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, or BLM, manages public lands that don’t fall under the National Park Service. Unlike national parks, BLM lands have fewer restrictions, allowing you to enjoy the land in greater ways than at parks. In Idaho, BLM manages over 12 million acres, which is nearly a quarter of the state’s land area. The Great Rift covers 635 square miles and is one of the most recent volcanic rift systems in the continental United States.
Between the north end where you’ll find Craters of the Moon National Monument and the south end of the rift is the Great Rift Backcountry Area. Here you’ll find a little more forgiving environment for recreation than the lava beds to the north and south. Come visit the backcountry to enjoy camping, hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The Great Rift Backcountry Area is about 200 miles southwest of both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton Nation Park. While there's Bureau of Land Management free camping in the area, there are no managed campgrounds. Rather, you can find dispersed campsites along some single-lane vehicular trails that weave through the region. The closest town is American Falls, and the nearest large city is Pocatello, located about 60 miles to the east.
This is a loop trail that starts at the end of Crystal Ice Cave Rd and heads south into the Craters of the Moon National Preserve. Be mindful of the uneven terrain from the lava bed, which requires some skill to navigate.
Length: 2.0 miles
Intensity: Moderate
At the southern end of the Great Rift is Lake Walcott State Park and the Lake Walcott trail. This is a light trail that takes you from E. Minidoka Rd to the shores of Lake Walcott, which is part of the Snake River.
Length: 6.40 miles
Intensity: Easy
Head a little further northwest to enjoy this trail that encircles the Sand Butte Volcano. You’ll find this beautiful area just southwest of the Ravens Eye Wilderness Study Area.
Length: 1.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
If you want to fish or boat, one of the best places in the area is at the American Falls Reservoir about 25 miles southeast of the Great Rift Backcountry Area. The reservoir extends northeast from the dam, which is a great place to launch your canoe, kayak, or even jet ski. When fishing, you’re likely to find anything from rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout to yellow perch and white fish. Due to the vibrant aquatic environment, it’s not uncommon to find fish weighing as much as five or six pounds.
Right in the backcountry area, you’ll find Lariat Cave, which you can access from a single-lane vehicle trail off Crystal Ice Cave Rd. This cave has a lava tube, and it's tall enough for average-size adults to stand upright. It’s also one of the better-preserved lava tubes in the area as it has minimal defacement. A little farther to the northwest, you’ll find Bear Trap Cave, located off Minidoka to Arco Rd. This is another extension of a lava tube that has been traced for more than 15 miles.
Despite hosting a difficult terrain, this area is still home to a variety of animals. You might see anything from mule deer and coyotes to bobcats and mountain lions. More commonly, you’ll see squirrels, marmots, lizards, snakes, hawks, and eagles.
The Craters of the Moon area is an incredible place for stargazing. In fact, the Craters of the Moon National Monument has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park. Bring your telescope and enjoy peering into parts of the universe that people closer to civilization rarely get to see.
If you want to stay at a managed campground, you’ll want to either head into American Falls, Burley, or north to Arlo. Consider the Willow Bay Resort in American Falls, which offers 83 sites with electric, water, and sewage hookups. South of here are the little towns of Heyburn and Burley, where you’ll find the Heyburn Riverside RV Park. It has 29 sites, complete with electrical, water, and sewage hookups. If you head north to Arco, consider the Mountain View RV Park, which features 44 RV sites with water, sewage, and water hookups.
There are plenty of places for BLM RV camping around the Great Rift Backcountry Area. There are no manicured Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the backcountry itself. However, you’ll find cultivated sites at the Fish Creek Reservoir at the north end of Craters of the Moon or the Pipeline Recreation Site just south of American Falls. When searching for “BLM camping near me,” you'll find countless options for dispersed camping throughout. Start by taking Crystal Ice Cave Rd. to the loop at the end, and you’ll find a nice pull-off area. You may also find some dispersed camping areas near the Bear Trap Cave.
There is a lot to consider when planning for your Bureau of Land Management camping adventure. While in the Great Rift Backcountry Area, you’ll be in a remote area, about an hour from the closest towns. Be sure to think safety first, and bring a quality first aid kit and fire extinguisher. Bring plenty of water as there are no water sources anywhere nearby. Pack both warm and cool weather clothes since the Idaho desert can experience temperature swings of 30 degrees from daytime highs to overnight lows. Also consider bringing a physical map of the area to ensure that you don’t get lost while enjoying the remote location. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
While you’re enjoying the freedom that comes with BLM RV camping, make sure you’re considerate of the environment and future campers. Take all of your trash with you, and refrain from dumping food or any liquids at your campsite. When you leave, strive to leave no trace that you've been there so that others may enjoy it as well.
If you’re coming from Pocatello, head west on I-86 until exit 40, which is ID 39. Take this north until Center Pleasant Valley Rd, and then turn left. You’ll stay on this for about 7 miles, where you’ll turn right onto Lava Beds Rd. This will end at N Pleasant Valley Rd where you’ll turn left, and then quickly turn right onto Winters Rd. You’ll continue on until you reach a fork, with Winters Rd continuing straight and Crystal Ice Cave Rd veering to the left. Follow Crystal Ice Cave Rd, travel about 6 miles along this dirt road, and you're in the vicinity of the Great Rift Backcountry Area.
Ready to visit Great Rift Backcountry Area? 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.
