Dark-sky camping in Idaho
1,217 camps in Idaho under the darkest skies (class 1–2 on our 9-step scale, from NASA night-lights).
Best areas for stargazing
- Around Grangeville121 camps for stargazing within 25 miles
- Around Stanley115 camps for stargazing within 25 miles
- Around Elk City101 camps for stargazing within 25 miles
- Around Orofino90 camps for stargazing within 25 miles
- Around Yellow Pine86 camps for stargazing within 25 miles
Questions
How many campgrounds in Idaho are good for stargazing?
1,217 camps under the darkest skies (class 1–2 on our 9-step scale, from NASA night-lights); 346 of them are free.
When is the best time to go?
The best camping months are Jun–Sep, judged from 30 years of weather at a typical camp: comfortable days, mild nights, little rain. In July expect highs near 82°F and lows near 49°F.
What else can you do there?
Of these camps, 28% also offer fishing, 24% also offer hiking, 18% also offer wildlife & birding.
Every camp, with a 3D fly-over, weather, cell signal and the drive.
Open stargazing in IdahoThis week's picks
A different handful each week.
Big ElkFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalBig Elk Campground is situated along Big Elk Creek on a quiet arm of the beautiful Palisades Reservoir, just 55 miles east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and…
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Pine Flats (Id)Federal campground · Reservable · Cell signalPine Flats Campground is located a few miles west of Lowman, Idaho, along the Banks-Lowman Highway at an elevation of 3,700 feet. Visitors enjoy rafting, kayaking and fishing on the South…
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Barneys Campground (Boise National Forest, Id)Federal campground · Reservable · No cell signalBarneys Campground is located on the northeast shore of scenic Deadwood Reservoir at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Boating, fishing and hiking are popular activities at this site.
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Mike HarrisFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalMike Harris Campground is located along scenic Teton Pass, just 5 miles from Victor, Idaho at an elevation of 6,200 feet. Visitors enjoy fishing, exploring local trails and sightseeing in…
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River Side (Id - Boise)Federal campground · Reservable · No cell signalRiver Side Campground is located along the Deadwood River at the north end of scenic Deadwood Reservoir at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Boating, fishing and hiking are popular activities.
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Big HankFederal campground · Reservable · No cell signalBig Hank Campground is located along the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River in Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Shore fishing is a large draw, along with local hiking and biking trails.…
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Fish Creek PavilionFederal campground · Reservable · Cell signalFish Creek Pavilion is a day-use picnic area adjacent to Fish Creek Campground. It's situated in a meadow surrounded by conifers and near a variety of recreational activities.
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Glacier View CampgroundFederal campground · Reservable · No cell signalGlacier View Campground is located next to beautiful Redfish Lake, beneath the Sawtooth Mountain Range, at an elevation of 6,500 feet.
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Free camps for stargazing
- Sublett CampgroundFederal campground · Free · No cell signal
Sublett Campground is a developed campground located two miles from Sublett Reservoir. This is a non-fee, non-reservation campground and picnic area. The campground is composed of 9…
View camp → - CCC CampgroundFederal campground · Free · No cell signal
CCC Campground rests alongside the Selway River and is a short drive from Fenn Ranger Station, where visitors may access travel information; and Fenn Pond, which is stocked with rainbow…
View camp → - Schumaker CampgroundFederal campground · Free · No cell signal
Schumaker Campground sits on the edge of Twin Lakes near the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. It features one host site, 16 campsites, two vault toilets and two handicap accessible sites. It…
View camp → - Granite Lake Camping AreaFederal campground · Free · Cell signal
This is a rustic dispersed campground with 7 sites located next to Granite Lake. Several trails leave from this camping area. Sites have tables and fire rings and there is one restroom. The…
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