The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Redpoint Campground near Preston, Idaho is best known for its awe-inspiring beauty and its scenic views of the Bear River. Consider staying here if you’re interested in kayaking, canoeing, or fishing in the river or photographing any of the wildlife inhabiting its shores. Other popular activities in the area include hiking, bird-watching, off-roading, and rock climbing. This campground falls under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is a U.S. government agency under the Department of the Interior’s umbrella. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds like this one are sought after by the RVing crowd because they offer free and low-cost places for overnight parking near appealing attractions, including many state and national parks. From Idaho’s Redpoint Campground, it’s about a 58-mile drive to Utah's Bear Lake State Park and about a 162-mile drive to Grand Teton National Park.
Pick up this wide, pet-friendly hiking trail at the Cusick Creek trailhead. The trail is particularly scenic in fall due to a glorious display of brilliantly colored foliage. Length: 4.6 miles Intensity: Moderate
Hiking and trail running are the top uses for this well-maintained city trail, but mountain bikers and horseback riders use it, too. Allocate about an hour and a half to complete a leisurely hike here. Length: 2.9 miles Intensity: moderate
Traverse a dirt road leading to a scenic overlook area offering views of the Portneuf Gap and the South Valley. Length: 7 miles Intensity: Challenging
Hikers and birding enthusiasts enjoy exploring this out-and-back trail year around. It’s permissible to bring your leashed dog. Length: 3.4 miles Intensity: Challenging
Kayaks, canoes, and other small non-motorized watercraft are permitted in the Bear River near the Redpoint Campground. If you’re intent on fishing in this area, bring an assortment of bait. You might be able to catch local Walleye with plastic swimbait, spinnerbait, live bait, or spoons. If you prefer brown or rainbow trout, try tempting them onto your hook with casting spoons or suspended crankbait.
Head to Ross Park in Pocatello, Idaho to find the Sunnyside Climbing Area. It features several short bolted climbs ranging from 5.7 to 5.12 in difficulty. Named routes here include Ivy League Wall, Main Wall, and Middle Wall.
Keep your eyes open around the shores of Bear Lake for the possibility to view diverse bird species including majestic trumpeter swans, white-faced ibis, and short-eared owls. Hardcore birding enthusiasts might find it worthwhile to make a 70-mile drive to the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, where you can view 250 wild bird species, including black-necked stilts.
The campsites at Redpoint Campground are furnished with picnic tables and fire rings. Preston Community Park is another popular local picnic spot offering a picnic shelter and fire pit.
The Redpoint Campground offers BLM RV camping at 10 affordable developed campsites. These sites are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Expect to pay fees of at least $5 per night for BLM camping near me in the Redpoint Campground. If you're traveling with kids, they'll love the on-site play area and horseshoe pits.
Although you will not have the option for Bureau of Land Management free camping at Redpoint Campground, there are numerous other options for free overnight camping around Idaho. The US Forest Service offers free RV camping at the pet-friendly Marijuana Flat Campground near Preston, Idaho. Free dispersed BLM camping is also available about 75 miles away at the Blackrock Canyon Recreation Site.
If you’re planning an outing on the Bear River, each person in your party will require their own personal flotation device. Be sure to comply with Idaho’s laws regarding fit and condition for suitable life jackets. Also, educate yourself about all state and federal legal requirements governing the circumstances in which life jackets must be worn. There are no on-site convenience stores at the Redpoint Campground, so it’s advisable to plan meals before you arrive. Bring matches plus a sufficient supply of charcoal, fire logs, or firewood to ensure success with cooking all the picnic meals you plan to make during your stay; alternatively, you could bring sandwich-making supplies and snacks that don’t need to be heated. Also, bring a sufficient supply of garbage bags with you to ensure you and your group will be able to remove all your trash. If you need to make a pit stop at a dump station, head to the Preston Public RV Dump Station to find a facility offering both potable and non-potable water. Be prepared to pay a $5 dump station user fee. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
Dumpsters and waste removal are not among the provided amenities at Redpoint Campground. Vault toilets are provided at this location, but Idaho’s free dispersed campsites do not all have restroom facilities. If you're staying in a site without toilets, plan to stop at an Idaho dump station or come prepared with a shovel for burying human waste.
If you’re starting your Bureau of Land Management camping adventure in Preston, Idaho, locate the nearest on-ramp to Highway ID-34 and get on it heading north. Next, you’ll make a right-hand turn onto ID-36 and drive for about 3 miles. From there, make a left-hand turn onto Oneida Narrows Road and go north. You’ll know you’re in the right place if you observe the Bear River in view alongside the road you’re driving on. Latitude/Longitude: 42.23405892, -111.75884598 Ready to visit Redpoint 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.
