Helende
Helende Campground is located 10 miles east of Lowman, Idaho, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 4,100 feet. The South Fork Payette River lies a few hundred yards away. Visitors enjoy fishing and rafting on the river, soaking at nearby Kirkham Hot Springs and exploring the extensive Kirkham Ridge Trail.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · big rigs in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 10 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 45 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 002 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 003 | Back-in | 50 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 004 | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 005 | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 006 | Back-in | 60 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 007 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |||
| 008 | Back-in | 65 | Paved | Full | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 010 | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Full | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 009 - Double Site | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | No / No | Riverfront | 16 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 65 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | There is a $5 fee for vehicles entering the campground for day use. |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 002, 003, 004 and 6 more are listed accessible |
The campground contains single-family sites, all of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | End of May to End of September |
| Forest | Boise National Forest |
| Booking | This is a fee campground with 15 sites. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Boise, Idaho, take State Highway 55 to Banks. Turn east and travel on Forest Highway 24/Banks-Lowman Highway to Lowman. Turn left on Highway 21. Campground is located at milepost 82.
| Nearest town | Lowman, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.0928° N, 115.4758° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
1 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
40 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Bob Greenwood's Ski Haus ↗ | 48 mi |
| RV sales & service | Allan Marsh Travel Center ↗ | 50.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Helende National Forest Campground in the Boise NF, 8 miles North of Lowman, Idaho.
Worth a stop
Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway and Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. Both byways offer scenic views, wildlife watching, historical information kiosks and several trail opportunities. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the South Fork and Main Payette Rivers. Several companies in the area offer guided half and full-day trips.
- 3.1 mi
- 3.3 miJackson Peak Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 3.6 miKirkham Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 3.1 miKirkham Ridge ↗35.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.3 miJackson Peak ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 3.7 miKirkham Interpretive0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miMiller Mountain3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.7 miTen Mile Ridge ↗12.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Boise National Forest.
- inBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
- 7.3 miSawtooth National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,190,139 acres
- 11 miSawtooth Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 217,511 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated in a dense forest of lodgepole and Ponderosa pine, which offers plentiful shade in most sites. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape. Deer and elk may be seen wandering through the area on occasion.
Recreation
The South Fork Payette River offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing. The Deadwood and Danskin River Access areas are nearby. Popular Kirkham Hot Springs is less than 5 miles west of the campground along Highway 21. A trail with staircases leads down to the soaking pools on the riverside. Kirkham Ridge Trail is one of the Lowman Ranger District's premier trails. It begins near Kirkham Campground and stretches through beautiful country for 35 miles, connecting with many other trails in the area. It is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Sections of the trail are open seasonally to off-road vehicles.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Helende?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Helende?
There is a $5 fee for vehicles entering the campground for day use.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Helende?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Helende have?
10 sites, including 10 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Helende?
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Helende?
Yes, pets are allowed at Helende. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Helende?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Helende?
Sites 001, 002, 003, and 004 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 10 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Helende?
The South Fork Payette River offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Helende?
Lowman, Idaho. Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway and Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.
Source: Getting there
What if Helende is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kirkham (3.6 mi), Park Creek (Idaho) (5.5 mi, partly first-come), and Mountain View (6.4 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby