Is Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side first-come first-served or reservation?

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side?

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side is open Seasonal access: late season snowdrifts often block access until early to mid-July; very popular in summer, especially early July through Labor Day.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side?

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side have?

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side has 26 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side?

Pets are not allowed at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side?

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side?

Popular activities at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

4.06

50 reviews

Top 22% in UTSummer

Family FriendlyScenic ViewsSummer Destination

Featured in:Summer Camping Utah

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Quick Facts

8,300 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

26 campsites

Season

Seasonal access: lat...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book Online Official Website

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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

8,300 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

26 campsites

Season

Seasonal access: lat...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

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Campground Map

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

42.3191, -113.6518

Nearby places

Route passes through the towns of Declo and Albion

approximately 18 miles on State Highway 77 from I-84 exit 216 to Howell Canyon Road, then about 7 miles on Howell Canyon Road to the campground.

Driving directionsFrom Interstate 84, take exit 216 and follow State Highway 77 south approximately 18 miles, through the towns of Declo and Albion, to Howell Canyon Road. Turn west at the Pomerelle Ski Area sign and drive up the canyon on Howell Canyon Road another 7 miles. The road is steep and winding. Look for an entrance sign on your right. Use caution with travel trailers and RVs, as not all campground loops are suitable for trailer turnarounds.

Weather at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

Best Time to Camp at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

Best season: summer. Visit in summer to experience the short, spectacular alpine season when wildflower meadows and crystal-clear water are at their peak and all trail and boat access is open. Expect daytime highs roughly 55–75°F (13–24°C) and crisp nights around 30–40°F (-1–4°C), ideal for hiking, fishing, boating and swimming (water is cold). The campground is busiest from early July through Labor Day—weekends fill fast—so plan reservations or arrive midweek for fewer crowds. Peak months: July, August, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in UT

Peak season early July–Labor Day: all activities available, pleasant highs 55–75°F.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Seasonal access: late season snowdrifts often block access until early to mid-July; very popular in summer, especially early July through Labor Day.

About Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

Lake Cleveland Campground sits at 8,300 feet in a glacially carved alpine basin beneath Mt. Harrison, where subalpline forest meets wildflower meadows and the lake reflects surrounding peaks. The 26-site campground operates first-come, first-served and fills quickly on summer weekends, often by mid-afternoon. The East loop handles large RVs and trailers; the West loop has a tight turn-around and limited space.

The campground comprises two developed loops with a total of 26 campsites: East loop (17 sites; 7 reservable, 10 first-come) and West loop (9 first-come sites). East loop is suited to large RVs and trailers while the West loop has tight turnarounds and steep terrain that make trailers inadvisable.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Visit in summer to experience the short, spectacular alpine season when wildflower meadows and crystal-clear water are at their peak and all trail and boat access is open. Expect daytime highs roughly 55–75°F (13–24°C) and crisp nights around 30–40°F (-1–4°C), ideal for hiking, fishing, boating and swimming (water is cold). The campground is busiest from early July through Labor Day—weekends fill fast—so plan reservations or arrive midweek for fewer crowds. Peak months: July, August, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation8300 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryAncient glaciers carved this high basin into the flanks of Mt. Harrison, leaving a perfect bowl that cradles the lake near timberline. The campground occupies that transition zone where subalpine forest yields to meadows that burst with wildflowers each summer. On clear days, views stretch north across the Snake River Plain and south to desert ranges in Utah and Nevada. Mt. Harrison's 9,240-foot summit rises just 940 feet above camp. The lake itself is small, crystal-clear, and cold even in summer.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site SizeEast loop suited for large RVs and trailers; West loop has limited space and a tight turn-around, not advised for trailers.

Total Campsites26 campsites

Recommended SitesEast campground loop: 17 sites (7 reservable, 10 first-come, first-served) and better for larger RVs/trailers. West campground loop: 9 sites, all first-come, first-served; trailers not advised because of tight turnarounds and steep terrain.

Best CampsitesThe East loop handles large RVs and trailers with 17 sites, though only seven are reservable. The West loop's nine sites are all first-come, first-served with steep terrain and a tight turn-around that makes trailers impractical. Reviewers note shaded sites throughout, though no specific site numbers appear in the feedback.

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Amenities available

The campground is divided into East and West loops: the East loop has 17 sites (7 reservable, 10 first-come/first-served) and is best suited for large RVs and trailers; the West loop has 9 first-come/first-served sites and trailers are not advised due to a very tight turn-around caused by steep terrain.

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Activities you can enjoy

Popular summer activities at Lake Cleveland include fishing, hiking, swimming, and non-motorized boating. Nearby recreation includes lift-served mountain bike and hiking trails at Pomerelle, the Skyline Trail for hiking and mountain biking, and a visitor-accessible fire lookout on Mt. Harrison.

Hiking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.1

50 reviews

Satisfactory

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side, consistently describing it as beautiful, peaceful, and family-friendly, with excellent lake and mountain scenery. Many highlight the quality fishing, fun exploring opportunities, and long-term improvements to the campground and access road.

Review Summaries

Based on 50 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers love the stunning mountain-lake setting, describing it as “beautiful,” “fabulous,” and “the best small mountain lake in S. Idaho.” The campground is praised as very family-friendly, with kids...

Based on 50 reviews

Common Concerns

There are very few complaints in these reviews. One reviewer notes that there can be “too many people,” suggesting it can feel busy at times, and another casually mentions being stung by a bee. No...

Based on 50 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer notes that “not all, but quite a few of the sites are well shaded,” indicating variability between individual campsites, and another mentions that campsites in general are “very well...

Based on 50 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Multiple reviewers emphasize that the campground is first-come, first-served and that spots can fill up quickly, with one camper reporting they got the last site around 4 p.m. on a Friday. A detailed...

Based on 50 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Best small mountain lake in S. Idaho! Pristeen and awesome fishing!” “My children were in heaven here. Loved exploring and climbing on the rocks, climbing the mountains around it, going for walks...

Based on 50 reviews

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Go if

Families who fish, float, or scramble on rocks will get the most out of this place. The East loop handles large RVs cleanly. Midweek arrival is the real trick at this elevation, where a clear night sky and cold lake are the main draws.

Skip if

Trailer owners eyeing the West loop should reconsider, steep terrain and a very tight turn-around make it genuinely hazardous. The road also stays snow-blocked until early to mid-July most years, so a June booking is a gamble.

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