The best campgrounds near Lava Hot Springs, Idaho with wildlife watching

Looking to immerse yourself in the great outdoors near Lava Hot Springs, Idaho? With over 666 options available specifically for wildlife watching, Hipcamp has got you covered. Whether you're a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or just starting to explore the wonders of nature, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your needs. Check out top-rated campsites like The Aspen Grove Inn at Heise Bridge (252 reviews), Mountain Top Getaways (118 reviews), and Bear Lake Aquatics Base (124 reviews) to see what other campers have loved. Plus, with popular amenities like potable water, pet-friendly spaces, and toilets, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. And with activities like boating, climbing, and hiking nearby, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore the stunning wilderness. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable wildlife watching experience!

96% (625)

Top-rated campgrounds

Photo of site #6. Very easy to get to, very private and what a view!!

Looking to immerse yourself in the great outdoors near Lava Hot Springs, Idaho? With over 666 options available specifically for wildlife watching, Hipcamp has got you covered. Whether you're a seasoned wildlife enthusiast or just starting to explore the wonders of nature, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your needs. Check out top-rated campsites like The Aspen Grove Inn at Heise Bridge (252 reviews), Mountain Top Getaways (118 reviews), and Bear Lake Aquatics Base (124 reviews) to see what other campers have loved. Plus, with popular amenities like potable water, pet-friendly spaces, and toilets, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. And with activities like boating, climbing, and hiking nearby, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore the stunning wilderness. So pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable wildlife watching experience!

96% (625)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Mountain Top Getaways

97%

(398)

40mi from Lava Hot Springs · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · Preston, ID

My Grandfather owned this property for many years. He dry farmed this land and raised nine children to be hardworking. I visited this property many times to work along side my father and grandfather. I remember horseback riding and building a shed for my grandfathers combine. I recently purchased this property from my grandparents and got to work building my tiny home that my new family lives in. Learn more about this land: **New hammock posts on site #4** These campsites are at the mouth of Cub River Canyon. The views are expansive and beautiful. National forest is only a few minute drive away along with a handful of reservoirs and river access. Come enjoy the views. These are primitive campsites with no potable water. There are antique farm implements visible on the property.

2. Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

93%

(119)

43mi from Lava Hot Springs · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Franklin, ID

This property was used by the Shoshone Indian tribe as a summer camp area. Later after the pioneers came they set up a dance floor and had parties here. The dance floor has since overgrown. This property has also been the host to never dams. It has been in our family for many years and we have enjoyed it.Learn more about this land:The campsites are located in a wooded area so lots of shade. 2 sites are creek side along maple creek and the other has a small stream and a pond. All sites have a fire pit available. All sites are carry in carry out. Easily accessible with a four wheel drive. You will need to cross maple creek to reach site 1. The road down to the river bottoms is a bit steep so 4 wheel drive is recommended. This area is ideal for tent camping.

3. Secret Canyon Ranch

99%

(75)

29mi from Lava Hot Springs · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Malad City, ID

Meadow Springs campground lies at the foot of the Elkhorn hills, on St. John’s bench in SE Idaho. Surrounded by open fields and accessible only by dirt road, this unique spot is located next to two small natural ponds, and as such, is a terrific spot for bird watching and golden sunsets. It is the site of an old homestead, and the surrounding land is still actively farmed, so you can look out over open fields of this year’s crop as you enjoy dinner and quiet evenings in the fresh air.Whether you come as a single family for an adventurous night outdoors, or as a group with one to several tents or RV’s, this site has room to accommodate and is far enough away to be remote, (no neighbors!) while still close enough to town and other attractions to be convenient.--10 minutes from downtown Malad (Picture a small Idaho town with no stoplight still, but easy-to-find grocery, drive-in, pizza place, hospital, bar, etc)--15 mins from Devils Creek Reservoir and Malad Summit trails--20 minutes from Downata Hot Springs--30 minutes from Lava Hot Springs--3 hours from Yellowstone and Jackson HoleLearn more about this land:Come escape and recharge in a private campground under the shade of giant poplars alive with birdsong and a sky full of stars you can actually see. Located on the ancestral lands of the Shoshone-Bannock people, this campsite is nestled under a grove of poplars planted by the original homesteaders over 100 years ago. It features a Tipi, a newly built outhouse, two swings, a picnic table, fire-ring, cast-iron hand pump to access well water, plenty of flat ground for tents, RV's, and car parking, and most importantly, wide-open space in every direction. If you are looking for somewhere completely opposite of hectic city living, this is it.

4. Moonlight Mine Acres

99%

(75)

24mi from Lava Hot Springs · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Pocatello, ID

Learn more about this land: Views of the valley from the top. Mixture of pine trees, maples and shrubs Canyon area provides great shade Access to trails, BLM land, and old mines 7 Miles from Interstate 15 - great stopping area if on you way to Yellowstone, the Tetons, etc. Trails cut throughout and lots of wildlife. Lower site by the stream (last 5 photos) offers easy access from the road, power and potable water.

5. Crazy Cow Farm Adventures

100%

(71)

38mi from Lava Hot Springs · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Malad City, ID

Crazy Cow Farm Adventures is located in a small quiet town called Samaria, Idaho. Our family has run this farm since, Samaria was first settled in the late 1800s. It is a working farm, and so you will see us feeding the baby calves, and lambs, irrigating the fields, harvesting and hauling hay as we go about our day. We work hard on the farm but we also know how to play hard. Crazy Cow Farm Adventures has a fun hay chopper wagon ball game, peddle cart track (lots of fun for all ages), and farmyard laser tag. All of these fun activities can be purchased along with your night stay. Contact us for reservations and prices. The Crazy Cow Farm Adventures is the perfect place to unwind and become renewed. The Blue Goose is the old saloon that has been restored and turned into a little store, right here in Samaria just a few blocks from Crazy Cow Farm Adventures. Samaria is located near several reservoirs, where those that love to fish, can go enjoy the water. Yellowstone is just a few hours away, while Downata and Lava Hot Springs are both just a few minutes away. Malad City, Idaho is just a short ten minute drive and you can find the grocery store, pharmacy, hospital, and all the other comforts from home there.

6. Bear Lake Basecamp!

85%

(72)

32mi from Lava Hot Springs · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Liberty, ID

This has become a great place for our family to go to get away for the weekends. The nights are absolutely beautiful and you can see the stars. You can hear the coyotes off in the distance chipping and howling. My kids love to ride their ATV on the trails and we go for hikes and just relax. There is one fire pit for use at each camp spot (2 spots), just please go into the trees and find some wood to re-stack what you have used and ensure it is out with water and dirt. I fight wildfires during the summer and don’t want to have to fight one up there. Plus I may be hard to reach depending on where I’m located. Learn more about this land: Our Bear Lake Bascamp is perfect for boondocking or pitch a tent and camp in our 5 acres meadow or find a small shady spot in the 5 acres of quakies and pine trees! Off grid camping! OHV trails (ride from camp), bring your mountain bikes or even just go for a hike. Located at the edge of the Caribou-Targhe National Forest, Montpelier Ranger District, Idaho. The sunrises are amazing and in the evening you can listen to the coyotes off in the distance. It is open in the winter for snowshoeing or snowmobiling in with wood ready for the fire pit! Recommend, that when you first arrive, build a small fire in the fire pit and the smoke will get rid of any of the bugs around. We get up there about 1 time a month and mow/trim the path, parking and work on the trails in the pines. Turn left at the smile face....When you see it, you'll know what I mean ;) Please be respectful of others who have property in the area as well. Don't climb over anyone's fences.

7. Mountain View Glamping Yurt

100%

(58)

11mi from Lava Hot Springs · 1 site · Lodging · Bancroft, ID

Nestled high in the Rocky Mountains of southeast Idaho at an elevation of 6500 ft, our yurt has magnificent views of Mt. Bonneville and the surrounding Pebble Creek Basin. Along with a handful of neighbors, within a private property recreational area, we are surrounded by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, with vehicle access from mid-May through mid-November each year. Pebble Yurt has a 30 ft diameter with a partial loft for a total of 900 ft2 of indoor living space. You will be completely off grid, but with running hot and cold water, solar electricity, and heating and cooling features. We also feature an indoor shower, sink, and composting toilet. Bring your ATV's, mountain bikes, or hiking boots to explore the Pebble Basin. Or take a short drive to Lava Hot Springs for world-class hot pools, water slides, or white water rafting. Fishing in the Portneuf River or Chesterfield Reservoir, exploring the Chesterfield historic town site, or trying out a zipline or go-cart are other local activities. Pebble Yurt was built circa 2010 by a retiring forest service employee to the highest standards. We've used that canvas to create a unique glamping experience for our guests, with the best creature comforts available in a wilderness setting.

8. Mountain Maple Ranch 🍁

99%

(81)

35mi from Lava Hot Springs · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Preston, ID

Learn more about this land: Open for 2025 This property offers a pavilion that measures 16x20, and a picnic table that can seat 10-12 people. We have extended our tent pad to be able to add up to 4 big tents measuring roughly 40x17-18. Please be honest about the number of guests that are coming max is 20, if you want more than that don't hesitate to get in touch with me separately. Mostly cause I clean and want to ensure it's clean for the next camper. This tent site is PACK IN PACK OUT. I don’t have city services, if you need trash services It's $7.50 per TRASH BAG that I need to take out. Outhouse is a pit toilet, but I make sure it does not stink and is extremely clean. I only have it listed as 1 place so you can have a family reunion or just come as a family. When you come to our place we have an accenting driveway, and a large boulder retaining wall with a gray gate to keep the camp secured and keep range cows out. This property is a working homestead. YOU WILL SEE ANIMALS and hear US working especially if you hike up the main road where we live. WE HAVE separation however we are still needing to manage the land and the animals. The campsite we don't enter, but we have to access the main road to run errands or go to work. We do our own thing and the campers do their own thing. If you are curious about the farm and operations we are happy to show you around and you are welcome to explore but you WILL RUN INTO us :) we don't mind as long as you don't mind. If you want to see more of the property and all the projects, we do a YouTube channel @mountainmapleranch to see all the updates. Bring your toys, such as bikes, 4-wheelers, and ATVs we have some fun trails close by that go to the back of Worm Creek Basin that goes on for miles of beautiful trails.

Camper favorites near Lava Hot Springs

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Moonlight Mine Acres

99%

(75)

24mi from Lava Hot Springs · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Pocatello, ID

Learn more about this land: Views of the valley from the top. Mixture of pine trees, maples and shrubs Canyon area provides great shade Access to trails, BLM land, and old mines 7 Miles from Interstate 15 - great stopping area if on you way to Yellowstone, the Tetons, etc. Trails cut throughout and lots of wildlife. Lower site by the stream (last 5 photos) offers easy access from the road, power and potable water.

Crazy Cow Farm Adventures

100%

(71)

38mi from Lava Hot Springs · 13 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Malad City, ID

Crazy Cow Farm Adventures is located in a small quiet town called Samaria, Idaho. Our family has run this farm since, Samaria was first settled in the late 1800s. It is a working farm, and so you will see us feeding the baby calves, and lambs, irrigating the fields, harvesting and hauling hay as we go about our day. We work hard on the farm but we also know how to play hard. Crazy Cow Farm Adventures has a fun hay chopper wagon ball game, peddle cart track (lots of fun for all ages), and farmyard laser tag. All of these fun activities can be purchased along with your night stay. Contact us for reservations and prices. The Crazy Cow Farm Adventures is the perfect place to unwind and become renewed. The Blue Goose is the old saloon that has been restored and turned into a little store, right here in Samaria just a few blocks from Crazy Cow Farm Adventures. Samaria is located near several reservoirs, where those that love to fish, can go enjoy the water. Yellowstone is just a few hours away, while Downata and Lava Hot Springs are both just a few minutes away. Malad City, Idaho is just a short ten minute drive and you can find the grocery store, pharmacy, hospital, and all the other comforts from home there.

Bear Lake Basecamp!

85%

(72)

32mi from Lava Hot Springs · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Liberty, ID

This has become a great place for our family to go to get away for the weekends. The nights are absolutely beautiful and you can see the stars. You can hear the coyotes off in the distance chipping and howling. My kids love to ride their ATV on the trails and we go for hikes and just relax. There is one fire pit for use at each camp spot (2 spots), just please go into the trees and find some wood to re-stack what you have used and ensure it is out with water and dirt. I fight wildfires during the summer and don’t want to have to fight one up there. Plus I may be hard to reach depending on where I’m located. Learn more about this land: Our Bear Lake Bascamp is perfect for boondocking or pitch a tent and camp in our 5 acres meadow or find a small shady spot in the 5 acres of quakies and pine trees! Off grid camping! OHV trails (ride from camp), bring your mountain bikes or even just go for a hike. Located at the edge of the Caribou-Targhe National Forest, Montpelier Ranger District, Idaho. The sunrises are amazing and in the evening you can listen to the coyotes off in the distance. It is open in the winter for snowshoeing or snowmobiling in with wood ready for the fire pit! Recommend, that when you first arrive, build a small fire in the fire pit and the smoke will get rid of any of the bugs around. We get up there about 1 time a month and mow/trim the path, parking and work on the trails in the pines. Turn left at the smile face....When you see it, you'll know what I mean ;) Please be respectful of others who have property in the area as well. Don't climb over anyone's fences.

Mountain View Glamping Yurt

100%

(58)

11mi from Lava Hot Springs · 1 site · Lodging · Bancroft, ID

Nestled high in the Rocky Mountains of southeast Idaho at an elevation of 6500 ft, our yurt has magnificent views of Mt. Bonneville and the surrounding Pebble Creek Basin. Along with a handful of neighbors, within a private property recreational area, we are surrounded by the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, with vehicle access from mid-May through mid-November each year. Pebble Yurt has a 30 ft diameter with a partial loft for a total of 900 ft2 of indoor living space. You will be completely off grid, but with running hot and cold water, solar electricity, and heating and cooling features. We also feature an indoor shower, sink, and composting toilet. Bring your ATV's, mountain bikes, or hiking boots to explore the Pebble Basin. Or take a short drive to Lava Hot Springs for world-class hot pools, water slides, or white water rafting. Fishing in the Portneuf River or Chesterfield Reservoir, exploring the Chesterfield historic town site, or trying out a zipline or go-cart are other local activities. Pebble Yurt was built circa 2010 by a retiring forest service employee to the highest standards. We've used that canvas to create a unique glamping experience for our guests, with the best creature comforts available in a wilderness setting.

Mountain Maple Ranch 🍁

99%

(81)

35mi from Lava Hot Springs · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Preston, ID

Learn more about this land: Open for 2025 This property offers a pavilion that measures 16x20, and a picnic table that can seat 10-12 people. We have extended our tent pad to be able to add up to 4 big tents measuring roughly 40x17-18. Please be honest about the number of guests that are coming max is 20, if you want more than that don't hesitate to get in touch with me separately. Mostly cause I clean and want to ensure it's clean for the next camper. This tent site is PACK IN PACK OUT. I don’t have city services, if you need trash services It's $7.50 per TRASH BAG that I need to take out. Outhouse is a pit toilet, but I make sure it does not stink and is extremely clean. I only have it listed as 1 place so you can have a family reunion or just come as a family. When you come to our place we have an accenting driveway, and a large boulder retaining wall with a gray gate to keep the camp secured and keep range cows out. This property is a working homestead. YOU WILL SEE ANIMALS and hear US working especially if you hike up the main road where we live. WE HAVE separation however we are still needing to manage the land and the animals. The campsite we don't enter, but we have to access the main road to run errands or go to work. We do our own thing and the campers do their own thing. If you are curious about the farm and operations we are happy to show you around and you are welcome to explore but you WILL RUN INTO us :) we don't mind as long as you don't mind. If you want to see more of the property and all the projects, we do a YouTube channel @mountainmapleranch to see all the updates. Bring your toys, such as bikes, 4-wheelers, and ATVs we have some fun trails close by that go to the back of Worm Creek Basin that goes on for miles of beautiful trails.

Public campgrounds near Lava Hot Springs

Pebble Guard Station

11mi from Lava Hot Springs · 1 site · in Caribou National Forest

Big Springs Campground

11mi from Lava Hot Springs · 16 sites · Tents, RVs · in Caribou National Forest

Goodenough Creek Campground

14mi from Lava Hot Springs · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pocatello Field Office

Hawkins Reservoir Campground

18mi from Lava Hot Springs · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pocatello Field Office

100%

(2)

Scout Mountain Campground

18mi from Lava Hot Springs · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Caribou National Forest

Mink Creek Group Campground

22mi from Lava Hot Springs · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Caribou National Forest

Heart Mountain Spring Recreation Site Campground

100%

(2)

Heart Mountain Spring Recreation Site Campground

23mi from Lava Hot Springs · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pocatello Field Office

Malad Summit Guard Station

23mi from Lava Hot Springs · 1 site · in Caribou National Forest

Eight Mile Guard Station

23mi from Lava Hot Springs · 1 site · in Caribou National Forest

Malad Summit Campground

23mi from Lava Hot Springs · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Caribou National Forest

Cold Springs Campground

23mi from Lava Hot Springs · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · in Caribou National Forest

Blackfoot Reservoir Campground

26mi from Lava Hot Springs · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pocatello Field Office

Stories from the community

C

Chris

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Mountain Top Getaways

We had a great time staying at site #5! Would highly recommend it. The views were beautiful, amazing stars at night, and super convenient location to head in to town quickly.

B

Beth

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Mountain View Glamping Yurt

LOVED Gurt the Yurt so much! Jennifer and family have designed a great space to relax and connect. The indoor and outdoor spaces are so functional and they have taken great care to offer amenities so guests can enjoy the space.

Josh

October 2025

21 ft Class C

With kids

Weekend Trip to Moonlight Mine Acres

This is our second time here and it was just as wonderful and quiet and peaceful as last time. It was so good that the weather decided to give us heat, cold, wind, and rain. But that still didn’t mess up a lovely time camping here. It’s so close to my home that I wish I could come out every weekend.

E

Ellen

October 2025

With kids

2 nights at Crazy Cow Farm Adventures

This the absolute BEST campsite! The hosts are amazing and the kids loved everything from the sandbox, to the pedal cars, to helping with farm chores. We will be back every year from now on!

Maya

September 2025

20 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Moonlight Mine Acres

This was such a magical overnight stop. I got in at dark and woke up to gorgeous fall foliage all around me. It was a quiet, effortless stop. My favorite kind.

P

PT

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

Very quiet and cute camp site that is very close to town. It was a nice quick getaway. There was plenty of room and the sounds of the creek were relaxing. Our only caveat was that we wish we had known the porta potty was only there until mid September.

K

Kris

September 2025

27 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Moonlight Mine Acres

We loved this place! The seclusion, the changing leaves, the stars! Pulled my 27' trailer up to the top with no issues. Really enjoyed our stay, and Adam was really nice and accommodating. We will be back! Thank you for having us.

C

Christian

September 2025

25 ft campervan

With pets

2 nights at Mountain Top Getaways

Cord provided excellent directions to the site, which made getting there simple. Once we arrived, we were blown away by how peaceful and quiet it was. The campsites are well spread out, so it truly felt like we had the whole mountain to ourselves. A perfect place to relax and recharge — we’ll definitely be back!

M

Moe

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Mountain Top Getaways

Stunning views and great communication from the host. Site 6 was perfectly secluded and you get to enjoy both the sunset and sunrise.

C

Carrie

September 2025

15 ft campervan

1 night at Moonlight Mine Acres

Adam’s land is beautiful and peaceful. It was the perfect spot for a quick stop off on our cross country trip in our van. Enjoyed the sunrise views! Wish we could have stayed longer! Adam was communicative and provided lots of helpful info.

K

Kody

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

Our second visit. Awesome sit and great hosts. 10/10

S

Sarah

September 2025

20 ft Class B

Weekend Trip to Mountain Top Getaways

Loved staying here. We stayed at site 5 and the views were beautiful. One of the highlights was hearing beautiful elk! The drive up was a little scary but short and totally doable.

p

pam

September 2025

2 nights at Crazy Cow Farm Adventures

The campers are adorable! Shayna has a knack for decorating and for making you feel welcome and "at home". The fridge was equipped with bottled water, oatmeal for breakfast, and the makings for s'mores over the fire. We had a blast riding the pedal cars to the "Blue Goose" penny-candy store. We stayed for 2 nights on our way from Salt Lake City to see Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and visit natural hot springs throughout Idaho. At the end of our trip, we needed to rest and pack up the camping gear for the flight home. On short notice, Shayna welcomed us, again, for 2 more nights. We were so happy to be there. When we drove in late at night we both exclaimed "we're home"! Everything was clean and cozy. The shower and toilets are a short distance from the campers. It was quiet, even when the goats got out, and so beautiful. We want our family and friends to experience Crazy Cow, and we would love to go back and spend a week to just rest and enjoy the scenery.

Emma

September 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Moonlight Mine Acres

I love love love this spot. I decided to do a road trip instead of fly to my destination just so I could stop here and stay overnight. The site at the top where they are building a glamping type dome is just gorgeous. 360 views. Last fall I stayed here with my dog, and I have since lost him to cancer so this trip was a bit of a memorial. I remember him joyfully running around and exploring as the sun set on the mountains. Definitely recommend if your goal is privacy, beauty, and plenty of space.

Kim

September 2025

19 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Moonlight Mine Acres

We loved the views, the quiet, and the off leash opportunity! Adam was communicative and welcoming. I wish we could have stayed longer. Next time!

K

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

Awesome location! We loved it! Very private, quiet and lots of shade.

Jaina

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

We loved camping here! It is one of our very favorite spots to camp:)

K

Kathryn

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

We loved our one night stay on Ken’s land. It was peaceful and private and we loved the site. The hill to get over to campsite 4 was steep, but doable in an SUV. The porta potty is about a 5-minute walk up and over the small hill, but it was never crowded and was clean. On Sunday morning around 10am we witnessed the bizarre landslide of rocks from whatever they were dumping down the mountain. As other reviewers have said it is pretty strange and happens in decently close proximity to site 4. We just made sure to keep our dog away from that side of the site. We would definitely come back here! We loved it.

C

Cadence

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

We were on site 2 for a night and it was nice! Right next to the creek, it was great to hear it at night. I’ll add to some other reviews about the hill going in and out- we had a Mazda 6 with fairly new tires and were able to get back up the hill alright, but it was still a little scary 😬 so just know that if you don’t have 4 wheel drive and it happens to rain or your tires are bad, it may not be worth the risk!

N

Nicole

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Secluded Maple Creek River bottoms

Beautiful piece of land. This is my families second time here and we love it. We were there on Labor Day weekend and even with all four sites being booked we barely heard or saw any of the others. If you are looking for a place to just disconnect you can’t go wrong picking this place. Ken is a great host and very responsive.