Idaho RVing: Three Top Campgrounds Near the Snake River

RV Life

Snow-capped mountain over a lake in Idaho. — ***Photo courtesy RV LIFE Campgrounds***.

Many of the best RV parks in the country are located close to water, whether it’s rivers, lakes, or beaches. If you’re looking for a great place to camp in the mountainous west, you may want to look at campgrounds along the Snake River.

The Snake River is a tributary of the Columbia River that spans more than 1,000 miles. Although it branches into Wyoming and Oregon, the majority of the river is in Idaho. And, true to its name, it winds back and forth just like a serpent. Because the Snake River covers so much territory, you can enjoy a variety of perks depending on where you camp.

Some places come with fantastic fishing holes, while others are perfect for white-water rafting or a long, lazy float. There are many great campgrounds along the length of Snake River, but three stand out from the crowd: Juniper Campground, Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park, and Heyburn Riverside RV Park.

Juniper Campground

Location: 226 Meadow Creek Road, Ririe, Idaho 83443
Number of Campsites: 60
RV LIFE Campgrounds Score: 9.4/10

First on the list, we have Juniper Campground. In addition to its close proximity to the Snake River, this park also provides direct access to the Ririe Reservoir. This campground is maintained by the county and it’s a popular destination for fishing, swimming, and boating.

There are three different campsite loops here. The layout gives the campground a bit of variety, plus it creates a setup where visitors won’t be packed in like sardines. Amenities include a bath house, a camp store, laundry facilities, a playground, and a pet area.

The rates here are also hard to beat. If you opt for a primitive RV/tent site, you’ll only need to pay $20 per night. And if you want to upgrade to a site with hookups, then it’s still only $30 per night.

The park is also very popular with guests, and most visitors give it an “Excellent” score on RV LIFE Campgrounds. RVers love how close it is to the water. Even though there are trees around the park, you can still see the water from multiple places and it’s easy to get to the shore.

RVers especially love the size of the sites and the mix of back-in and pull-through layouts. This combination made it easy for RVs of all shapes and sizes to fit in neatly.

The only drawback that comes to mind is that some of the sites are a bit uneven and may require extra leveling. Ririe is also a very small town that doesn’t offer a lot of entertainment or dining options. But if you’re looking for a quiet park with great rates, this is a wonderful option to add to your list!

To learn more about the park or book a site today, visit the website at junipercampground.com

Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park

Location: 3000 South Yellowstone Highway, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
Number of Campsites: 59
RV LIFE Campgrounds Score: 9.2/10

Now it’s time for something a little more upscale. As the name suggests, Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park is more resort-style, offering modern amenities and facilities. One of its claims to fame is that it offers the largest paved and landscaped sites in the region. So if you’re looking for a place to park your big rig, this is a great option.

The Snake River runs through Idaho Falls, which is the fifth-largest city in the state. But this RV park is located near the southern edge, so you can still enjoy some nice views and get some space from the busier areas.

Every site here has full hookups for water, sewage, and electricity, so you won’t have to stress about dry camping here. Workamping is a major focus here as well, so high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the park. If you need to work during your trip or just hop online for fun, you’ll be well taken care of.

There are plenty of amenities to enjoy here as well. This is a modern RV resort, after all! Some of the perks included with your stay include:

Monitored security gate
Luxury picnic tables and fire pits at each site
Modern lodge/clubhouse
On-site laundromat
Private bathrooms and showers
Two pickleball courts
Bike rentals
Camp store
Dog park
Communal outdoor fireplace

The location is ideal for people who want to explore a bit of everything. The Snake River is right next to the park, and guests can hop onto the Idaho Falls Greenbelt to enjoy its full beauty. A drive-in theater and a lovely tourist park also bookend the campground on both sides.

If you want to venture into the main city of Idaho Falls, you’ll find plenty of options for entertainment and dining. Check out attractions like the local zoo, aquarium, and the Museum of Idaho (with rotating exhibits throughout the year). There are also plenty of local parks, and you’ll never be far from mountains, nature trails, and river-based activities.

Due to this park’s location and extra amenities, it is a bit more expensive to stay here. Rates may vary throughout the year, but on average, guests will pay between $85–$125 per night.

The price is the main complaint for guests who stay here. Admittedly, it is fairly expensive by Idaho’s standards, but it can be a nice treat for a night or two.

Apart from the cost, most visitors on RV LIFE Campgrounds reported that they had a wonderful experience. They complimented the landscaping, the clean facilities, and the close proximity to the Snake River and the main town.

Check out idahofallsluxuryrvpark.com for more information about the park and its amenities.

Heyburn Riverside RV Park

Location: 1175 7th St, Heyburn, Idaho 83336
Number of Campsites: 29
RV LIFE Campgrounds Score: 9.2/10

Finally, we’ve got a small but charming campground in southern Idaho—Heyburn Riverside RV Park. There are only 29 sites, but they all come with full hookups, so you can camp in comfort no matter where you stay. There’s also a mixture of different site types, with a combination of back-in, pull-in, and pull-through options.

The location here is hard to beat if you love the mountain west. The Snake River is right at your doorstep and there are lovely mountain views in almost every direction. Get ready for gorgeous sunrises and sunsets every day.

The campground also comes with some amenities to help you have a more comfortable visit. All the sites are paved and there are trees spaced throughout the lot to provide privacy and a bit of greenery.

There’s a new facility for restrooms and showers that is clean and well-maintained. A paved trail also runs along the river. This is a perfect place to walk your dogs, take a bike ride, or just stroll along and admire the river views.

Guests can also enjoy the outdoors by going boating, fishing, golfing, or visiting the on-site playground. Bass fishing is especially popular here! The nightly rates aren’t bad either. The average price here is $40 per night and it’s open from March to December every year.

Even though this park is fairly small, it has received a flood of glowing reviews from guests. 95% of users on RV LIFE Campgrounds give it a score of “Good” or “Excellent,” making it one of the most favored parks in the state.

The main drawback appears to be the Wi-Fi connection in the campground. It’s quite spotty, so you should be prepared with an alternative option if you need to work or access the internet during your visit. There’s also a bit of noise from the nearby road and train track.

But overall, guests had a wonderful experience at the Heyburn Riverside RV Park. They said that it was a fair price, was very well-maintained, and had a great location next to the Snake River. To learn more about this campground or reserve a spot, visit the website at heyburn.id.gov

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