How much does camping cost at Lower Penstemon?

Camping fees at Lower Penstemon are $8/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Lower Penstemon first-come first-served or reservation?

Lower Penstemon 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.

Can I see photos of campsites at Lower Penstemon before I book?

Yes! Lower Penstemon has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve.

What is the best time to visit Lower Penstemon?

Lower Penstemon is open May 22 to September 30. 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 Lower Penstemon?

Lower Penstemon does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Lower Penstemon?

Fire policies at Lower Penstemon: 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.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Lower Penstemon have?

Lower Penstemon has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Lower Penstemon?

Yes, pets are allowed at Lower Penstemon. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Lower Penstemon?

Lower Penstemon offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Lower Penstemon?

Popular activities at Lower Penstemon include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Lower Penstemon

3.93

52 reviews

2306 HILAND AVE, BURLEY, ID 83318, USA

FReport Card

Featured in:Fishing Idaho

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

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

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

Book on Recreation.gov Official Website

Get Directions

Lower Penstemon

$8.00 / night

Campsite Fees

S&P Single: $8.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $8.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

208-678-0430

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

2306 HILAND AVE, BURLEY, ID 83318, USA

Lower Penstemon

2306 HILAND AVE, BURLEY, ID 83318, USA

Nearby places

Hansen (27 miles)

Weather at Lower Penstemon

Current alerts(3)

Click here for more information on the Sawtooth National Forest
Due to a new well installation for the Rock Creek water system, there will be no water available until August 31th, 2019. Please plan accordingly and bring all the water you will need for your stay.
Idaho OHV Safety Message

Best Time to Camp at Lower Penstemon

Best season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of open access, mild daytime temperatures (typically mid-60s to mid-70s °F) and long daylight for hiking, mountain biking and fishing on Rock Creek; nights commonly drop into the 30s–40s, so layers are needed. Trails, dispersed wildlife viewing and angling are at their peak from late June through August, and the campground's potable water and vault toilets make multi-night stays comfortable. Crowds are moderate — it's a popular mountain escape but still quieter Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season per park: mild temps, long daylight and peak wildlife/wildflower viewing.

Planning Tips

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

About Lower Penstemon

Lower Penstemon is a free, very small campground in Sawtooth National Forest managed by the Minidoka Ranger District, situated in mid-elevation forest near Burley. The campground offers shaded tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables, drawing visitors for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing along Rock Creek. Moose sightings are common, and the peaceful setting appeals to campers seeking solitude during the summer season.

"Lower Penstemon Campground accommodates tent camping, RV camping, and standard campsites. Group camping, primitive sites, and luxury options like glamping are not available."

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the best combination of open access, mild daytime temperatures (typically mid-60s to mid-70s °F) and long daylight for hiking, mountain biking and fishing on Rock Creek; nights commonly drop into the 30s–40s, so layers are needed. Trails, dispersed wildlife viewing and angling are at their peak from late June through August, and the campground's potable water and vault toilets make multi-night stays comfortable. Crowds are moderate — it's a popular mountain escape but still quieter Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation6600 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryRock Creek cuts through mixed conifer and aspen forest at this elevation, creating partial shade across the campsites. Wildflowers bloom in summer, including the penstemon varieties that give the campground its name. Campers report regular deer and elk sightings, with moose occasionally wandering through. The forest canopy thins enough to let in dappled sunlight, and raptors circle overhead on thermals.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no lodge-style accommodations or cabins available at the campground.

Programs & Activities"No cultural or educational programs are mentioned in the authoritative sources or user reviews."

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay allowed is up to 14 nights.

Groups

"No group camping sites are explicitly available at Lower Penstemon Campground."

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessibility features were not explicitly mentioned in the source materials or reviews. Vault toilets may pose challenges based on user feedback.

Site SizeMixed sizes available, with some sites offering more flat areas for tents versus others with limited parking space or uneven terrain.

PrivacyPartial shade and mixed conifer and aspen forests provide some privacy for campers, though reviews indicate sites are clustered closely together. One user noted that hiking trails and creek access require walking through other campsites.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 2 is preferred for larger groups due to its flat area, proximity to bathrooms, and parking space.

Need help booking Lower Penstemon?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

"Lower Penstemon Campground offers basic amenities, including vault toilets, drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Roads and parking areas within the campground are gravel, and the campground is located along a main road, so some noise from passing vehicles is expected. However, multiple reviews criticize the maintenance of these amenities, with one user stating, 'The pit vaults could be smelled several feet away from them and looked like they hadn’t been touched in weeks.' Another camper mentioned the bathrooms being 'filthy' and carpets of dead flies on the floor, although an external camp host cleaned them during their stay."

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Lower Penstemon

"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."

Hiking4.0/5

Multiple trails (Third Fork, Pike Mountain, Rim View, Porcupine Spring) accessible from campground.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Biking3.0/5

Mountain biking trails are available though trail details/difficulty are not provided.

Winter Activities2.0/5

Water Sports

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are explicitly not available; users reported on the vault toilets instead.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.9

52 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 52 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...

Based on 52 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...

Based on 52 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...

Based on 52 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 52 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 52 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...

Based on 52 reviews