Free camping and dispersed camping locations in Idaho - 25 primitive campsites and boondocking spots across Mountains, Forests, Lakes, Rivers, Wilderness terrain

Free Camping in Idaho

Discover 25 free and dispersed camping spots

Best Seasons

Summer, Fall

Climate

Continental with cold winters and warm summers

Terrain

Mountains, Forests

Free Spots

25 locations

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Camping Spots (25)

Stanley Lake Road Pullouts
DispersedModerate

Stanley Lake Road Pullouts

4.320878400383486(23)

Free dispersed camping around Sawtooth NRA, Idaho. Lodgepole forest near alpine lake with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Stanley Lake. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Bears; store food Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

9,204 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
McCall – Warren Wagon Road
DispersedModerate

McCall – Warren Wagon Road

4.17454847749933(112)

Free dispersed camping around Payette NF, Idaho. Canyon creeks and ponderosa benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Secesh/Upper Payette. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Spring thaw mud Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

2,835 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Lolo Motorway FS 500
DispersedModerate

Lolo Motorway FS 500

4.724935173479325(82)

Free dispersed camping around Nez Perce–Clearwater, Idaho. Historic ridge road with big views with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Lochsa/Powell. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Remote, rough Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

3,231 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Mesa Falls Scenic Corridor
DispersedModerate

Mesa Falls Scenic Corridor

4.08686782354881(109)

Free dispersed camping around Caribou–Targhee NF, Idaho. Lodgepole flats and river benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Mesa Falls. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Bugs in early summer Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

3,011 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Hells Canyon Rim Roads
DispersedModerate

Hells Canyon Rim Roads

4.120529246007353(24)

Free dispersed camping around Wallowa‑Whitman/Payette, Idaho. Rim roads with canyon vistas with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Hells Canyon. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Steep grades Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,404 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Middle Fork Payette Corridor
DispersedModerate

Middle Fork Payette Corridor

4.636846113579748(41)

Free dispersed camping around Boise NF, Idaho. River pullouts and pine benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Crouch/Garden Valley. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Fire restrictions common Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,239 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Fourth of July/Tin Cup Basin
DispersedModerate

Fourth of July/Tin Cup Basin

4.475724575531858(72)

Free dispersed camping around Sawtooth NF, Idaho. Alpine basins and creek pullouts with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Salmon River headwaters. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Cold nights Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

5,094 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Panther Creek Canyon Road
DispersedModerate

Panther Creek Canyon Road

4.372408973424286(83)

Free dispersed camping around Salmon–Challis NF, Idaho. Canyon road along alpine stream with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Shoup/Panther Creek. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Rockfall possible Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

5,593 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Owyhee Canyonlands Backroads
DispersedModerate

Owyhee Canyonlands Backroads

4.8432423712185475(107)

Free dispersed camping around BLM Owyhee, Idaho. Sagebrush basins and rim canyons with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Succor Creek/Jordan Craters. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Very remote Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,720 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Priest Lake Backroads
DispersedModerate

Priest Lake Backroads

4.293401201903773(112)

Free dispersed camping around Idaho Panhandle NF, Idaho. Cedars, lakes and creek benches with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Priest Lake. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Bears; store food Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,500 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Sawtooth – Stanley Creek/FS 653
DispersedModerate

Sawtooth – Stanley Creek/FS 653

4.423011803994182(104)

Free dispersed camping around Sawtooth NF, Idaho. Creekside pullouts and meadows with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by Stanley Creek. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Popular in summer Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,114 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Payette – South Fork Salmon Rd
DispersedModerate

Payette – South Fork Salmon Rd

4.6327305841002415(98)

Free dispersed camping around Payette NF, Idaho. River corridor pullouts with space for established pullouts and a few level clearings by South Fork Salmon. Primitive conditions with no trash pickup or hookups. Narrow shelf roads Arrive early to claim a legal, existing site, pack out all waste, and verify current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

8,737 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Sawtooth – Redfish Lake Road Spurs
DispersedModerate

Sawtooth – Redfish Lake Road Spurs

4.18377203113529(80)

Free dispersed camping at Sawtooth – Redfish Lake Road Spurs in Idaho. Lodgepole forests and lake views with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Redfish Lake. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Busy peak season Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

2,850 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Ketchum – Trail Creek and Corral Creek
DispersedModerate

Ketchum – Trail Creek and Corral Creek

4.6237470755713765(117)

Free dispersed camping at Ketchum – Trail Creek and Corral Creek in Idaho. Foothill sage and aspen with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Trail Creek. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Dusty; cyclists Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

6,191 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Boise – Mores Creek Summit Roads
DispersedModerate

Boise – Mores Creek Summit Roads

4.722134660525759(100)

Free dispersed camping at Boise – Mores Creek Summit Roads in Idaho. Subalpine fir and ridges with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Mores Creek. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Snow late season Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

3,880 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
McCall – Goose Lake/Brundage Road
DispersedModerate

McCall – Goose Lake/Brundage Road

4.167591774218026(39)

Free dispersed camping at McCall – Goose Lake/Brundage Road in Idaho. Ponderosa forests and lakes with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Brundage and Goose Lake. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Steep grades Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

4,961 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Palouse – Upper St. Joe River Road
DispersedModerate

Palouse – Upper St. Joe River Road

4.60525026375039(30)

Free dispersed camping at Palouse – Upper St. Joe River Road in Idaho. River corridor and cedar groves with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Upper St. Joe. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Bugs early summer Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

4,527 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Priest River – Granite Pass Roads
DispersedModerate

Priest River – Granite Pass Roads

4.649180805341317(76)

Free dispersed camping at Priest River – Granite Pass Roads in Idaho. High passes and cedar forests with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Granite Pass. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Snow into June Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

9,933 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Salmon – Williams Creek Road
DispersedModerate

Salmon – Williams Creek Road

4.4127739998338145(82)

Free dispersed camping at Salmon – Williams Creek Road in Idaho. Sage foothills and creek beds with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Williams Creek. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Rockfall possible Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,301 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Island Park – Reas Pass Vicinity
DispersedModerate

Island Park – Reas Pass Vicinity

4.371000501477642(119)

Free dispersed camping at Island Park – Reas Pass Vicinity in Idaho. Lodgepole flats and willow bottoms with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Reas Pass. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Mosquitoes heavy Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,218 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Owyhee – Mud Flat/Juniper Mountain Road
DispersedModerate

Owyhee – Mud Flat/Juniper Mountain Road

4.747534551892198(64)

Free dispersed camping at Owyhee – Mud Flat/Juniper Mountain Road in Idaho. Remote sage plateaus and canyons with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Owyhee. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Very remote Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

7,672 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Riggins – Salmon River Road Pullouts
DispersedModerate

Riggins – Salmon River Road Pullouts

4.412482567740081(87)

Free dispersed camping at Riggins – Salmon River Road Pullouts in Idaho. River benches and canyon views with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Salmon River. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Heat in summer Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

9,179 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Teton Valley – Horseshoe Canyon Roads
DispersedModerate

Teton Valley – Horseshoe Canyon Roads

4.198629096571988(78)

Free dispersed camping at Teton Valley – Horseshoe Canyon Roads in Idaho. Aspen slopes and farm-to-forest edges with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Horseshoe Canyon. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Private parcels nearby Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

2,910 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Payette – Lick Creek/Yellow Pine Road
DispersedModerate

Payette – Lick Creek/Yellow Pine Road

4.747776337973391(25)

Free dispersed camping at Payette – Lick Creek/Yellow Pine Road in Idaho. Granite peaks and creek pullouts with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Lick Creek. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Narrow shelf roads Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

4,972 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
Payette – Warm Lake Backroads
DispersedModerate

Payette – Warm Lake Backroads

4.3794568111974055(76)

Free dispersed camping at Payette – Warm Lake Backroads in Idaho. Pine forests and lake benches with informal pullouts and some level clearings near Warm Lake. Primitive conditions with no hookups or trash service. Busy on holidays Arrive early, use established sites, pack out all waste, and check current fire restrictions and seasonal road closures.

2,888 ft
High-clearance recommended
No water
poor
Best: Spring, Summer, Fall
Fire rings
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Popular Camping Areas

  • Sawtooth National Forest
  • Boise National Forest
  • Payette National Forest

Important Regulations

  • Seasonal closures due to snow
  • Fire restrictions common
  • Wilderness permits required

Permits: Most dispersed camping is free, wilderness areas require permits

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Complete Guide to Free Camping in Idaho

Idaho offers pristine wilderness camping with rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and extensive national forest lands perfect for dispersed camping.

Best Free Camping Areas in Idaho

Idaho offers diverse free camping opportunities across mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, wilderness. The most popular areas include Sawtooth National Forest, Boise National Forest, Payette National Forest, each offering unique landscapes and camping experiences.

When to Visit Idaho for Camping

The best times for free camping in Idaho are during summer, fall. The state's continental with cold winters and warm summers means weather conditions vary throughout the year, so planning your visit during optimal seasons ensures the best camping experience.

Idaho Camping Regulations

Before camping in Idaho, it's important to understand local regulations. Most dispersed camping is free, wilderness areas require permitsMost dispersed camping follows standard federal guidelines, but some areas may have specific restrictions.

What to Expect

Free camping in Idaho typically involves camping on public lands managed by the Forest Service, BLM, or state agencies. Expect primitive conditions with no hookups, but incredible natural beauty and the freedom to explore mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, wilderness at your own pace.