Free Boondocking in Idaho

Sawtooth National Recreation Area

The Sawtooth NRA in central Idaho is one of the most spectacular landscapes in the American West — jagged granite peaks, over 40 mountain lakes, and the headwaters of four major rivers. Dispersed camping is allowed on forest roads throughout the NRA.

• Stanley Basin: The main base area at 6,200 ft. Cold nights even in July — bring layers. Forest roads north and south of Stanley provide dispersed sites.
• Salmon River corridor: Below Stanley, dispersed camping along forest roads following the Salmon River.
• Galena Summit area: High-elevation meadow camping south of Stanley. Accessible late June through September.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Over 4 million acres of central Idaho wilderness and mountain terrain — the largest contiguous national forest land area in the lower 48. Extremely remote, extremely rewarding.

• Salmon River Mountains: Virtually endless forest road camping opportunities. Roads require high-clearance vehicles in many areas.
• Lemhi Range: Less visited than the Sawtooths. Excellent dispersed camping with similar mountain scenery.
• Pahsimeroi Valley: Remote valley east of the Lemhi Range. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and forest land, good early/late season access at lower elevation.

Boise National Forest

The Boise NF is one of the most accessible national forests for Boise-area residents and traveling RVers coming through on I-84. Forest road camping is available throughout.

• Idaho City area: Historic gold mining district northeast of Boise. Forest roads off ID-21 provide dispersed camping through ponderosa pine forest.
• Lowman / Banks corridor: South Fork Payette River area. Lower elevation, accessible earlier in the season. Hot springs nearby.
• Trinity Mountains: Remote high-country camping. High-clearance required. Beautiful alpine terrain.

Payette National Forest & Hells Canyon

West-central Idaho's Payette NF borders the Snake River and provides access to the deepest river gorge in North America — Hells Canyon.

• McCall area: Forest road camping around Payette Lake and into the surrounding mountains. Good family-friendly dispersed sites.
• Hells Canyon NRA: The canyon rim roads provide spectacular dispersed camping above the Snake River. Most roads require high-clearance 4WD.

BLM Southwest Idaho — Snake River Plain

The Snake River Plain BLM land is often overlooked but provides year-round camping at lower elevations when mountain forests are snowed in.

• Owyhee Canyonlands: Remote BLM canyon country in southwest Idaho and northeast Oregon. Spectacular geology, almost no visitors. High-clearance required for most interior roads.
• City of Rocks NR: BLM-managed granite spire country near Almo. Dispersed camping outside the national reserve boundaries.

Rules & Regulations

• National forest: 16-day stay limit in Idaho (slightly longer than most western states)
• BLM: standard 14-day stay limit
• Fire restrictions are common July–September — check InciWeb
• Bear country throughout — food storage required in some areas
• Many forest roads don't open until late June — check with the specific ranger district before going

Resources

• BLM Idaho State Office
• Salmon-Challis National Forest
• Sawtooth National Forest / NRA
• Boise National Forest