Helende Campground
Boise National Forest, Idaho
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As of October 2026, Helende Campground is a campground in Boise National Forest, Idaho with 9 campsites. Helende Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Helende Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Helende Campground is located at 44.0928° N, 115.4758° W.
- people allowed on 8 of 9 sites
- 8
- people allowed on the largest site
- 16
Helende Campground reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Campsites at Helende Campground
- Standard 9
- Accessible 9
What an RV fits
- 25 ft1 site
- 30 ft3 sites
- 35 ft1 site
- 45 ft1 site
- 50 ft1 site
- 60 ft1 site
- 65 ft1 site
Amenities
- restrooms
- potable water
At a glance: Setting: Mountain.
Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife, photography, offroad, horse riding.
All sites at Helende Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the HELE loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Max RV | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | 8 | 45 ft | Accessible |
| 002 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft | Accessible |
| 003 | Standard | 8 | 50 ft | Accessible |
| 005 | Standard | 8 | 25 ft | Accessible |
| 006 | Standard | 8 | 60 ft | Accessible |
| 007 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft | Accessible |
| 008 | Standard | 8 | 65 ft | Accessible |
| 009 - Double Site | Standard | 16 | 35 ft | Accessible |
| 010 | Standard | 8 | 30 ft | Accessible |
About Helende Campground
Overview
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.
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Rules and notices at Helende Campground
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Helende Campground on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
Idaho OHV Safety Message
Maximum two vehicles per site; additional vehicles must use parking lot and pay a fee
Day use fee for non-campers is $5
Additional sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis
Please contact the Lowman Ranger District at 208-259-3361 for off-season camping information
Click here for more information on the Boise National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Helende Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Helende Campground?
Helende Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at Helende Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at Helende Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Helende Campground have?
Helende Campground has 9 campsites.
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