The best desert campgrounds near Malad City, Idaho

Looking to camp near Malad City, Idaho and explore the desert terrain? Look no further than Hipcamp, where you'll find over 110 options that fit your preferences. From desert camping to RV sites, we've got you covered. With options as low as $10 per night, you can experience the beauty of the desert without breaking the bank. Check out our top campsites like Mountain Top Getaways (118 reviews), Cottage Stopover (4 reviews), and AquaTerrace (4 reviews) to see what fellow campers have to say. And with popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, cooking equipment, and trash disposal, your camping experience will be convenient and enjoyable. Get ready to paddle through whitewater rapids, explore historic sites, and go boating - all while surrounded by the stunning desert landscape near Malad City, Idaho.

99% (283)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking to camp near Malad City, Idaho and explore the desert terrain? Look no further than Hipcamp, where you'll find over 110 options that fit your preferences. From desert camping to RV sites, we've got you covered. With options as low as $10 per night, you can experience the beauty of the desert without breaking the bank. Check out our top campsites like Mountain Top Getaways (118 reviews), Cottage Stopover (4 reviews), and AquaTerrace (4 reviews) to see what fellow campers have to say. And with popular amenities like pet-friendly sites, cooking equipment, and trash disposal, your camping experience will be convenient and enjoyable. Get ready to paddle through whitewater rapids, explore historic sites, and go boating - all while surrounded by the stunning desert landscape near Malad City, Idaho.

99% (283)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Secret Canyon Ranch

99%

(75)

3.3mi from Malad City · 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.

2. Mountain Top Getaways

97%

(399)

26mi from Malad City · 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.

3. Camp Peine

90%

(5)

45mi from Malad City · 1 site · Tent, RV · Brigham City, UT

Our property is located North of Brigham City. We have a gorgeous view of the Wasatch front on the East and amazing sunsets across the Bird Refuge. This property is primitive. We have multiple places for a vans to park, from graveled driveways and flat graveled parking areas, too more primitive parking full of grassy areas.

4. Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

90%

(94)

2666 sites · Levan, Utah

2.1 million acres of unique wilderness scenery just begging to be explored.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Bristol Park Historic Cabins

75%

(4)

32mi from Malad City · 4 sites · Lodging · Lava Hot Springs, ID

Bristol is bordered by the Portneuf River to the North and Mt Moh to the South, offering river access and a host of trails. Fishing in the river is great, boasting rainbow, cut throat, brook and brown trout. There's also a few great swimming holes right below the property, including a 15 ft. waterfall. Guests may hike trails to the old mines, or be directed to a plethora of trails for biking nearby. The setting at Bristol is uniquely peaceful for the busy tourist town of Lava Hot Springs. Although still technically within city limits, the place offers an atmosphere of it's own, seemingly outside of time. Once a miners camp and stage coach stop along the Oregon Trail, we have worked hard to maintain the buildings and grounds. With an abundance of trees, (bonus if you can name all varieties) the main compound is well shaded through the hot summer months. Our single room, quaint cabins have a shared bathroom with showers and towels available. We are a minutes walk from the hot springs and downtown, so no need to fight for a parking spot!

Public campgrounds near Malad City

High Creek Campground

30mi from Malad City · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Smithfield Campground

34mi from Malad City · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

100%

(3)

Tony Grove Campground

38mi from Malad City · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Bridger Campground

40mi from Malad City · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Red Banks Campground

41mi from Malad City · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Lewis M. Turner Campground

41mi from Malad City · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Spring Hollow Campground

41mi from Malad City · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Guinavah Campground

41mi from Malad City · 42 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Wood Camp Campground

41mi from Malad City · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Preston Valley Campground

42mi from Malad City · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

100%

(1)

Lodge Campground

43mi from Malad City · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

The ol' Aristocrat in the pull-thru driveway in Site #22

100%

(3)

Sunrise Campground

45mi from Malad City · 26 sites · Tents, RVs · in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Stories from the community

T

Tori

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Mountain Top Getaways

Beautiful view, very peaceful and quiet. Deer greeted me when I got to the site.

J

Jessie

November 2025

20 ft campervan

With pets

2 nights at Camp Peine

A nice gravel drive to walk the dogs on and a grassy lawn are to let them run and play freely.

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.

D

Dyan

October 2025

16 ft car

With pets

1 night at Secret Canyon Ranch

The yurt is clean and in a great location. The dogs and I loved it. Julie went out of her way to make sure I was comfortable.

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.

Welcome to Camp Peine! We are a work in progress. This is site #1, its a gravel, terraced parking spot, right off the highway. There is a lone shade tree and a picnic table next to the spot.

F

Felicia

September 2025

20 ft campervan

1 night at Camp Peine

Lovely place to land! Sean was so welcoming and helpful!

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.

S

Sofia

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mountain Top Getaways

it was pretty, the drive up was very steep, but my hyundai sonata was capable.

J

John

August 2025

15 ft travel trailer

2 nights at Mountain Top Getaways

This was our first time using Hipcamp. Everything went as planned. I think site #5 is the best site for a camper. We have a 15 foot Geo pro and had plenty of room to turn around. It’s also the highest spot on the hill and has a great view of Cache valley to the south. Word of caution: you will definitely want to arrive before dark (as per written instructions) otherwise it can be very confusing to locate your campsite.

Cosmo

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Camp Peine

Great spot, sunset was nice and it is right in between the Hot Springs and Town.

R

Riley

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mountain Top Getaways

We were roadtripping and late to finding camping spot - this one worked out perfectly for us! Would 100% camp again.

I

Isaac

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Peine

We arrived late at night and Jo was very helpful in making us feel at home, very easy to communicate with and very friendly. Definitely recommend for a quick stop and go!

M

Michelle

July 2025

30 ft Class B

3 nights at Mountain Top Getaways

We had a great stay at site #5! The directions were good and our 30 ft RV made it up the hill to site #5 with no problem. There was plenty of space to let the dogs run around. Our favorite part was watching the beautiful sunsets in the evening and star gazing at night. Would definitely stay again!!

M

Mariah

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Mountain Top Getaways

I loved the location, however the campsite were pretty close (1-3), no one was there when we stayed but next time I’d opt for campsite 3 for more space away from others. I had internet at the top (Verizon). The toilet was a little rugged, and close to the ground, it was kinda gross. It looked like it had been a while since it was cleaned. However if you look past that it was the perfect place to stay for a day!

Denise

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mountain Top Getaways

The hammock site was great as always! I love the land and the spot is perfect for what we needed. The stars just light up the whole sky! I can't wait to stay here again!

J

Julie

July 2025

25 ft Class B

With kids

Weekend Trip to Mountain Top Getaways

Wonderful views! Easy access. We had a very peaceful night there.

B

Brianne

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Bristol Park Historic Cabins

I loved the whole vibe of the place. Cute little touches every where, like a pair of old ice skates hanging on a bannister. Breakfast was amazing, and so was the coffee. Rooms where small and cozy. Bathrooms were rustic, could use a little dusting from floor to ceiling, but clean towels and a great shower. Will definitely be back!!

L

Lisa

July 2025

1 night at Bristol Park Historic Cabins

This place was awesome! So quaint. Hosts were very nice and I enjoyed breakfast with local fresh cherries!