Top Camping Spots Near McCarthy, ID: Discover Nature's Best Retreats
Nestled in the breathtaking heart of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, McCarthy, ID offers an array of camping options for adventurers seeking both serenity and stunning natural beauty. For RV enthusiasts, the McCarthy RV Park provides full-hookup sites surrounded by towering pines and the crystal-clear waters of the nearby Salmon River, ensuring a comfortable home base for exploring the rugged landscapes. Tent campers can find a slice of paradise at the Copper Basin Campground, where spacious, shaded sites are set against the backdrop of steep granite peaks and the melodic sounds of local wildlife. For those who crave solitude, dispersed camping in the nearby National Forest areas allows for a truly immersive experience, with many sites offering unobstructed views of the majestic Bitterroot Mountains. Explore the numerous hiking trails that meander through lush forests, leading you to pristine alpine lakes, or take a scenic drive along the historic Salmon River Road, where stunning vistas await at every turn. Whether you're in an RV, pitching a tent, or basking in the tranquility of dispersed spots, camping near McCarthy, ID, promises unforgettable moments in one of Idaho's most remarkable natural settings.
Arid Peak Lookout is located in the St. Joe Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (1 hr 37 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 5,275 feet. The site is normally open from the end of June to the end of September. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Avery Creek Cabin is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (1 hr 5 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,491 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Prices start at $120.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Huckleberry Campground in Kootenai County is located 1 hr 36 min southeast of Coeur d'Alene, ID with an elevation of 2,232 feet. There are a total of 31 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid January to the end of December. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $23.00 to $31.00. Activities include fishing.
Kit Price Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (1 hr 15 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,544 feet. There are a total of 51 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $24.00 to $48.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Berlin Flats Group Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (1 hr 32 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,970 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Prices start at $112.00 per night. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Bumblebee Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (44 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,245 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $24.00 to $112.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Sex Peak Lookout is located in the Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest (2 hrs 49 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 5,792 feet. The site is normally open from the end of June to mid October. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Devils Elbow Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (1 hr 22 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,970 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $24.00 to $92.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include fishing.
Little Guard Lookout is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (1 hr 40 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 5,943 feet. The site is normally open from mid July to mid September. Prices start at $55.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Minton Peak Lookout is located in the Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest (2 hrs 15 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 5,347 feet. The site is normally open from the end of June to mid October. Prices start at $55.00 per night.
Big Hank Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (1 hr 36 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,699 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $24.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Savenac Cookhouse is located in the Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest (1 hr 17 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 3,132 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $115.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Savenac Bunkhouse is located in the Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest (1 hr 17 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 3,132 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of May. Prices start at $115.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Thompson Falls Campground is part of Thompson Falls State Park in Montana (1 hr 55 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,374 feet. There are a total of 18 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the beginning of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 68 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 1 site has electric and water hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Prices start at $18.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing, floating sports.
Up Up Lookout is located in the Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest (1 hr 51 min west of Missoula, MT) with an elevation of 5,912 feet. The site is normally open from mid June to the beginning of October. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Magee Rangers Cabin is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (2 hrs east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 3,003 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid September. Prices start at $100.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Gem Peak Lookout is located in the Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest (2 hrs 44 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 6,082 feet. The site is normally open from the end of June to mid October. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Cougar Peak Lookout is located in the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District, Lolo National Forest (2 hrs 59 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 6,653 feet. The site is normally open from mid June to mid October. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Beauty Creek Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (just 18 min southeast of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,167 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites including 7 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 10 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 44 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $24.00 to $48.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Benewah Campground is part of Heyburn State Park in Idaho (56 min south of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,139 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites including 21 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 16 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 95 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 9 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 6 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 8 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $30.00 to $36.00. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Surveyors Lookout is located in the St. Joe Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (3 hrs 38 min west of Missoula, MT) with an elevation of 6,158 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of August to the end of September. Prices start at $55.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Red Ives Cabin is located in the St. Joe Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (2 hrs 26 min west of Missoula, MT) with an elevation of 3,731 feet. The site is normally open from the end of May to the end of September. Prices start at $100.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Mokins Bay Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (36 min northeast of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,291 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $24.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Chatcolet Campground is part of Heyburn State Park in Idaho (45 min south of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,227 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites including 17 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 19 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 44 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 9 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, boat ramp, swimming, marina, picnic table, restroom, trash dumpster, flush toilets, water sports rental. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Hawley's Landing Campground is part of Heyburn State Park in Idaho (44 min south of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,597 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites including 10 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to the beginning of November. 39 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 32 and 101 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 9 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 7 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 32 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $30.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, restroom, flush toilets.
Bull River Guard Station is located in the Cabinet Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest (1 hr 54 min east of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,312 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $75.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Bell Bay Campground is located in the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests (54 min south of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,505 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites including 5 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 8 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $24.00 to $112.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Snowberry Campground is part of Farragut State Park in Idaho (34 min northeast of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,394 feet. There are a total of 42 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 95 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 9 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. All sites have electric and water hookups. Prices start at $37.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
Whitetail Campground is part of Farragut State Park in Idaho (34 min northeast of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 2,226 feet. There are a total of 60 campsites. The campground is open all year. 57 sites can accommodate RVs between 30 and 135 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 9 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $31.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
Bald Mountain Lookout is located in the Palouse Ranger District, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest (2 hrs 14 min south of Coeur d'Alene, ID) with an elevation of 5,325 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of July to the beginning of October. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking trails.
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