Ready to plan a getaway where your dog is not only allowed but welcomed with tail-wagging enthusiasm? Idaho hides wide-open campsites, sparkling lakes, and mellow trails that make adventuring with pups easy. You will find scenic loops, shady sites, and plenty of room to breathe without feeling crammed in. Let us help you pick the perfect basecamp so your next road trip feels carefree and pawsitive.
Redfish Lake – Stanley, Idaho
Redfish Lake brings mountain drama and mellow vibes, all in one gorgeous bowl beneath the Sawtooths. Campsites feel spacious, with pine shade and easy access to the beach where dogs on leash can sniff the breeze. You will love the simple, flat paths around the shoreline for sunrise or post-dinner strolls.
Launch a paddleboard, hop the shuttle to trailheads, or wander the Fishhook Creek trail for broad views without heavy climbing. Mornings are crisp, afternoons warm, and evenings glow with alpenglow. Bring a light jacket, bear-safe storage, and booties if your pup is tender-footed on gravel.
Reservations are popular in peak season, so book early. If walk-in sites open, move quickly. Quiet hours are respected, keeping nights peaceful for everyone.
Priest Lake – Coolin, Idaho
Priest Lake feels like a deep-green secret tucked into Idaho’s panhandle. Campsites near the water deliver space for your setup and room for your dog to relax on leash. The lakeside path is gentle and perfect for unhurried walks, with benches for soaking up glassy morning reflections.
Head north toward Upper Priest Lake via the Navigation Trail for a mellow adventure with big payoff. You will find plenty of shade, cool breezes, and soft duff underfoot that is easy on paws. Bring bug spray, a towel for damp dogs, and extra snacks for long shoreline meanders.
Camp stores nearby carry basics, but plan ahead for fuel and ice. Even in summer, evenings can turn brisk. Keep the leash handy around busy swim areas.
Farragut State Park – Athol, Idaho
Farragut State Park is a huge playground at the south end of Lake Pend Oreille, with room to spread out. Multiple camp loops offer privacy, hookups, and quick connections to mellow trails. You will appreciate the paved paths for easy morning walks and the soft singletrack weaving through shady pines.
Check out the Shoreline Trail for breezy lake views without steep climbs. Disc golf courses, a museum, and day-use areas provide variety when you want to mix things up. Dogs must stay leashed, and there are plenty of waste stations, which keeps everything tidy.
Reserve ahead on summer weekends. Bring water shoes for rocky beaches and a long line for controlled lounging. Evening stars feel bright and cinematic here.
City of Rocks – Almo, Idaho
City of Rocks turns camping into a granite dreamscape, with sculpted spires rising above quiet sites. You will find peaceful nooks tucked among rocks, offering privacy and unforgettable sunsets. Trails like Creekside Towers and Flaming Rock are gentle enough for leashed pups and big on scenery.
Morning and evening are prime for wandering sandy paths and watching climbers dot the walls. Pack extra water and booties for hot, gritty surfaces in midday sun. Shade is scattered, so plan your hikes early or late.
Vault toilets are clean and well placed, and sites vary from tent-only to small rigs. Night skies explode with stars. Keep dogs close near wildlife, and secure food to protect this fragile desert habitat.
Heyburn State Park – Plummer, Idaho
Heyburn State Park wraps around the southern end of Lake Coeur d’Alene, with classic North Idaho scenery. The campgrounds feel roomy and tree-shaded, perfect for lounging with your pup. You can step right onto mellow lakeside paths or hop on the paved Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes for easy miles.
Cycling with a dog jogger works great here, and the grades are gentle. Bring water, a reflective leash, and sun protection on exposed stretches. Afternoon swims for humans are refreshing, while dogs can cool paws at the edge.
Reservations are recommended during summer festivals. Expect quiet nights and vibrant birdlife at dawn. Keep treats handy for training moments when bikes and wildlife pass close by.
Stanley Lake – Stanley, Idaho
Stanley Lake sits in a bowl of jagged peaks, offering postcard views from nearly every site. Campsites are spaced with enough breathing room to feel calm, and the lakeshore is steps away. You will love the flat path along the water for sunrise wanders and easy evening loops.
Try the Stanley Lake Creek Trail for gentle terrain and big mountain drama. Afternoons invite paddling while your dog snoozes in the shade. Pack layers, because even July nights can turn surprisingly cool at altitude.
Bear canisters or lockers are smart here. Keep dogs leashed near busy launches and respect quiet hours. When the wind dies, the reflections look unreal, making sunrise coffee taste even better.
Bear Lake State Park – Paris, Idaho
Bear Lake is famous for turquoise water that looks almost unreal, and campsites feel open with room to spread out. You can stroll the shoreline or wander flat park roads for effortless dog walks. Breezes help on hot days, and sunsets paint the water cotton-candy colors.
Launch kayaks in calm morning water, then retreat to shade for midday naps. Bring extra stakes for afternoon winds and a long leash for relaxed lounging. Paws stay happier with a towel and fresh water breaks.
Nearby small towns offer ice and treats, but stock up on essentials before arriving. Summer weekends fill fast, so reserve early. Keep dogs leashed on beaches, and pack out waste to preserve the lake’s clarity.
Bruneau Dunes – Bruneau, Idaho
Bruneau Dunes delivers a surreal desert change-up with the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America. Campsites are open, sunny, and surprisingly quiet, with views straight to the dunes. You will enjoy gentle loops around the basin early or late to keep paws cool.
Bring booties for hot sand and extra water for both of you. The small lake adds a breezy break, and nighttime stargazing near the observatory is extraordinary. Winds can rise quickly, so secure awnings and keep gear low.
Facilities include hookups in some loops and clean restrooms. Spring and fall are sweet spots for temperatures. Keep your dog leashed to protect wildlife and avoid dune slopes during midday heat.