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
Camping Spots (25)
Stanley Lake Road Pullouts
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.
McCall – Warren Wagon Road
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.
Lolo Motorway FS 500
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.
Mesa Falls Scenic Corridor
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.
Hells Canyon Rim Roads
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.
Middle Fork Payette Corridor
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.
Fourth of July/Tin Cup Basin
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.
Panther Creek Canyon Road
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.
Owyhee Canyonlands Backroads
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.
Priest Lake Backroads
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.
Sawtooth – Stanley Creek/FS 653
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.
Payette – South Fork Salmon Rd
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.
Sawtooth – Redfish Lake Road Spurs
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.
Ketchum – Trail Creek and Corral Creek
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.
Boise – Mores Creek Summit Roads
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.
McCall – Goose Lake/Brundage Road
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.
Palouse – Upper St. Joe River Road
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.
Priest River – Granite Pass Roads
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.
Salmon – Williams Creek Road
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.
Island Park – Reas Pass Vicinity
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.
Owyhee – Mud Flat/Juniper Mountain Road
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.
Riggins – Salmon River Road Pullouts
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.
Teton Valley – Horseshoe Canyon Roads
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.
Payette – Lick Creek/Yellow Pine Road
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.
Payette – Warm Lake Backroads
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.
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
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.