Top 10 Camping Spots Near Bates, ID: Discover Nature's Best in Idaho's Outdoors
Nestled in the scenic landscapes of southeastern Idaho, Bates, ID, offers a plethora of camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. With the majestic foothills of the Bitterroot Range nearby, visitors can immerse themselves in the region's stunning natural beauty while choosing from various camping styles. For RV adventurers, the nearby Mackay Bar Ranch provides full hookups and breathtaking views, making it a perfect base for exploring the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Tent campers can enjoy serene spots such as Bates Campground, where they can pitch their tents alongside tranquil streams and lush pine forests, perfect for family gatherings or solo retreats. For those seeking solitude, dispersed camping is a great option: venture into the remote areas of the Challis National Forest, where you’ll discover quiet site selections with incredible wildlife sightings and starry night skies. Whether you prefer the comfort of RV amenities or the rustic charm of tent camping, Bates, ID, serves as an idyllic gateway to unforgettable outdoor adventures.

















Mike Harris Campground is located in the Teton Basin Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 19 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,557 feet. There are a total of 27 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 40 feet. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $17.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Trail Creek Campground is located in the Teton Basin Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 19 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,690 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $17.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Reunion Flat Campground is located in the Teton Basin Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 29 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,864 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 7 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $17.00 to $60.00. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Teton Canyon Campground is located in the Teton Basin Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 34 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,957 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 12 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 99 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $17.00 to $34.00. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Falls Campground is located in the Palisades Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (51 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,286 feet. There are a total of 25 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 24 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 120 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Table Rock Campground is located in the Palisades Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (46 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,744 feet. The site is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Prices start at $60.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Jenny Lake Campground is part of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming (2 hrs 19 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,825 feet. There are a total of 47 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of June to the end of September. Max equipment length is 14 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 with grill. Prices start at $49.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, general store, restroom, trash dumpster, firewood, ice, gift shop, flush toilets. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Calamity Campground is located in the Palisades Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 15 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,663 feet. There are a total of 40 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. 37 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 99 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Big Elk Campground is located in the Palisades Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 9 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,648 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 50 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 $60.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Gros Ventre Campground is part of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming (2 hrs 5 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,578 feet. There are a total of 308 campsites including 34 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. 271 sites can accommodate RVs between 13 and 51 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 with grill. 35 sites have electric hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $57.00 to $570.00. Some amenities include dump station, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing.
Squirrel Meadows Cabin is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 39 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,430 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Activities include biking, horseback riding.
Warm River Campground is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 4 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,298 feet. There are a total of 25 campsites including 10 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 15 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. 2 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $75.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Signal Mountain Campground is part of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming (2 hrs 32 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,839 feet. There are a total of 79 campsites including 12 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 67 sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 32 feet. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 24 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $45.00 to $77.00. Some amenities include boat ramp, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Grand View Campground is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 11 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,925 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs between 35 and 65 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $26.00 to $52.00. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Atherton Creek Campground is located in the Jackson Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest (2 hrs 23 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,928 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 22 and 30 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, boat ramp, picnic table, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing.
Alpine North Loop Campground is located in the Palisades Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 17 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,697 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 60 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. Fees range from $20.00 to $60.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Warm River Cabin is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 26 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,781 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Little Cottonwood Group is located in the Jackson Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest (1 hr 23 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,758 feet. The site is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Prices start at $100.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Caribou Mountain Guard Station is located in the Soda Springs Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 30 min southeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,435 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $60.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Station Creek Campground is located in the Jackson Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest (1 hr 29 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 5,810 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the beginning of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $100.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Headwaters Campground & RV Park in Teton County is located 3 hrs northeast of Idaho Falls, ID with an elevation of 6,844 feet. There are a total of 165 campsites including 39 cabins. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. 133 sites can accommodate RVs between 13 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 94 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $52.00 to $102.00. Some amenities include shower, general store, laundry facility, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Riverside (Island Park) Campground is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 9 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,108 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid September. 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 $20.00 to $50.00. Activities include fishing.
Mccain Cabin is located in the Greys River Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest (2 hrs 34 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,889 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Deer Creek Cabin is located in the Greys River Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest (1 hr 52 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,271 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Bishop Mountain Cabin is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 43 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 7,805 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Lewis Lake Campground is part of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming (3 hrs 13 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 7,800 feet. There are a total of 82 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid June to mid October. 79 sites can accommodate RVs between 12 and 25 feet. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include drinking water, boat ramp, picnic table, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Hoback Guard Station is located in the Big Piney Ranger District, Bridger-Teton National Forest (2 hrs 5 min east of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,659 feet. The site is normally open from the end of May to the end of October. Prices start at $80.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports, rock climbing.
Buffalo Campground is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 18 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,303 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 60 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 with grill. 19 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $80.00. Some amenities include restroom, amphitheater. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Buttermilk Campground is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 27 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,334 feet. There are a total of 21 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 45 and 50 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. Fees range from $20.00 to $65.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Mccrea Bridge Campground is located in the Ashton/Island Park Ranger District, Caribou-Targhee National Forest (1 hr 23 min northeast of Idaho Falls, ID) with an elevation of 6,339 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid September. 16 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 99 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $40.00. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.