HELENDE
HELENDE
HELENDE
HELENDE
HELENDE

Featured amenities

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

About Helende

Helende Campground is located 10 mi east of Lowman, Idaho, along Highway 21 at an elevation of 4.1 ft. 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.

Available sites

9 total sites

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 closed

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
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 002, Loop: HELE RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 003, Loop: HELE RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 005, Loop: HELE RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 006, Loop: HELE RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 007, Loop: HELE RV
Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 008, Loop: HELE RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 009 - Double Site, Loop: HELE RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 010, Loop: HELE RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

50 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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.

Based on guest feedback

4.3

Overall rating

Based on 50 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 66.0% (33)
4 stars 14.0% (7)
3 stars 12.0% (6)
2 stars 4.0% (2)
1 star 4.0% (2)

Showing 50 reviews

Natalya O

Verified

June 24, 2025 Stayed at: 010, Loop: HELE

Great camping spot. Bathrooms were very clean. Will be back

Helpful

Jeff M

Verified

June 22, 2025 Stayed at: 006, Loop: HELE

Do you think it is possible to smooth out the road into Helende? It is so bumpy. The camp hosts were friendly and helpful and kept the bathrooms clean.

Helpful

Juliet B

Verified

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

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

Helpful

Kyle W

Verified

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

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

Helpful

Kristen B

Verified

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

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.

Helpful

Dave M

Verified

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

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.

Helpful

Trinity N

Verified

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

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

Helpful

Heather S

Verified

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

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.

Helpful

Heather O

Verified

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

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

Helpful

Jeralyn M

Verified

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

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.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Helende

7359 Hwy 21, Lowman, ID 83637 United States

Elevation: 1,277 ft

Nearest town

Lowman, ID - 9.5 mi

About 15 min to downtown

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: October 24, 2026

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Explore Lowman, ID

Population: 46

Nearby city: Meridian, ID

Approx. 57 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 3,773 ft

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service