
- Camp stove (backup to RV stove, cook outside in summer)
- Cooler with ice (supplement RV fridge)
- Biodegradable soap
- Paper plates (saves water on dishes)
- Bear-proof trash bags
Safety & Navigation
- Bear spray
- First aid kit
- Offline maps downloaded (Google Maps, Gaia GPS, or OnX)
- Idaho road atlas (cell service dies fast out here)
- Flashlights / headlamps
- Fire extinguisher
- Tire repair kit + inflator
- Jumper cables or jump pack
Comfort
- Camp chairs + table
- Shade canopy / awning
- Bug spray (mosquitoes near water — June/July peak)
- Sunscreen (high elevation = stronger UV)
- Warm layers (mountain nights drop to 30s–40s even in summer)
- Rain jacket (afternoon thunderstorms)
- Swim gear (lakes, rivers, hot springs!)
- Hammock
RV-Specific
- Leveling blocks
- Wheel chocks
- Extra sewer hose (for dump stations)
- Fresh water hose
- RV-safe toilet paper
- Gray/black tank treatment chemicals
- Basic tool kit
- Duct tape (obviously)
Quick Reference: Best Bets by Vibe
| What You Want | Go Here | Drive Time |
|---|
| Hot springs + camping combo | Banks/Lowman corridor | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Jaw-dropping mountain scenery | Stanley / Sawtooth Valley | 3–3.5 hrs |
| Lake town + amenities nearby | McCall / Payette Lake | 2.5 hrs |
| Free / cheap boondocking | Boise NF dispersed sites | 1–2 hrs |
| Best fishing | Anderson Ranch Reservoir | 2 hrs |
| Fewest people | Warm Lake / Cascade backcountry | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Upscale mountain town access | Sun Valley / Ketchum | 2.5–3 hrs |
Happy camping. 🏕️🦞