Crouch GV Middle Fork Payette Camping

by Bridget Crawford

The towns of Crouch and Garden Valley sit about an hour north from Boise as a gateway to the Middle Fork of the Payette River and the Boise National Forest.

Key Takeaways

You can be at a campsite within 1-1.5 hours of leaving Boise
There are 5 managed campgrounds along the Middle Fork of the Payette above Crouch
Multiple recreation activities are available including Hot Springs
For a unique experience you can rent out Boiling Springs Cabin

Getting There

Depending on what area you are coming from, you will get to Crouch via Highway 55 to Banks-Lowman Road or via Highway 21 to Banks-Lowman Road.

We traveled from Boise up Highway 55 to Banks-Lowman Road, arriving in Crouch about an hour after our departure.

Heading north from Crouch you will follow Middlefork Road until it turns into FS 698, continuing to parallel the Middle Fork of the Payette.

We chose to stay at Boiling Springs Campground, at the very end of the road and it took just under 30 mins (about 22miles) to get there from town.

Heading out of town you will travel about 5 miles on a paved road, passing neighborhoods and homes along the river. After about 5 miles you will see a sign notating the start of the Boise National Forest and the road changes to gravel/dirt. The road is serviced and while it has some bumps and potholes, it does not require AWD or 4WD during summer and good weather.

You will have camping options, whether dispersed or a formal campsite with amenities, within a few minutes of entering the Boise National Forest.

Nearby Amenities & What to Do

The town of Crouch offers all that you may need for a get-away in the mountains. There are restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, golf courses, outdoor activities, and if you are like us and always wind up forgetting something, then you will be very grateful that they have a well-stocked supermarket.

garden valley, idaho market

If you are visiting the area during the summer months, you may want to check out the infamous Starlight Mountain Theater. Be sure to check out their website for available shows. If you want to camp but still be close to the action, they do have sites available at Starlight, but you will want to reserve in advance.

There are plenty of outdoor recreational activities; rafting, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, biking and off road vehicle trails.

Something that attracts many are the hot springs in the area, if you keep your eyes peeled, you will be able to spot a couple along the Middle Fork of the Payette on your way up FS 698.

The furthest hot spring along this road, and the one we chose to explore was Boiling Springs.

Camping Options

You will be able to find numerous free dispersed camping spots along the river once you get onto FS 698, there will be no amenities and most are exposed, but it is a good option for some.

There are five forest service managed campgrounds along the Middle Fork of the Payette River. These are paid sites, but offer campers amenities such as toilets, picnic tables, level campsites, fire rings, and drinking water. Be sure to check the forest service sites for updates on site closures, as they do shut down seasonally.

idaho camp site

Tie Creek is the first site that you will pass, then Hardscrabble. Further down the road you will find Rattlesnake and Trail Creek.

At the end of the road, you will see a sign for the final campsite, Boiling Springs. If you want to stay in this pocket for free, there is dispersed camping just over the bridge to the right of Boiling Springs Campground.

idaho campground sign

These sites are available on a first come-first serve basis and prices can range from $12/night to $18/night with a self-pay station at the campsite.

Boiling Springs/Boiling Springs Cabin

idaho hot spring

Boiling Springs is located at the end of FS 698. There is a gate blocking access, but there is a parking lot at the end of the road, or it is a short walk from Boiling Springs Campground. From the closed gate it is about a ten-minute walk to the springs. It is a public hot spring with a few larger pools along the hillside and some cooler, shallower pools directly in the river.

The pool sizes, temperature, and cleanliness vary. BEWARE of spider mites, we encountered them along the edges of the larger pools but were told by the campsite host that they are not as bad in early morning and evening.

log cabin

If you are looking for a private camping experience with quick access to the hot springs, you can rent out Boiling Springs Cabin. This cabin can be rented for $80/night and offers a unique experience for its guests. Note that the grounds are public, and the area may be busy on the weekends. For reservations and more information about this facility be sure to visit their site.

Cell Coverage for Verizon Carriers

You lose cell service on Highway 55 just North of Horseshoe Bend. On Banks-Lowman road, once you get closer to Crouch/Garden Valley, you will get service back. You will have service in town but will loose it as you get closer to the sign for the Boise National Forest on Middlefork Road/FS 698.