Boise National Forest$12
Helende
Total sites: 10
Available Today: 10 FF*
Available this Weekend: 6 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Today: 10 FF*
Available this Weekend: 6 FF*
Booking Window: 6 months
4,186 ft
83°F
53°F
53°F
no signal
Helende Campground, ID - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
Helende Campground is located in the Lowman Ranger District, Boise National Forest (1 hr 54 min northeast of Boise, ID) with an elevation of 4,186 feet. There are a total of 10 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 65 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $12.00 to $24.00. Some amenities include drinking water, accessible, restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include biking, boating, ohv trails nearby, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports, ohv allowed from campsite.
Campsite Reviews (37)
4.4 out of 5
| 5 star | 65% | |
| 4 star | 16% | |
| 3 star | 14% | |
| 2 star | 0% | |
| 1 star | 5% |
@PatrickR4A9294 · Camped on Jul 13, 2025 at Campsite #8
Camp hosts are friendly, restrooms were kept clean and the camping spot was in great condition when we arrived.
@MalloryF971299 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #9
I have mixed feelings about this campground. Pros:-the bathrooms were clean, well stocked, and well maintained. -the hosts were very friendly and knowledgeable.-there is trash service and water (through a pump...good arm workout!)-the sites were far enough away that it felt pretty quiet. -it is close to a lot of things (hot springs, hikes, etc.)-there is a nice area on the beach. Cons:-there is not as much shade as I was hoping (we were in site 9). But there are some sites with more, but there was one site we saw that had no shade at all. -for a double site, it didn't feel much bigger than the other sites. There was a bigger parking pad though. -the chipmunks there are VERY aggressive. If we turned our back on the food on our table for any longer than like 3 minutes, they were jumping up on the table trying to (and succeeding) in eating our food. We had to keep everything in our vehicles at all times or they would chew holes in things that were any softer than a hard cooler. Maybe if you bring a dog you'd be ok, but the chipmunks were ridiculous. For that reason alone, we may not go back...but we will see. -there is NO service whatsoever, which can also be good, but just be prepared. There is a little restaurant about 2 miles up the road that provides wifi if you really need to get ahold of someone at some point. All in all, we enjoyed our time there, but the dang chipmunks really put a damper on things.
@SusanS9297654 · Camped on Jun 23, 2025 at Campsite #1
Campground was clean and pretty much deserted. Despite getting one of the last reservations available, at the beginning of the year, we were the only campers in the place for two out of three nights. There was a camp host set up at one site, but he was on the premises for less than an hour over three days. For reasons unknown to us, he had a chest freezer that ran on a generator. It was a fairly quiet generator, but at night it was clearly audible. Definitely detracted from the stay. Campgrounds in the Lowman area were heavily cleared to deal with problematic trees. These trees were safety and fire hazards, so it needed to be done, but it did leave a mess that will take time to heal. Upside is that the wildflowers were abundant. Easy access the South Fork of the Payette River from the campground.
@NatalyaO59E532 · Camped on Jun 20, 2025 at Campsite #10
Great camping spot. Bathrooms were very clean. Will be back
@RobertC4745893 · Camped on Jun 19, 2025 at Campsite #3
A lot of stumps and branches from trees blown down in wind storm were everywhere. Made the campground a lot less appealing. Should have been cleaned up.
@JeffM1730911 · Camped on Jun 11, 2025 at Campsite #6
Do you think it is possible to smooth out the road into Helende? It is so bumpy. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful and kept the bathrooms clean.
@JulietBD8A5F74 · Camped on May 30, 2025 at Campsite #6
Great hosts, clean campground & restroom. Garbage service & Water provided. This is a great middle point for day hikes and other exploration around Lowman area.
@KyleW8796375 · Camped on Aug 10, 2024 at Campsite #8
Campground was small, quiet and well maintained. Host was very knowledgeable, friendly.
@KristenB526611 · Camped on Jun 21, 2024 at Campsite #1
Im so sad. Half of the trees have been cut down or are marked to be cut down. It seems like theyre building another campground right behind this one and it just wont fit. Very little privacy. Bathrooms were awful on the first day. Someone created a small fire pit out of rocks next to the fire pit and the campsite was a mess. Branches and pine needles everywhere. We spent thirty minutes raking it away from the fire and clearing a spot for the tent. All in all Helende isnt what it used to be. So bummed.
@DaveM7344120 · Camped on Sep 2, 2023 at Campsite #8
Nice peaceful setting, very large sites, beautiful stretch of river nearby, campground host was helpful. We enjoyed our stay very much. Only negative was no potable water because contamination had been detected in the well, and the pump was deactivated until the well tests clear again. It made the water situation a bit inconvenient, and this information could have been posted on the site or emailed to people making bookings.
@TrinityN6A9B76 · Camped on Aug 25, 2023 at Campsite #9
The camp host was really rude and nosey. The campground was awesome tho
@HeatherS702716 · Camped on Jul 14, 2023 at Campsite #10
It gets cold at night even in July at this elevation. Remember to look for Kirkham hot springs and don't go where the big white and black sign says hot Springs pool with an arrow pointing uphill. That's private land. The campground host was friendly and helpful.
@HeatherO583711 · Camped on Aug 5, 2022 at Campsite #7
This was a great campsite. Very quiet and just a short walk to the river. Would love to go back.
@JeralynM453052 · Camped on Jul 13, 2022 at Campsite #1
What an absolutely beautiful, idyllic spot to go camping. We loved being in such a secluded campground. We were at 001, and we thought that that spot, or 003 were the best of them all. It was close to the river, had some nice tree cover, and the campsite and bathroom were clean and well maintained. We went during a brutal heat wave, so that was miserable because we went with young children and there was little relief from the sun. At the hottest times of the day I did wish there was more shade. But we loved the chipmunk visitors, the proximity to the river, the peace and quiet, and the view!! It was so gorgeous to look out around us into the forest. I’m truly glad we went to Helende.
Oh I almost forgot - the campsite is absolutely filthy … with dirt. Our feet were brown all day and night, and anything that went near the ground was covered with powder-fine dirt. So get ready to be dirty! But it’s easy to clean when you get home.
Oh I almost forgot - the campsite is absolutely filthy … with dirt. Our feet were brown all day and night, and anything that went near the ground was covered with powder-fine dirt. So get ready to be dirty! But it’s easy to clean when you get home.
@MichaelO142645 · Camped on Jun 23, 2022 at Campsite #3
Dave the camp host was great! We had a wonderful time. We rented the whole campground for a family reunion and enjoyed our time together immensely!
@KrisG2032270 · Camped on Jun 17, 2022 at Campsite #8
Greatly enjoyed this campground. The host had perfect balance running the place. The generators turned on and off at reasonable hours. No prolonged barking dogs. A few short trails right out of the campground. Clean bathrooms and well run.
@SusanS9297654 · Camped on Jun 14, 2022 at Campsite #3
First time at Helende. Sites are nicely spaced and very clean. Camp was full both nights we were there, but it was very quiet and everyone was well behaved. The South Fork of the Payette is just a short walk from the camp. Camp host clearly keeps things clean and tidy, he also has a great personality. Only complaint was the water pump. It was hard to use and appeared to need some maintenance. Fix the water pump and Helende is just about the perfect campground for a few days of rest and relaxation.
@AndyB1366086 · Camped on May 25, 2022 at Campsite #1
This was our first stay. We really liked it and will return. Very quiet. Nice walks to the river.
@AnthonyQ699379 · Camped on May 21, 2022 at Campsite #1
Camp host was excellent. Campsite was cleanable and the bathrooms were the best we have ever used.
@KimH4415877 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #2
This is a nice, clean, quiet campground. Not great river access, but nice anyway. We were surprised that they allowed campfires. We thought there was a burn ban but there was one group having a fire.
@KimH282 · Camped on Aug 9, 2021 at Campsite #2
This is a nice, clean, quiet campground. Not great river access, but nice anyway. We were surprised that they allowed campfires. We thought there was a burn ban but there was one group having a fire.
@CollinB892 · Camped on Jul 12, 2021 at Campsite #5
Had a great time and enjoyed the open space.
@CollinB3459490 · Camped on Jul 12, 2021 at Campsite #5
Had a great time and enjoyed the open space.
@CourtneyH67862 · Camped on Jul 3, 2021 at Campsite #2
Great little campground! Short drive to the river with very few people, great fishing!
@CourtneyH301 · Camped on Jul 3, 2021 at Campsite #2
Great little campground! Short drive to the river with very few people, great fishing!
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