Swan Falls Reservoir Campground
Idaho Power Recreation Area
Write a Review Swan Falls Rd. Dirt Extension Murphy, ID 83650 208-384-3300 Official WebsiteGPS: 43.2427, -116.3761
Overview of Swan Falls Reservoir Campground
Camp in designated areas only due to the fragile soil and plant life.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by camper-778328 on 5/24/2024
Longest RV Reported: 30 feet (Travel Trailer)
Reported by Bforland on 5/17/2020
Number of Sites 5
Pad Type gravel
Elevation 2,296 ft / 699 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Swan Falls Reservoir Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 208-384-3300
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Reviews of Swan Falls Reservoir Campground 10 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 2 Users
Last reported 6/10/2021
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 6/10/2021
“Beautiful Historic Park Maintained By Idaho Power”
Reviewed 5/24/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Site Number: | 8 |
Overall Rating
We dry camped lakeside and wandered through the shady grass picnic area around the historic buildings and dam. Dry camping only with modest cell service (AT&T) but an oasis. Road to area is steep downhill but views in are spectacular. We have truck/27 ft travel trailer and it was no problem. Fire pits in most sites. Great spot for a ni... more
We dry camped lakeside and wandered through the shady grass picnic area around the historic buildings and dam. Dry camping only with modest cell service (AT&T) but an oasis. Road to area is steep downhill but views in are spectacular. We have truck/27 ft travel trailer and it was no problem. Fire pits in most sites. Great spot for a night or more.
camper-778328 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet & No Cell Service”
Reviewed 6/12/2023
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 17 |
Overall Rating
This place was very quiet and nice to stay for a night.
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Verizon
Carcrazygirl would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful site, cell service is horrible”
Reviewed 6/10/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 19 |
| RV Length: | 29' |
Overall Rating
We read the reviews thinking we'd have enough internet to work. No T-Mobile, Verizon had 1 bar and didn't work. AT&T had very little service if you stood in the right spot with your head tilted. It is very pretty, but when you need cell service, this isn't the spot for you.
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AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Free reservoir camp in a canyon”
Reviewed 1/22/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 10 |
| Site Number: | 19 |
Overall Rating
Very nice sites, vith vault toilet, and picnic tables, right at the water's edge.
There is no AT&T cell coverage down in the canyon, only at the top where the entrance road starts.
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AT&T
Raidskinsfan would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“perfect spot to stay for the night!”
Reviewed 9/16/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | n/a |
Overall Rating
I’m on a solo trip and want to make sure I have cell service wherever I go for safety. If you go left at the antennas at the top of the ridge and stay right towards the ridge, there’s a few spots to stay at. I drove all the way down the ridge to the water too and there’s some spots there—just no cell service! I found a spot at the top ... more
I’m on a solo trip and want to make sure I have cell service wherever I go for safety. If you go left at the antennas at the top of the ridge and stay right towards the ridge, there’s a few spots to stay at. I drove all the way down the ridge to the water too and there’s some spots there—just no cell service! I found a spot at the top of the ridge and there was nobody there. Perfect spot for the night!
mrobinsom1 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing ”
Reviewed 6/27/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Great views. Like the commenter below suggested, take a left by the antenna/ hut and then stay near the rim. The camping is good for tent camping and cell service is good
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AT&T 4G
Camrox would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Pretty Good.. ”
Reviewed 5/17/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 28 |
| RV Length: | 30' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
1. Down in the canyon - - No cell service - Road into campsites kind of sucks - Moon dust everywhere - windy - lots of cars in and out all day - was able to fit my 30 foot camper in Campsite 2, don’t ask me how I managed to do this. Try at your own risk. I’ll post a picture of it. - snake river is amazing - campsites are v... more
1. Down in the canyon -
- No cell service
- Road into campsites kind of sucks
- Moon dust everywhere
- windy
- lots of cars in and out all day
- was able to fit my 30 foot camper in Campsite 2, don’t ask me how I managed to do this. Try at your own risk. I’ll post a picture of it.
- snake river is amazing
- campsites are very close to river, some on river. Couldn’t find any sites on the river that would fit our 30 foot camper, but across the street there were a few. Again, try at own risk.
My advice is to drop trailer, drive in and scope out and then if you find a spot go back and get your trailer.
On top of canyon
- beautiful views, insane!
- windy
- less dust and bugs
- watch out for rattlesnakes
- innumerable amount of free camping, just have to search for a good spot off the roads.
- 35 minutes from Kuna, Boise.
- 2-4 bar LTE cell service pretty much everywhere on top of canyon. Again, none down in the canyon.
My setup
2018 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi
2017 30’ Coleman Lantern Camper
Added all of this information because it will help out a lot of full timers and folks with larger setups. Wish more people did this for us.
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Verizon 4G
Bforland would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“so good...”
Reviewed 10/10/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 6 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
don’t listen to other commenters, this place is in my top five free spots across n. america. the key is, don’t go down into the gorge. at the top next to the small building/antenna, take a left and follow the road next to the rim. more wind equals less bugs, very few people and great sunsets. the road goes for miles and there are unlim... more
don’t listen to other commenters, this place is in my top five free spots across n. america. the key is, don’t go down into the gorge. at the top next to the small building/antenna, take a left and follow the road next to the rim. more wind equals less bugs, very few people and great sunsets. the road goes for miles and there are unlimited sites. the first few give you full cell service.
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AT&T 4G
Brian would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Loud and Dusty”
Reviewed 5/8/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
This place has so so so much potential. There are very few spots for larger campers/RVs. We arrived around 7 PM on Friday and found the only spot left which we learned the next morning was actually a turn out. Idaho Power came by to say hello and give us a trash bag (a nice touch) and just asked that we not camp in that spot next time.... more
This place has so so so much potential. There are very few spots for larger campers/RVs. We arrived around 7 PM on Friday and found the only spot left which we learned the next morning was actually a turn out. Idaho Power came by to say hello and give us a trash bag (a nice touch) and just asked that we not camp in that spot next time. If you take your rig down river from the dam then make sure you are very skilled at backing and turning around. Opportunities are limited.
There was constant traffic up and down the road until 3:30 in the morning. Lots of subwoofers and people driving way too fast. If you have a dog or small kids, do not pick one of the spots close the road.
There are virtually no trees. This makes camping here a spring and fall opportunity in my opinion.
It’s truly breathtaking scenery and hiking and fishing options abound. To us, the noise and constant traffic outweighed this for us.
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AT&T
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Spot, Uncontrolled Partying”
Reviewed 10/10/2016
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
I've stayed at the Swan Falls Campground twice - once in late winter (February) and once in fall (October). The campground is in a beautiful spot along the Snake River, close to Swan Falls Dam. Many of the campsites were built and are maintained by Idaho Power, and at some point along the dirt road the ownership switches to BLM. ... more
I've stayed at the Swan Falls Campground twice - once in late winter (February) and once in fall (October).
The campground is in a beautiful spot along the Snake River, close to Swan Falls Dam. Many of the campsites were built and are maintained by Idaho Power, and at some point along the dirt road the ownership switches to BLM.
The majority of the sites are riverfront, and all are free. Few sites are suitable for bigger rigs. The sites are small, uneven, and have a thick layer of fine-particle dust. The sites are fine for tents, camper vans, popup trailers, etc.
The access road is steep with one tight switchback. It is paved and well maintained. The campsites are along a one-lane dirt road with pullouts which follows the river.
The biggest challenge with this location is partying. Both times I've stayed I've been surrounded by large groups drinking, yelling, playing loud music from their trucks, burning palettes, and driving recklessly (and, presumably, drunkenly) down the dirt road from campsite to campsite at all hours of the night.
The scenery and water access are excellent, but until the partying gets a bit of regulation I'll be steering clear.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- water access
Facilities
- ADA Accessible
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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