Helende Campground, Lowman, ID

Helende Campground is located in the Lowman Ranger District of the Boise National Forest (1 hr 54 min northeast of Boise, ID) with an elevation of 4,186 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 65 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $12.00 to $24.00. Some amenities include drinking water, accessible, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include ohv trails nearby, ohv allowed from campsite.

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Campsites Available Tonight, Sep 19, 2024 10 FF*

Site	Status	Driveway	Length	Price
#1	First-come	Back-In	45 ft	$12
#2	First-come	Back-In	30 ft	$12
#3	First-come	Back-In	50 ft	$12
#4	First-come	Back-In	60 ft	$12
#5	First-come	Back-In	25 ft	$12
#6	First-come	Back-In	60 ft	$12
#7	First-come	Back-In	30 ft	$12
#8	First-come	Back-In	65 ft	$12
#9	First-come	Back-In	35 ft	$24
#10	First-come	Back-In	30 ft	$12

Campsites Available This Weekend, Sep 20, 2024 or Sep 21, 2024 10 FF*

Site	Status	Driveway	Length	Price
#1	First-come	Back-In	45 ft	$12
#2	First-come	Back-In	30 ft	$12
#3	First-come	Back-In	50 ft	$12
#4	First-come	Back-In	60 ft	$12
#5	First-come	Back-In	25 ft	$12
#6	First-come	Back-In	60 ft	$12
#7	First-come	Back-In	30 ft	$12
#8	First-come	Back-In	65 ft	$12
#9	First-come	Back-In	35 ft	$24
#10	First-come	Back-In	30 ft	$12

Campsite Reviews (30)

4.4 out of 5

5 star		70%
4 star		13%
3 star		10%
2 star		0%
1 star		7%

@KyleW8796375 · Camped on Aug 10, 2024 at Campsite #8

Campground was small, quiet and well maintained. Host was very knowledgeable, friendly.

@KristenB526611 · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #1

Im so sad. Half of the trees have been cut down or are marked to be cut down. It seems like theyre building another campground right behind this one and it just wont fit. Very little privacy. Bathrooms were awful on the first day. Someone created a small fire pit out of rocks next to the fire pit and the campsite was a mess. Branches and pine needles everywhere. We spent thirty minutes raking it away from the fire and clearing a spot for the tent. All in all Helende isnt what it used to be. So bummed.

@DaveM7344120 · Camped on Sep 2, 2023 at Campsite #8

Nice peaceful setting, very large sites, beautiful stretch of river nearby, campground host was helpful. We enjoyed our stay very much. Only negative was no potable water because contamination had been detected in the well, and the pump was deactivated until the well tests clear again. It made the water situation a bit inconvenient, and this information could have been posted on the site or emailed to people making bookings.

@TrinityN6A9B76 · Camped on Aug 25, 2023 at Campsite #9

The camp host was really rude and nosey. The campground was awesome tho

@HeatherS702716 · Camped on Jul 14, 2023 at Campsite #10

It gets cold at night even in July at this elevation. Remember to look for Kirkham hot springs and don't go where the big white and black sign says hot Springs pool with an arrow pointing uphill. That's private land. The campground host was friendly and helpful.

@HeatherO583711 · Camped on Aug 5, 2022 at Campsite #7

This was a great campsite. Very quiet and just a short walk to the river. Would love to go back.

@JeralynM453052 · Camped on Jul 13, 2022 at Campsite #1

What an absolutely beautiful, idyllic spot to go camping. We loved being in such a secluded campground. We were at 001, and we thought that that spot, or 003 were the best of them all. It was close to the river, had some nice tree cover, and the campsite and bathroom were clean and well maintained. We went during a brutal heat wave, so that was miserable because we went with young children and there was little relief from the sun. At the hottest times of the day I did wish there was more shade. But we loved the chipmunk visitors, the proximity to the river, the peace and quiet, and the view!! It was so gorgeous to look out around us into the forest. I’m truly glad we went to Helende. Oh I almost forgot - the campsite is absolutely filthy … with dirt. Our feet were brown all day and night, and anything that went near the ground was covered with powder-fine dirt. So get ready to be dirty! But it’s easy to clean when you get home.

@MichaelO142645 · Camped on Jun 23, 2022 at Campsite #3

Dave the camp host was great! We had a wonderful time. We rented the whole campground for a family reunion and enjoyed our time together immensely!

@KrisG2032270 · Camped on Jun 17, 2022 at Campsite #8

Greatly enjoyed this campground. The host had perfect balance running the place. The generators turned on and off at reasonable hours. No prolonged barking dogs. A few short trails right out of the campground. Clean bathrooms and well run.

@SusanS9297654 · Camped on Jun 14, 2022 at Campsite #3

First time at Helende. Sites are nicely spaced and very clean. Camp was full both nights we were there, but it was very quiet and everyone was well behaved. The South Fork of the Payette is just a short walk from the camp. Camp host clearly keeps things clean and tidy, he also has a great personality. Only complaint was the water pump. It was hard to use and appeared to need some maintenance. Fix the water pump and Helende is just about the perfect campground for a few days of rest and relaxation.

@AndyB1366086 · Camped on May 25, 2022 at Campsite #1

This was our first stay. We really liked it and will return. Very quiet. Nice walks to the river.

@AnthonyQ699379 · Camped on May 21, 2022 at Campsite #1

Camp host was excellent. Campsite was cleanable and the bathrooms were the best we have ever used.

@KimH4415877 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #2

This is a nice, clean, quiet campground. Not great river access, but nice anyway. We were surprised that they allowed campfires. We thought there was a burn ban but there was one group having a fire.

@KimH282 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #2

This is a nice, clean, quiet campground. Not great river access, but nice anyway. We were surprised that they allowed campfires. We thought there was a burn ban but there was one group having a fire.

@CollinB892 · Camped on Jul 12, 2021 at Campsite #5

Had a great time and enjoyed the open space.

@CollinB3459490 · Camped on Jul 12, 2021 at Campsite #5

Had a great time and enjoyed the open space.

@CourtneyH67862 · Camped on Jul 3, 2021 at Campsite #2

Great little campground! Short drive to the river with very few people, great fishing!

@CourtneyH301 · Camped on Jul 3, 2021 at Campsite #2

Great little campground! Short drive to the river with very few people, great fishing!

@RobertG487 · Camped on Jun 28, 2021 at Campsite #3

Great trip

@MelanieM606 · Camped on Jun 17, 2021 at Campsite #7

When I made my reservation in February 2021 (for June 2021), the camping sites could not be reserved over the weekend. The notification was that each site was first come first served over the weekends. I reserved Thursday night with the expectation of reserving Friday and Saturday nights upon arriving on Thursday. However, when we arrived on Thursday, all sites had been reserved for the weekend by one person. We went to the Lowman Ranger station to ask for an explanation. They were apologetic and said it was a problem with Recreation.gov. We had additional family members coming to join us, but there wasn't even service at the Ranger station so that we could call and cancel the camping weekend. I don't expect we will return to the Helende campground.

@RichardH824 · Camped on Jun 16, 2021 at Campsite #2

The facilities were very clean and the campground was well maintained.

@scottr208 · Camped on Jun 13, 2021 at Campsite #8

Beautiful stand of Ponderosa Pine and close to river access. Very clean park.

@MarkB607 · Camped on Jun 5, 2021 at Campsite #3

Fantastic campsite, clean bathrooms, very quite, and a great host.

@LorenaE602 · Camped on Aug 31, 2020 at Campsite #1

Awesome site, very large and well maintained. Word of warning- the water available at the site is a drinking fountain style set up, which makes filling bottles and pots tricky.

@JohannaC235 · Camped on Aug 11, 2020 at Campsite #8

Great spot right by highway 21 but not too loud. Close to Kirkham hot springs. River access far but nice.

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