Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

Star4.55
38 reviews
Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

Quick Facts

8,300 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

26 campsites

Season

Seasonal access: lat...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

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Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.55

Top-Rated

Based on 38 reviews

50 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietshadehiking

"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."

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Best Time to Camp at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

Your alpine adventure begins when the last snowdrifts finally release their grip on the access road, typically in early to mid-July. From that moment through Labor Day, the campground comes alive with visitors seeking refuge from the summer heat below. The short but glorious mountain season means every weekend is precious, so plan ahead and consider midweek visits for a better chance at snagging one of these coveted campsites.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Early July to Labor Day. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • 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

Perched at 8,300 feet in a pristine alpine basin beneath the towering summit of Mt. Harrison, Lake Cleveland Campground offers a mountain escape where crystal-clear waters meet wildflower meadows. This beloved summer destination features two distinct loops—the spacious East loop welcoming larger RVs and the intimate West loop better suited for tent campers and smaller rigs—and fills quickly on weekends during the peak season from early July through Labor Day.
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 SeasonsYour alpine adventure begins when the last snowdrifts finally release their grip on the access road, typically in early to mid-July. From that moment through Labor Day, the campground comes alive with visitors seeking refuge from the summer heat below. The short but glorious mountain season means every weekend is precious, so plan ahead and consider midweek visits for a better chance at snagging one of these coveted campsites.
ElevationAt 8,300 feet above sea level, you'll sleep nearly as high as many mountain summits in other ranges. The campground nestles in an alpine basin with Mt. Harrison's 9,240-foot peak standing sentinel above, close enough to the timberline that the air feels noticeably thinner and the stars impossibly bright.
Natural Features and SceneryStanding at the edge of the timberline where forest gives way to alpine tundra, Lake Cleveland Campground immerses you in a landscape painted with seasonal wildflower displays that rival any botanical garden. On clear days, your gaze travels north across the vast expanse of the Snake River Plain, then sweeps southward where distant peaks in Utah and Nevada shimmer on the horizon. The lake itself mirrors the surrounding peaks and ever-changing sky, while Mt. Harrison's 9,240-foot summit looms just 940 feet above camp, beckoning hikers to climb higher still.
Geological RegionThis high alpine basin was carved by ancient glaciers that sculpted the flanks of Mt. Harrison, leaving behind a perfect bowl that now cradles the lake at 8,300 feet. The campground sits in that magical transition zone near timberline where subalpine forests yield to meadows bursting with wildflowers each summer, offering sweeping panoramas from the Snake River Plain stretching north to the desert ranges of Utah and Nevada visible to the south.
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Campsite details

Sites 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 CampsitesEast 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 Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutTwo loops (East and West). East loop: 17 sites (7 reservable, 10 FCFS), suitable for larger RVs and trailers. West loop: 9 FCFS sites with limited turnaround space and steep terrain.
Open and Closed SeasonSeasonal access: late season snowdrifts often block access until early to mid-July; very popular in summer, especially early July through Labor Day.
Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served sites available: East loop 10 FCFS sites (plus 7 reservable), West loop 9 FCFS sites.

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
Hiking is popular; the Skyline Trail (accessible two miles away) is open for hiking and Pomerelle ski area provides lift-served access to hiking trails. Mt. Harrison lookout is open to visitors on most weekends.
Fishing
Fishing on Lake Cleveland is a popular summer activity.
Swimming
Swimming in Lake Cleveland is popular during the summer months.
Biking
Mountain biking access is available nearby via the Pomerelle ski area (lift-served trails) and the Skyline Trail, which is open to mountain biking.
Boating
Non-motorized boating and floating are allowed on Lake Cleveland.
Winter Activities
Late-season snowdrifts often block access to the campground until early to mid-July.
Water Sports
Non-motorized boating and floating are allowed.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsLate season snowdrifts that can block access until early to mid-July. Steep, winding access road and tight turnarounds on the West loop make trailer and large-RV maneuvering hazardous.

Weather at Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side

36
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Clear sky
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 62%
Wind: 20.9 mph
Clear sky

Weather History
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Good to know

Peak season datesEarly July to Labor Day
Proximity to water featuresAdjacent to Lake Cleveland (campground located next to the lake); lake supports fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating.

Campground Map

Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side
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.
Accessible from Interstate 84 via exit 216 onto State Highway 77 south (~18 miles) then west on Howell Canyon Road (~7 miles); road is steep and winding.
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.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6
38 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Lake Cleveland Campground - West Side is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% 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 38 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...
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Based on 38 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...
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Based on 38 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...
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Based on 38 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...
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Based on 38 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...
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Based on 38 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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