Where can I find AWESOME camping in Idaho?? (Boise, Coeur d'Alene: RV park, ski resort)

[looktotheson]

We are going to Idaho in August and are looking for some of the best camping/hiking spots. We will probably spend 2-3 days backpacking. I am looking for something with amazing views (mountains please!) and possibly some water. We might be willing to go to two different spots if one has better mountain views/elevation and another has a better lake.

I am open to locations anywhere in the state as we will be in Coeur d'Alane and Boise during our trip. This will be our first time experiencing backpacking in that terrain (we come from flat texas), so any advice is welcomed

[Syringaloid]

Check out the McCall area north of Boise which is on the way to Coeur d'Alene. Tons of camping spots in deep woods and Payette Lake is beautiful and Brundage Ski Resort near the lake runs their ski lifts in summer for hikers and mountain bikers. The views are amazing.

http://brundage.com/

I would dare say anywhere between Boise and Coeur d'Alene is going to offer awesome camping and hiking because it is all mountains, rivers, and forests.

[banjomike]

It's all awesome!
You will need a second trip just to get some of the awesomeness in S. Idaho, where all the real big stuff is. there is way too much here to get in one go.

[Clark Fork Fantast]

There's a campground at Trestle Creek on Highway 200 just before entering Hope. It is on Lake Pend Oreille, and the view is fantastic. And you've got the Cabinet Mountains rising steeply right behind you, with a great hiking trail up Trestle Creek. There are actually two campgrounds (or sections), one on the north side, and one on the south (lake) side. One of them is Trestle Creek RV Park. A little further east you have the hiking trails of Scotchman Peaks, in Clark Fork. There's a new map available of the peaks and their trails.

Hi Syringaloid and Banjo! Looks like we're posting at the same time today

[Syringaloid]

Check this out, it is a production put together by Outdoor Idaho which is on our local PBS stations around the state. It will give you an idea of the scenic byways you will be driving along as you travel through the state. This could give you some ideas as well on places to visit/camp. I watched this on TV last night and it is a beautiful video.

Idaho's Scenic Byways - Outdoor Idaho (Idaho Public Television)

[LionFamily]

Originally Posted by banjomike

It's all awesome!
You will need a second trip just to get some of the awesomeness in S. Idaho, where all the real big stuff is. there is way too much here to get in one go.

What he said.

What type of camping are you talking about? Are you looking for a base camp from which to hike? Are you going to be camping along the way? Is this tent camping?

We are sissy camper-trailers b/c Mama Lion is freaked out by tent camping in bear territory (), but I suspect some additional details may help people to make more specific recommendations.

In any event, prepared to be awestruck and have a great visit!

[IdaD]

To me the prettiest mountains in Idaho are in the Sawtooth Wilderness or Boulder-Whiteclouds or some of the Frank Church Wilderness. There are lots of lakes to backpack into each of those areas, and you can access them all from the Stanley basin - Sawtooth's to the west, BWC to the southeast and FCW to the north. The central mountain areas in Idaho are just spectacular and make for world class backpacking. Imogene Lake, Feather Lakes, Chamberlain Basin, etc, etc, etc - you could backpack for a lifetime in Central Idaho's mountains and never get bored.

Disclaimer: Elevations are quite high and it makes a big difference. Coming from Texas you might want to keep that in the back of your mind. It's pretty easy to approach and exceed 10,000 feet backpacking and hiking in some of these areas.

[Para]

Originally Posted by IdaD

Disclaimer: Elevations are quite high and it makes a big difference. Coming from Texas you might want to keep that in the back of your mind. It's pretty easy to approach and exceed 10,000 feet backpacking and hiking in some of these areas.

Last week the dog and I backpacked up at 9800 to 10000 feet in the Lost Creek Wilderness area of CO, it kicked both our butts and we live at 6500 feet, so keep distances at elevation in mind when planning.

Sounds like a great trip, take pictures and post em up here.

[banjomike]

Seriously, look…
While folks are mentions some mighty spectacular Idaho mountains, and they haven't even scratched the surface yet, the awesomeness really starts with all the stuff here that no other state in the west has.

Just a short list.
- 2 canyons that are over a mile deep. One is as deep as the Grand.
- a waterfall higher than Niagara
- more hot springs that any other state in the nation
- the most beautiful lakes west of Minnesota
- the biggest lava flows in the 48 contiguous states
- the best side of the Teton mountain range
- the wildest piece of Yellowstone park
- more whitewater than you can ever ride
- some of the prettiest and best farm ground in the nation
- more wild places than anywhere but Alaska.

… and almost all of it is less than 1 hour away from anywhere you are. The Interstates never give anyone a clue about how spectacular and magnificent Old Mother Idaho is, but the old 2-lanes do. The more you ramble in this state, the more you want to ramble more. Other states may have single features that are awesomer, but Idaho is so awesome from side to side and top to bottom a new word needs to be invented for what's here.

[KurtAngleDoesn'tSuck]

Since you'll be here in August, I'd recommend going
where the huckleberries are, i.e., central to north Idaho.

Yes there's a few farther south, but the mother lodes are up north.

You want the best of all worlds? Clearwater National Forest or Selway Bitterroot Wilderness.