Blowout Campground

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

Blowout Campground is home to the second-largest boating facility on the Palisades Reservoir in Idaho. This RV-friendly camping area is just north of Alpine, Wyoming, and gives you great access to the Bridger National Forest, which spans 3.4 million acres and offers excellent biking, nature viewing, hunting, and fishing. Keep traveling north from this site to find the Palisades Dam and the start of the South Fork of the Snake River. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) maintains and protects Blowout Campground. This federal agency manages almost 12 million acres of public land in Idaho for recreation, mining, and more. Grand Teton National Park is only 46 miles from Blowout Campground. If you keep heading north past Grand Teton, you'll reach Yellowstone National Park about two hours away.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Indian Creek Loop

Situated in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, this trail works its way over countless creeks and up the steep side of a mountain. Some sections can be hard to follow if they're obstructed by thick foliage or fallen trees. If you visit in the spring, you may see some melting snowfalls that create lovely waterfalls. Length: 19.7 miles Intensity: Hard

Jordan Canyon

Take your time walking this gravel path while enjoying the towering aspen trees and fields of wildflowers. This spot is popular with mountain bikers and off-roading enthusiasts. Pets are welcome on this trail. Length: 2.8 miles Intensity: Easy

Alpine North Loop

Challenge yourself to a steep and rocky climb with stunning views of the Palisades Reservoir. This route isn't recommended for children as the ground is very unstable in places. Visit when the ground is dry to avoid any slippery rocks. Length: 2.6 miles Intensity: Moderate

Fishing and Boating

The Palisades Reservoir is within walking distance of the campground, making it ideal for shore and boat anglers. You'll find wild and stocked cutthroat, lake, brown, and kokanee trout. Ice fishing for trout is another locally popular winter pastime. The trout bag limit is six, while some species, like sturgeons and bull trout, are catch-and-release only. Several developed areas around the reservoir include picnicking areas, boat launches, and campsites.

Climbing

Thousands of people visit Grand Teton yearly to climb the iconic peaks there. Approximately 65 miles north of Blowout Campground, the Grand Teton Range has a thrilling variety of mixed gullies and easy cruisers. The traditional Owen Spalding touts three pitches and a rating of 5.4. If the conditions are dry, you'll have no problem tackling it with a standard alpine rack. It's easy to go off-route after heavy snow or a hail storm. You should also check out the 5.12a Bean's Shining Wall of Storms and the 5.7 Lower Exum Ridge.

Wildlife Viewing

As you spend time around the Palisades Reservoir or other nearby water sources, watch for river otters, osprey, muskrats, pelicans, bald eagles, great blue herons, and beavers. The lush forests are full of moose, red squirrels, ground squirrels, long-tailed weasels, marmots, and mule deer. The larger, predatory mammals like black bears, mountain lions, and wolves are usually more elusive.

Picnicking

The Riverside Park Recreation Area at the Palisades Dam is less than 15 minutes away and has a large picnic area, vault toilets, garbage services, and electricity. It costs $5 daily to use the day-use area. Calamity Campground on the southern shore also has several picnic tables, handicap-accessible bathrooms, and a large boat launch.

ATVing

Take your ATV or off-roading vehicle on an exciting journey along the challenging 9.3-mile South Fork Indian Creek Trail. This out-and-back path requires a few river crossings but guarantees fantastic forest views. You should also check out the 17-mile Phillips Ridge Trail in the Jackson Ranger District of the Bridger National Forest. Feel free to stop when it ends on Fish Creek Road or push through to Phillips Canyon.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Blowout Campground is one of the region's many convenient Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. It has 30 beautiful campsites along the Palisades River that are spacious and perfect for RVs, trailers, and large boats. You'll find shaded spots on top of the hill and RV-friendly areas on the shoreline near the boat ramp. The developed Outfitter Camp Area to the north offers breathtaking views of the Palisades Reservoir. The campground boasts fire rings, vault toilets, and picnic tables there. More excellent RV camping opportunities can be found at Greys River Cove RV Park, which offers oversized, pull-through sizes, full hookups, and mountain vistas. This pet-friendly campground also has an on-site saloon and grill, and they're close to the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. A full-hookup RV site starts as low as $75 a night.

Free Camping

As you search for BLM camping near me, watch for Bureau of Land Management free camping options. Primitive camping is permitted at the Pine Creek and Green River access sites. Morgan's Bridge Campground and Cutthroat Trout Campground are developed, non-reservable, and open to free public use. Boondocking on US Highway 26 or US Highway 89 is also a convenient and effortless way to explore nearby BLM lands.

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Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Blowout Campground BLM trip

Idaho has a semi-arid climate with sweltering summers and freezing winters. You'll need campground reservations if you visit during the state's peak camping season between June and August. Campsites at higher elevations are the better option during the warm season to avoid the worst of the heat. Idaho has seven stunning national parks. Almost 40% of its total landmass is covered in national forests. The weather can be unpredictable, and it's recommended to bring sturdy rain gear and layers of extra clothes. You may encounter bears or mountain lions, so research how to store your food and protect your campsite safely. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Every BLM visitor is responsible for adhering to the Leave No Trace policy and minimizing their impact on the natural Idaho environment. Protect the land by respecting wildlife, properly disposing of garbage, and respectfully hiking. Strive to travel on hard surfaces like established trails, packed dirt, sand, or gravel. Be mindful of local campfire restrictions and only use small fallen branches or logs. Don't forget to be considerate of other campers by keeping your pets under control and adhering to standard right-of-way trail practices.

Blowout Campground Location

Starting in Alpine, drive about 12 miles north on US Highway 26. Look for the campground on your right just past Spring Run. If you pass Grandma Lane, you have gone too far. Address: Palisades Ranger District, Targhee National Forest, Idaho Falls, ID Ready to visit Blowout Campground? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night, where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.