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?

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

Juliet B

Verified

June 2, 2025 Stayed at: 006, Loop: HELE

4

Great hosts, clean campground & restroom. Garbage service & Water provided. This is a great middle point for day hikes and other exploration around Lowman area.

Kyle W

Verified

August 21, 2024 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HELE

5

Campground was small, quiet and well maintained. Host was very knowledgeable, friendly.

Kristen B

Verified

June 25, 2024 Stayed at: 001, Loop: HELE

1

I’m so sad. Half of the trees have been cut down or are marked to be cut down. It seems like they’re building another campground right behind this one and it just won’t fit. Very little privacy. Bathrooms were awful on the first day.

Someone created a small fire pit out of rocks next to the fire pit and the campsite was a mess. Branches and pine needles everywhere. We spent thirty minutes raking it away from the fire and clearing a spot for the tent. All in all Helende isn’t what it used to be. So bummed.

Dave M

Verified

September 12, 2023 Stayed at: 008, Loop: HELE

4

Nice peaceful setting, very large sites, beautiful stretch of river nearby, campground host was helpful. We enjoyed our stay very much. Only negative was no potable water because contamination had been detected in the well, and the pump was deactivated until the well tests clear again. It made the water situation a bit inconvenient, and this information could have been posted on the site or emailed to people making bookings.

Trinity N

Verified

August 28, 2023 Stayed at: 009 - Double Site, Loop: HELE

3

The camp host was really rude and nosey. The campground was awesome tho

Heather S

Verified

July 22, 2023 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HELE

5

It gets cold at night even in July at this elevation. Remember to look for Kirkham hot springs and don't go where the big white and black sign says hot Springs pool with an arrow pointing uphill. That's private land. The campground host was friendly and helpful.

Heather O

Verified

August 14, 2022 Stayed at: 007, Loop: HELE

5

This was a great campsite. Very quiet and just a short walk to the river. Would love to go back.

Jeralyn M

Verified

July 22, 2022 Stayed at: 001, Loop: HELE

5

What an absolutely beautiful, idyllic spot to go camping. We loved being in such a secluded campground. We were at 001, and we thought that that spot, or 003 were the best of them all. It was close to the river, had some nice tree cover, and the campsite and bathroom were clean and well maintained. We went during a brutal heat wave, so that was miserable because we went with young children and there was little relief from the sun. At the hottest times of the day I did wish there was more shade. But we loved the chipmunk visitors, the proximity to the river, the peace and quiet, and the view!! It was so gorgeous to look out around us into the forest. I’m truly glad we went to Helende.
Oh I almost forgot - the campsite is absolutely filthy … with dirt. Our feet were brown all day and night, and anything that went near the ground was covered with powder-fine dirt. So get ready to be dirty! But it’s easy to clean when you get home.

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!

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.

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

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Managed by USDA Forest Service