Challis Hot Springs & Campground

We pulled into Challis Hot Springs RV park on a sunny afternoon in early June and were greeted by a cheerful host who told us we had site #1 in a shady grove near the river. If that wasn't idyllic enough we soon plunged into the 90-ft bathtup-warm hot springs for a relaxing soak prior to cocktails and cookout, gazing at the white-capped mountains we passed earlier. If this place doesn't smooth all the rough edges nothing will. A beautiful setting run by delightful folks who won't take a deposit, First class RV camping at very reasonable rates. And the wifi works!

The drive is spectacular. The destination is wonderful. Don't miss it.

My second year to enjoy the clear warm waters of the hots springs fed pool and expansive grounds of Challis Hot Springs RV Resort. Space 23 is right on the Salmon River and a more private location. The nightly draining and refilling of the pool by USMC Master Gunnery Sergeant Mike, ret., caretaker of the grounds is a special experience as the springs refills the pool from under the gravel bottom. Water and electricity at each RV sure and spacious tent sites as well. Complimentary dump station at the entrance, playground for the kids and a relaxed atmosphere with beautiful views of the Salmon River Mountains.

We are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 27 for 2 days in early August. The campground is well maintained and quiet and there is a walking trail on the property. AT&T coverage was good, with 3 bars of LTE and speeds up to 15 MB/s. Although the CG has WiFi, we were never able to connect to it. We were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site. There were no OTA channels to be had with our fixed omni antenna.

This place is great. The hot springs pools are great to relax in. One that’s hot hot and another larger one that’s good for family as the temp is not as hot. The people here running the place are friendly and helpful. There are play grounds, volleyball nets and things to do in the campground. Burn pits and picnic tables in great shape. There is fishing, 4 wheeling, site seeing and tons to do around here.

We called on Thursday and they miraculously had space for Sunday and Monday. We were looking for a place where we could get a good shower after days of heat and lots of bug spray; we found a kind of paradise. Once we got here we were so happy that we asked for another night in the same space and they had another night available! How lucky is that?

Access is from a well-marked turn off the highway, 4miles down to the end of a country road. The gates take you through to beautiful flower beds and rustic old farm plows on display in front of the bed and breakfast. The desk person was welcoming, kind, and informative; she explained the setup for showers, the warm swimming pool, and the hot pool.

Since we are having the luckiest, most amazing road trip ever we lucked out on THE MOST BEAUTIFUL site we could wish for (site 23, their “most requested site”). The level site is shaded by cottonwoods and sits above the gorgeous Salmon River. All of the rv sites on the left and the far end along the river would be great choices with several long enough for the biggest rigs. The middle of the loop is a well maintained grassy meadow with trees for shade near some of the spots. They have some long sites for big rigs that are set up as 2 sites. If you are there first or leave last it would work as a pull through site, otherwise you’ll have to back up one way or the other. (See the map on their website)

Leashed pets are allowed which was a good thing for us traveling with our cattle dog. Polite dog people and great maintenance meant we didn’t encounter leftover poop on our walks. As far as we could tell no one left their dogs unattended either - no barking dogs, just friendly pooches.

The tent sites are located in the mown, grassy areas back a little from the sites with hookups. Several people used tents or other setups in the rv sites so they had water and power. Lots of space.

The views are spectacular. The little store has basic goodies and some T-shirts. You can get ice and wood there. Free wi-fi available. The hosts are friendly and do a fine job maintaining those surprise, fabulous flower beds (lambs ear, daisies, hollyhocks, lavender, mullein, sunflowers). The showers are basic and included in the park fee, as are the hot pool and swimming pool.

The pool! It is clean and warm (around body temp). They drain it each night so the water is fresh and inviting. They have dressing rooms and a separate shower/bathroom space as well as a covered, gravel sitting area. When we were there it was quiet with no more than half a dozen people at a time - not a splashy, loud, crowded place because it’s summer and the Salmon River is right there; plus, many people went out (respectfully, slowly, quietly) on dirt bikes or ATVs for most of the day.

The RV campgrounds in the town of Challis were right along the highway and I would only stay there if I had no other choice (but this is central Idaho and i have a million choices . . .).
This is not a corporate, squeeze-them-in-there place. It is family run, spacious and well cared for. Challis Hot Springs is just far enough out of town to feel a little wild but close enough to go get supplies and the best sweet potato fries and local burger ever (Y Inn - but that’s a different review).

Stayed here on a Friday night in September 2015. I however had no idea how busy this place would be!!! Lots and lots of families with small children running amuck (hey they have swimming). Had plans to utilize the hot springs pools but with the number of families heading to them in the evening we knew there was no way it would be a peaceful calming experience so skipped that. Did however take a walk down to the river which was BEAUTIFUL. The scenery is astounding and the staff was very nice!

Site 2 sucked. Hard to back into and the parking arrangements (for ones with hookups) is odd at best and they are jammed together very tightly. The tent sites are actually the best ones and none of the RV sites are truly pull through sites (if you look at the map you'll see that the pull through areas have 2 sites in each except for #9). Site 2 really wasn't long enough for my truck and trailer (19' trailer) and thank goodness they didn't try to put anyone in 3!

All that said I would definitely come back here during the week well into the off season and enjoy the hot springs (which is really the only reason to spend the $$ for this campground) but never on a weekend! Not a lot of places to walk dogs so would ding them a bit on that. Getting to the park is easy if you follow the signs as it is off the beaten path.