Helende
Campground · Idaho · 10 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Boise National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 10
- Bookable sites
- 65 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 16
- People per site
- 10
- Accessible sites
- 4,187 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Helende Campground is located 10 miles east of Lowman, Idaho, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 4,100 feet. The South Fork Payette River lies a few hundred yards away. Visitors enjoy fishing and rafting on the river, soaking at nearby Kirkham Hot Springs and exploring the extensive Kirkham Ridge Trail.Recreation
The South Fork Payette River offers whitewater rafting, kayaking and trout fishing. The Deadwood and Danskin River Access areas are nearby.Popular Kirkham Hot Springs is less than 5 miles west of the campground along Highway 21. A trail with staircases leads down to the soaking pools on the riverside.
Kirkham Ridge Trail is one of the Lowman Ranger District's premier trails. It begins near Kirkham Campground and stretches through beautiful country for 35 miles, connecting with many other trails in the area. It is open to hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Sections of the trail are open seasonally to off-road vehicles.
Facilities
The campground contains single-family sites, all of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided.Natural Features
The campground is situated in a dense forest of lodgepole and Ponderosa pine, which offers plentiful shade in most sites. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape. Deer and elk may be seen wandering through the area on occasion.Nearby Attractions
Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway and Highway 21, the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. Both byways offer scenic views, wildlife watching, historical information kiosks and several trail opportunities.Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the South Fork and Main Payette Rivers. Several companies in the area offer guided half and full-day trips.
The facts
- Season: End of May – End of September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 10 bookable sites
- 10 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 65 ft
- Up to 16 people per site
- Loops: HELE
Site types
- 10 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
- Sewer hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
10 campsites at Helende
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 45 ft | 8 | ♿ |
| 002 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 8 | ♿ |
| 003 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 8 | ♿ |
| 004 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 60 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 005 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 25 ft | 8 | ♿ |
| 006 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 60 ft | 8 | ♿ |
| 007 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 8 | ♿ |
| 008 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 65 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 009 - Double Site | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Riverfront | 35 ft | 16 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 010 | HELE | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 8 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
From Boise, Idaho, take State Highway 55 to Banks. Turn east and travel on Forest Highway 24/Banks-Lowman Highway to Lowman. Turn left on Highway 21. Campground is located at milepost 82.
44.09278, -115.47583 · 44°5'34.0"N 115°28'33.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 6.5 | 5.1 | 5.5 | 4.0 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.9 | 5.1 | 7.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
There is a $5 fee for vehicles entering the campground for day use.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Helende
- Can you reserve a site at Helende?
- Yes, Helende is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Helende have?
- 10 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Helende?
- 65 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Helende?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Helende.
- Does Helende have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Helende?
- Campfires are allowed at Helende. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Camping near Helende
- Kirkham 3.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Park Creek (Idaho) 5.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Mountain View 6.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Warm Springs Guard Station 8.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bonneville 9.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Kirkham Day Use Area 3.6 mi · Activity pass
- Ten Mile Trailhead 4.7 mi · Facility
- Lowman Ranger District and Office 6.2 mi · Facility
- Warm Springs Trailhead (Airstrip) 9 mi · Facility
- Deadwood Campground 9.1 mi · Campground
- Deadwood River Access Site 9.1 mi · Facility
- Bonneville Campground 9.2 mi · Campground
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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