Independence Lakes Campground
Independence Lake Campground and Picnic Area is a non-fee campground and picnic area where reservations are not required. There are 5 single sites. This area is accessible for a season that varies usually between July through October. Sites are handicapped accessible. Campground amenities include 9 tables and grills, toilets, and livestock facilities. No drinking water or trash service is available. Nearby Independence Lakes Trail (#35) is 3.1 miles to the Lake. Only non-motorized travel is authorized. The first mile is rocky, however the remainder is a reasonable grade with switchbacks to the first of four lakes in the alpine cirque basin.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · dark sky in Idaho
Amenities & rules
| Dark sky | 8 miles from City of Rocks National Reserve, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Sawtooth National Forest |
| Rules | Occupancy: The following act is prohibited within the Minidoka Ranger District: Pursuant to 36 CFR 262.58 (a), camping in any area including a developed recreation site or an undeveloped/dispersed recreation site for more than 14 (fourteen) days in a 28 (twenty-eight) day period. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 42.2183° N, 113.6744° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedStinson Creek Rx 2026
1 mi from the campground · 450 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.8 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Xtreme RV ↗ | 40.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miFairchild Creek ↗9.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.3 miJim Carter Spur0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.5 miIndependence Lakes ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.6 miStinson1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.7 miRanger ↗10 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miCross Creek2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Swanger HallBuilding · Albion · 14.2 mi
- Albion Methodist ChurchBuilding · Albion · 14.3 mi
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 Independence Lakes Campground?
No. Independence Lakes Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
Is Independence Lakes Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
Is Independence Lakes Campground good for stargazing?
City of Rocks National Reserve, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 8 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What if Independence Lakes Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Twin Lakes Campground (Sawtooth) (7.3 mi, first-come), Lake Cleveland - East Side (7.4 mi, partly first-come), and Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side (7.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby