Helende

HELENDE
HELENDE
HELENDE
HELENDE
HELENDE

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

9 total sites

RV Sites

9 sites

About Helende

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.

Number of accommodations: 9

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Sep 8 to Sep 30

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
River Access River Access
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • Fire Pit
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Missing information? Let us know

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

9 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 002, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 006, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 007, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 008, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 009 - Double Site, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 010, Loop: HELE RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (48)

What Guests Are Saying

Helende campsite is praised for its cleanliness, friendly and helpful camp hosts, and quiet atmosphere, making it a great choice for families and groups. The proximity to the river and availability of firewood are additional highlights. However, some visitors noted the presence of loose dirt, limited shade, and aggressive chipmunks as minor drawbacks, along with occasional issues with restroom maintenance. Overall, it provides a pleasant outdoor experience.

Review Summary

4.3
48 reviews
5
64.6%
31
4
14.6%
7
3
12.5%
6
2
4.2%
2
1
4.2%
2

Robert G

Verified

July 7, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: HELE

5

Great trip

scott r

Verified

July 9, 2021 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HELE

5

Beautiful stand of Ponderosa Pine and close to river access. Very clean park.

Courtney H

Verified

July 13, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: HELE

4

Great little campground! Short drive to the river with very few people, great fishing!

Collin B

Verified

July 17, 2021 Stayed at: 005, Loop: HELE

5

Had a great time and enjoyed the open space.

Kim H

Verified

August 18, 2021 Stayed at: 002, Loop: HELE

3

This is a nice, clean, quiet campground. Not great river access, but nice anyway. We were surprised that they allowed campfires. We thought there was a burn ban but there was one group having a fire.

Anthony Q

Verified

May 30, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: HELE

5

Camp host was excellent. Campsite was cleanable and the bathrooms were the best we have ever used.

Susan S

Verified

June 23, 2022 Stayed at: 003, Loop: HELE

4

First time at Helende. Sites are nicely spaced and very clean. Camp was full both nights we were there, but it was very quiet and everyone was well behaved. The South Fork of the Payette is just a short walk from the camp. Camp host clearly keeps things clean and tidy, he also has a great personality. Only complaint was the water pump. It was hard to use and appeared to need some maintenance. Fix the water pump and Helende is just about the perfect campground for a few days of rest and relaxation.

Kris G

Verified

June 27, 2022 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HELE

5

Greatly enjoyed this campground. The host had perfect balance running the place. The generators turned on and off at reasonable hours. No prolonged barking dogs. A few short trails right out of the campground. Clean bathrooms and well run.

Andy B

Verified

July 3, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: HELE

5

This was our first stay. We really liked it and will return. Very quiet. Nice walks to the river.

Michael O

Verified

July 4, 2022 Stayed at: 003, Loop: HELE

5

Dave the camp host was great! We had a wonderful time. We rented the whole campground for a family reunion and enjoyed our time together immensely!

Location Helende

Address:
7359 Hwy 21
Lowman, ID, 83637
United States

Elevation: 1277 feet

Distance to downtown

9.5 mi drive to downtown Lowman (about 15 min)

Policies & Rules

General

  • Idaho OHV Safety Message
  • Maximum two vehicles per site; additional vehicles must use parking lot and pay a fee
  • Day use fee for non-campers is $5
  • Additional sites may be available on a first-come, first-served basis
  • Please contact the Lowman Ranger District at 208-259-3361 for off-season camping information
  • Click here for more information on the Boise National Forest
  • Don't Move Firewood: Help prevent the spread of tree-killing pests in our national forests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 6, 2026

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by USDA Forest Service