Summer is the perfect time for camping! Kids are out of school and the weather is just right. Totally Boise got together and made a list of their favorite camping spots, 3 hours or under from Boise. Awesome camping spots, close to home? Sounds like the perfect getaway to us. So, grab your tent, sleeping bag, and French Press- we are going camping!
This state park is located just outside of Mountain Home, ID, which is roughly an hour’s drive from Boise. It boasts the “tallest single-structured sand dune in North America!” The camping location provides two cabins to rent, as well as multitude of camping spots. Opportunities for family fun include: stargazing from the observatory, dune skiing, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and swimming in the lake. Another popular activity is climbing the sand dunes, but no vehicles are allowed on the dunes.
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Approximately two and a half hours away from Boise, Warm Lake Campground is another office favorite. This spot includes activities such as biking, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, and more. The facility permits access to the lake, grills, and bathrooms, drinking water, and tent pads- allowing more comfort. Another amenity at the site is a beach just over a mile from the campground;a perfect place for swimming and having a family picnic. There are a few things one must know before you go, but the most important is bears are frequent in the area.
For more information and regulations, click here.
Image Credit: Idaho Campground Review
This campground is approximately two hours from Boise, and located 25 miles north of Garden Valley, ID, in Peace Valley. This is a top spot for hiking, mountain biking, and ATV riding. There is a hot springs pool and a creek to fish, with access to the creek from the campground. A fellow Totally Boise team member mentioned that you can sometimes hear wolves howling to each other from opposite ridges! This spot provides grills, drinking water, a playground, parking, picnic shelters, bathrooms, campfire rings, and lastly a store just in case you forgot any supplies!
For more information and regulations, click here.
Image Credit: Amber Hawton-Hill
Located in the Sawtooth National Forest, about three hours away from Boise, this campsite is family friendly with camping spots that have views of the lake. There are many hiking trails such as Alpine Way and Bench Lake Trails. Along with hiking, make sure to canoe, kayak, and fish on Redfish Lake! The campground provides drinking water, bathrooms, and lake access. If you want to continue exploring, head over to Redfish Lake Lodge where they offer mooring services, lake tours, and kayak rentals!
For more information and regulations, click here.
Image Credit: Outdoor Project
Just a roughly two-hour drive, 20 miles from Idaho City, Black Rock Campground completes our list of camping spots! Sitting on the banks of the North Fork Boise River, this campground allows fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, hiking, and horseback riding trails. There are several single-family campsites, bathroom access, as well as trash collection, grills, and drinking water. With that, large groups are not allowed to use the campsite. This includes family reunions, club outings, events, etc. We suggest keeping it strictly in the immediate family due to only two sites can be reserved per family.
For more information and regulations, click here.
Image Credit: Idaho Campground Review