Single Tent camper looking for advice

Hi there!

I am an experienced camper - but only in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I%26#39;m used to beautiful, wooded campsites, with rivers running through them, awesome hikes, and great white water rafting.

This time, I have the chance to fly into Boise, and drive north, and am looking for a similar area to explore. It does feel like most of the campsites I come across are very small, and out in the wide open (somewhat barren) land.

I like a National Park type of campsite - not a public campsite, and don%26#39;t even need lots of amenities - a bathroom facility would be great!

But - I also am reading a lot about people who just get camping permits, and pitch tents along the river. I%26#39;m interested in knowing about that, but not sure I want to do that.

What areas would you recommend for all of the above? (Oh - I want to go to some great, natural hot springs, too!)

Thanks!

Single Tent camper looking for advice

if you go north from boise and turn right at horseshoe bend, going by the payette river, towards loman...there are lots of wonderful campsites, some right on the river, and plenty of hot springs for 鈥dahohotsprings.com/destinations/鈥ndex.htm -

this is a lovely area

Single Tent camper looking for advice

Thank you so much!

If anyone has any suggestions on specific campsites, I would appreciate it. I like them kind of rustic - but defined, and preferably forest-like, if possible. Thanks again for the area suggestion - i will look into your suggestion!

trust me, camping in idaho, even in the nicest places, is rustic. we are in the mountains, rivers, animals....ha the direction i told you about is rustic, but bathrooms and showers. google one of the areas and check out the place. going all the way over to stanley is a treat. the view of the sawtooth mountains is breathtaking, and then you could go south and come into our town, ketchum and see the old mining town that it is. then you could go a bit south and turn right towards boise and make a loop. don%26#39;t know how much time you have.

THANKS so much, Charlie!

I am planning on flying into Boise, and heading north to Payette, and up towards Hell%26#39;s Canyon, 7 Devils, etc. I definitely want to do some climbing/exploring in the Sawtooth Mountains. I have about 10 days, but while I have a general idea of what I want to do - I don%26#39;t want to commit to anything yet, because I want to be flexible to go where the spirit leads me.

I keep getting very excited, but then very nervous, because I know this is very different from what I am used to. I am a very experienced Smoky Mountain National Park camper, which is covered in green mountain space, lush waterfalls and fauna, and this is about as opposite as it gets. I wanted different, and this is certainly it, but, going outside your comfort zone is a bit of an experience. It%26#39;s helpful having someone to ask questions of - so please stay tuned!

Thanks again, and any time you feel like making a suggestion, I%26#39;m completely open!

Debbi

Hells Canyon and 7 Devils are really scenic areas! I%26#39;m sure you will have a great time.

Sorry, I just read Charly%26#39;s second post - yes, if you can get to Stanley - do it. The roads going in are sooo scenic. Really beautiful area.

debbi, you will love stanley area and the road to get there. let me know if i can help any more. what month/ \carla ie. charley