Dispersed camping sites near Riggins, Idaho are available at Lost Valley Reservoir Dispersed Camping Area, located about 16 miles north of Council. The area sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation and features rocky beaches along the reservoir shoreline. Seasonal water level changes affect campsite availability, with levels dropping significantly by early August.
What to do
Fishing at nearby ponds: When staying at McCall RV Resort, take a short drive to Brown Pond. "For any fisherman, as you leave the park go right about 2 miles to a parking area for Brown Pond. I caught my limit in 20 minutes, and earthworms hanging two feet down from a bobber is the ticket," reports one visitor.
Jet boat tours: Explore Hells Canyon via boat tours when camping in the area. A camper at Canyon Pines RV Resort recommended: "River Adventures Jet Boat tour of Hells Canyon is worth it!"
Mountain viewpoints: Drive to scenic overlooks for panoramic views. "David (owner of Canyon Pines) pointed us to Heaven's Gate Mtn overlooking the 7 Devils Mtns. GO!!!" advised a reviewer who found this recommendation valuable during their stay.
What campers like
River views: Many campsites offer direct views of the Salmon River or its tributaries. A visitor at Swiftwater RV Park noted: "We're heading north from Boise and needed a place to crash for the night. This was convenient so we booked it and we're happily surprised when we arrived. Friendly greeting from the owners & hosts, quiet and shaded spot right overlooking the Salmon River."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean bathrooms. "Cleanest bathrooms and showers I have ever been in at a park I think," remarked a tent camper at Chalet RV Park.
Swimming amenities: Some rv camping options near Riggins include indoor pools. "This place is amazing, very well run 10 out of 10 on this one. The indoor pool and spa and steam room made this my favorite park so far on our journey," shared an enthusiastic McCall RV Resort visitor.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some camping areas require navigating difficult roads. A camper at Pittsburg Campground warned: "There is a heck of a drive to get into this place, there's a very winding and steep road to get there and it took us about an hour from White Bird. That being said, it was a very lovely and scenic drive."
Pet considerations: Wildlife and vegetation can pose hazards to pets. "Word of warning to any dog owners; I discovered as soon as we unloaded from the vehicle that there are sticky burs absolutely everywhere on the ground and our furry labradoodle was soon covered with them," cautioned a Pittsburg Campground visitor.
Seasonal water levels: Reservoir levels change dramatically through summer. "The lake is small and as the summer progresses and water is drained from the reservoir, it shrinks. I prefer camping here until about the 1st or 2nd week of August. After this, the water levels drop drastically and green algae begins to accumulate around the lakes edge," noted a visitor to Lost Valley Reservoir.
Tips for camping with families
Indoor amenities for weather backup: Some RV parks offer indoor activities. At McCall RV Resort, "they have swimming pool, jacuzzi, and free popcorn all day!" which provides entertainment options regardless of weather conditions.
Tent restrictions: Verify tent policies before booking. One disappointed visitor to The RV Landing at Carlson Ranch noted the difficulty with multiple tents: "She was OK with our motorhome and one tent but the minute I said we had two kids and two small tents. She immediately informed me that she would not be renting to us."
Look for sites with grass: Gravel RV sites can be uncomfortable for children, but some parks maintain grass areas. "The level gravel sites were surrounded by lush grass. Each site had a nice picnic table and fire pit," reported a Canyon Pines visitor, describing the family-friendly setup.
Tips from RVers
Wi-Fi availability: Internet access varies significantly between parks. "AT&T 3bars LTE service as well as free wifi make communication and planning easy," noted a visitor to Chalet RV Park, though connectivity decreases outside town limits.
Site spacing: Some RV parks have limited separation between sites. A Riverside RV Park visitor observed: "The campground itself is narrow with only one row of sites available. It is situated between the Little Salmon River and HWY 95."
Sprinkler schedules: Be aware of irrigation systems when setting up outside equipment. "The sprinklers go off once around dinnertime and again around 11pm. The site hosts did warn us about the sprinklers but they did hamper some of the nightly activities," noted a visitor to The RV Landing at Carlson Ranch.
