Crater Peak

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

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for almost 12 million acres within Utah, and these multi-use spaces make up nearly one-quarter of all of the land within the entire state. The Crater Peak BLM site is 23 miles east of Clarkia, Idaho, and near the town of Coeur d'Alene. At this BLM site, there is camping available that you can use as a base of operations for offroading, hunting, and hiking. Before European settlers arrived, the Coeur d'Alene indigenous people lived in the aera for thousands of years. Enjoy nearby national parks like Great Basin National Park and Glacier National Park.

What to See and Do

Hiking and Biking

Lookout Mountain Trail

Hike this stretch of the Marble Creek trail system for a gradual ascent that leads you to an old lookout tower. Enjoy scenic views of Lost and Fish Lakes and Clearwater River's Little North Fork. You might run into elk or see them along the path of this in-and-out hike. Motorbikes are permissible here, but only advanced riders should try them. Length: 4.8 miles Intensity: Difficult

Grandmother and Grandfather Mountains Trail

Hike this in-and-out trail for wildlife and great views any month, but enjoy spring wildflowers or fall colors if you visit in those seasons. Most of the trail is above 5500 feet, with views of the St. Marie River Valley below. You can let your dog off-leash, and huckleberries abound late in the summer. Length: 7.9 miles Intensity: Intermediate/Difficult

Feather Creek Loops

This point-to-point trail is a pair of singletrack loops running through the deep forest. The lush vegetation and trees around you are the reasons to be here because you won't cross rivers or find any views. You and your off-leash dog can stroll through the majesty of the woods. Since this trail is on rangeland, you might run into bovine near the trailhead or in the eastern parts of the path. Length: 16.9 miles Intensity: Intermediate

Fishing and Boating

Spirit Lake in Coeur d'Alene can fill an afternoon for you and your travel party. Kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating are all options on the water. Visit the nearby marina to rent anything from paddle boards to jet skis or go fishing for perch, bass, and trout.

Climbing

Q'Emiln Park is west of Coeur d'Alene and has 173 climbs. The rock quality often surprises visitors, and most of it is classified as orthogneiss resulting from granite metamorphosis over the centuries. Most of the climbs are vertical faces featuring positive in-cut holds. Half the routes are sports climbs, and another quarter are toprope climbs. There are also 32 trad climbs and 29 bouldering options.

Wildlife Viewing

The wildlife you see around Crater Peak includes caribou, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, and grizzly bears. Rocky areas and prairies are more likely to feature lizards and snakes. Rivers also have abundant wildlife, ranging from trout, bass, and sturgeon in the waters to turtles, blue grouse, and partridges along the shores.

Picnicking

Get a picnic at the Lines Creek Trail Picnic Area. Four picnic sites have fire rings, and a vault toilet is available. Enjoy a 3-mile-long interpretive trail along a historic logging railroad path. This fee-free facility is open from May through September.

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping

Crater Peak has Bureau of Land Management campgrounds but only has three RV sites available, so it's good to have other RV camping options available. The Lost Moose Campground outside of Clarkia is down a gravel road where you can sit in the serenity of a brook or hear elk bugling in the distance. Hookups include water and electricity and you can also get firewood or a picnic table. Toilets and trash service are available as well.

Free Camping

Crater Peak offers exceptional Bureau of Land Management free camping with three RV and tent sites. There are no fees, but there are also no reservations. The site is usually open from July through September with a vault toilet, but no water or showers exist. The site is one of three backcountry campsites in the Widow Mountain Wilderness Study Area on Forest Road 301. Dispersed camping is also allowed if you follow the Leave No Trace and dispersed camping guidelines.

RV Rentals Near Crater Peak Plan your next adventure

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Crater Peak BLM trip

Stock up on food and water when you can, and plan to store three days more than you need in case of a breakdown or accident somewhere remote. Have everyone pack clothing for all seasons and dress in layers to be flexible in constantly changing weather. Have someone, not with you, aware of your route and timelines, bring a communication device and solar or manual charger, and pack emergency medical supplies, including snake bite kits. Crater Peak and other campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Plan to arrive early in the day if you want a spot. Always have multiple backup options available within the area in case you miss out. Always have plenty of fuel for your RV, and be sure it's ready for an occasional rough ride down gravel roads. Many parts of the Idaho backcountry can get very remote, so don't always count on having cellular or wireless reception. Many established campsites might lack coverage, so check the maps for any carriers people in your RV are using. Another option is to invest in a radio and check with local authorities for emergency channels or a satellite phone. Downloading maps in advance is a smart move. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

Leave No Trace

Whether you visit Idaho or take advantage of other "BLM camping near me" options, you must follow certain principles inherent to these acres, especially the Leave No Trace policy. The BLM maintains public lands for current use and enjoyment but must preserve them for future visitors and generations. Never alter a site for your camping, and stick to good ones already in place. Always inspect a campsite for spilled food or trash, and pack out all your refuse and leftovers. Never touch historical structures or cultural artifacts. Likewise, leave plants, rocks, and natural objects as you find them; the best memories to take with you are videos and photographs. Keep campfires small to help prevent forest fires, and put fires out totally with sand and water. Don't feed wildlife so you don't alter their natural patterns, and respect other human visitors in your vicinity.

Crater Peak Location

Start in Clarkia on State Highway 3, then head east on Forest Road 301. Your destination is straight ahead in 23 miles. Address: Coeur d' Alene Field Office, 3815 Schreiber Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID Ready to visit Crater Peak? 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.