Dispersed Camping in Idaho

Dispersed Camping in Idaho

Idaho is mostly public land, with free dispersed camping across BLM rangeland and big national forests like the Payette, Boise, Sawtooth and Salmon-Challis. This guide groups the 53 Idaho dispersed spots listed on Camping In The USA by who manages the land, and sums up the official rules. Always check the managing office for current road, fire and closure orders before you go.

The rules in one minute

• BLM land: Dispersed camping is generally limited to 14 days in a 28-day period. After that you must move at least 25 miles away and not return for 28 days. Idaho BLM also has stricter rules on unattended property than other states. (BLM Idaho camping guidelines)
• National forests: Payette, Boise, Sawtooth, Salmon-Challis and Nez Perce-Clearwater each set their own stay limits and closures. Dispersed sites have no toilets, water or trash service. Check the forest's MVUM before driving spur roads.
• Permits: Most dispersed areas need no permit or reservation. Some river corridors and wilderness areas do, so check with the managing office.
• Fire: Restrictions change through summer; use existing rings and drown fires completely.
• Bring water. Most of these spots have no potable water.

BLM land

• Agency Creek: about 5 miles from Tendoy, about 5,450 ft.
• BLM – Owyhee Canyonlands Dispersed: about 4,300 ft.
• Bayhorse: about 8 miles from Challis, about 5,290 ft.
• Birch Creek: about 24 miles from Mud Lake, about 5,680 ft.
• Boulder White Clouds: about 34 miles from Challis, about 6,100 ft.
• Cottonwood Rec Site - Salmon River: about 14 miles from Challis, about 4,680 ft.
• Cove - C. J. Strike Reservoir: about 8 miles from Bruneau, about 2,460 ft.
• Deadman Hole Dispersed: about 11 miles from Challis, about 5,250 ft.
• East Fork: about 17 miles from Challis, about 5,400 ft.
• Owyhee Canyonlands Backroads.

Payette National Forest

• Kiwanis Campground: about 18 miles from Weiser.
• McCall – Goose Lake/Brundage Road.
• McCall – Warren Wagon Road.
• Payette NF – Burgdorf Hot Springs vicinity: about 5,800 ft.
• Payette NF – Warren Wagon Road Dispersed: about 5,900 ft.

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

• Cedars Campground: about 24 miles from Superior.
• Halfway House Campground: about 41 miles from Grangeville.
• North Fork Slate Creek Campground: about 20 miles from Grangeville.

Sawtooth National Forest

• Bear Creek Transfer Camp: about 27 miles from Fairfield.
• Sawtooth NF – Redfish Lake vicinity (outside recreation sites): about 6,500 ft.

Boise National Forest

• Boise NF – Mores Creek Rim Sites: about 6,000 ft.
• Boise NF – Shaw Mountain Road Dispersed: about 7,000 ft.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

• Eightmile Camping Area: about 20 miles from Challis.
• Reservoir Creek Campground: about 45 miles from Dillon.

Other national forest spots

• Clearwater NF – Lochsa Corridor Dispersed: about 2,000 ft.

More spots

• Boise – Mores Creek Summit Roads.
• Caribou-Targhee – Island Park Dispersed: about 6,200 ft.
• Fourth of July/Tin Cup Basin.
• Frank Church – River of No Return backcountry roads: about 3,800 ft.
• Hells Canyon Rim Roads.
• Island Park – Reas Pass Vicinity.
• Ketchum – Trail Creek and Corral Creek.
• Lolo Motorway FS 500.
• Mesa Falls Scenic Corridor.
• Middle Fork Payette Corridor.
• Owyhee – Mud Flat/Juniper Mountain Road.
• Palouse – Upper St. Joe River Road.
• Panhandle – Coeur d'Alene River Dispersed: about 2,200 ft.
• Panther Creek Canyon Road.
• Payette – Lick Creek/Yellow Pine Road.
• Payette – South Fork Salmon Rd.
• Payette – Warm Lake Backroads.
• Priest Lake Backroads.
• Priest River – Granite Pass Roads.
• Riggins – Salmon River Road Pullouts.
• Salmon – Williams Creek Road.
• Salmon-Challis – Pahsimeroi Road Sites: about 5,400 ft.
• Sawtooth – Redfish Lake Road Spurs.
• Sawtooth – Salmon River Dispersed: about 6,300 ft.
• Sawtooth – Stanley Creek/FS 653.
• Sawtooth – Stanley Lake Creek Road Dispersed: about 6,500 ft.
• Stanley Lake Road Pullouts.
• Teton Valley – Horseshoe Canyon Roads.

Before you go

Get the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) for any national forest you visit, since it shows which roads are open and where roadside camping is allowed. Check fire restrictions, which change often in summer.

See all Idaho campsites.