Lower Penstemon

Star3.89
45 reviews
2306 HILAND AVE, BURLEY, ID 83318, USA

Quick Facts

6,600 ft

Price

$8/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Open May 22, 2025 - ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Minidoka Ranger District site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Lower Penstemon
$8.00 - $8.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Facility rates during peak season (May 22, 2025 - September 30, 2025) are $8 per night for standard non-electric sites. Additional fees may apply for...
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Standard Site Fee$8.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
208-678-0430
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What Campers Say

3.89

Mixed Reviews

Based on 45 reviews

23 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulshade

""User sentiment for Lower Penstemon Campground is mixed, with an average campground-specific review score of 3.35/5. Common themes include appreciation for the remote location and natural beauty, paired with frustrations about poor maintenance and cleanliness.""

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Campground Map

2306 HILAND AVE, BURLEY, ID 83318, USA

Lower Penstemon

2306 HILAND AVE, BURLEY, ID 83318, USA

Driving directionsTravel south on Twin Falls County Road G3 which becomes Forest Road 515, commonly known as Rock Creek Road, for approximately 27 miles from Hansen.
The campground is accessible via Twin Falls County Road G3, transitioning into Forest Road 515 (Rock Creek Road), which is gravel for a significant portion. The road is described as dusty gravel and remote, about an hour off the highway.
Nearby places
Hansen (27 miles)

Best Time to Camp at Lower Penstemon

Summer brings a delightful respite from valley heat, with pleasantly mild days perfect for outdoor adventures and refreshingly cool evenings ideal for campfire gatherings. As autumn transitions to winter, the landscape transforms into a serene wonderland where temperatures dip below freezing and light snowfall dusts the forest canopy. The winter months paint a picture of crisp, dry days punctuated by gentle snow showers, creating a peaceful atmosphere for those seeking solitude in nature's quiet season.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Pleasant summer temps and wildlife; reviewers also note flies and vault-toilet odors.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Aspen color and cooler temps likely appealing; campground open into late Sept only.

Spring(Mar-May)
2.5 / 5

Opens late May; spring conditions likely variable with snow/mud before opening.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is open May 22–Sept 30; closed during winter months.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 22, 2025 - September 30, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 22, 2025 - September 30, 2025.

About Lower Penstemon

Nestled along the winding Rock Creek Road in southern Idaho's pristine backcountry, Lower Penstemon Campground offers an authentic mountain escape at 6,600 feet elevation. This tranquil retreat features thoughtfully spaced single-family campsites equipped with essential amenities including vault toilets and fresh drinking water, all connected by well-maintained gravel roads and parking spurs. Adventure seekers flock here to explore miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, saddle up for memorable horseback rides through the wilderness, or challenge themselves on the rugged off-road trails that crisscross this spectacular landscape.
"Lower Penstemon Campground accommodates tent camping, RV camping, and standard campsites. Group camping, primitive sites, and luxury options like glamping are not available."
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
11:00 AM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay allowed is up to 14 nights.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

"Lower Penstemon Campground provides recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, trout fishing, horseback riding, and off-road vehicle trails. However, user reviews highlight mixed experiences with these activities. 'The creek that supposedly offers great trout fishing is more like an irrigation ditch,' mentioned one camper. Trails such as Third Fork, Pike Mountain, Rim View, and Porcupine Spring originate nearby."
Hiking"Hiking trails such as Third Fork, Pike Mountain, Rim View, and Porcupine Spring are accessible from the campground. One user described a trail along the ridge above the campground, recommending a steep climb of about 100 yards to observe deer grazing in the valley."
Fishing"Rock Creek runs along the campground, offering trout fishing. However, user feedback casts doubt on the quality of fishing, with one stating, 'The creek that supposedly offers great trout fishing is more like an irrigation ditch.'"
BikingMountain biking trails are available, though specifics on trail difficulty or terrain are not provided.
Wildlife viewing"Wildlife sightings are frequent in the area, with moose being commonly spotted according to user reviews. 'We were surprised to see so many moose… it was awesome,' wrote one camper."
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include heavy flies and poorly maintained vault toilets as noted by users, along with dusty gravel roads and lack of water availability.
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Lower Penstemon

Reviews

3.9
45 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Lower Penstemon has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
"User sentiment for Lower Penstemon Campground is mixed, with an average campground-specific review score of 3.35/5. Common themes include appreciation for the remote location and natural beauty, paired with frustrations about poor maintenance and cleanliness."
Review Summaries
Based on 45 reviews

What Campers Love

"Many campers praised the peacefulness, shade, and wildlife sightings at the campground. 'Quiet, peaceful campground,' wrote one user, and another mentioned their surprise at seeing moose during...
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Based on 45 reviews

Common Concerns

"Frequent complaints included lack of potable water, poorly maintained vault toilets, and litter left by previous campers. 'No fresh water was available,' noted one visitor, while another described...
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Based on 45 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

"Multiple users recommend bringing your own water due to frequent issues with water pumps. Others suggested bringing toilet paper and cleaning supplies as bathrooms are often not stocked or clean."
Based on 45 reviews

Seasonal Insights

"Summer months saw complaints about flies and odors from vault toilets, while the remote setting was appreciated for quiet camping experiences. Wildlife sightings were more common during summer."
Based on 45 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This site is not maintained at all. The pit vaults could be smelled several feet away from them and looked like they hadn’t been touched in weeks." "Quiet, peaceful campground." "We were surprised...
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Based on 45 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

"Site 002 and 004 received multiple mentions in reviews. Site 002 was described as dirty but quiet, whereas site 004 had mixed feedback, with one user loving the shade and another complaining about...
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Based on 45 reviews

Accessibility Features

"No specific reviews about accessibility features were provided, though issues with vault toilets and uneven terrain may present challenges."
Based on 45 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

"Pets are allowed, though no specific pet-related features or experiences were mentioned in the reviews."
Based on 45 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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