Shafer Butte
Boise National Forest — riverside, hiking
Location: MOUNTAIN HOME, ID, ID
Price: From $20 per night
Price range: $20–$75 per night
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 (14 reviews)
Season: May through October
Shafer Butte is located atop the scenic Boise Ridge Mountains, near Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Visitors enjoy hiking and biking on various trails in the surrounding area, and simply relaxing and taking in the area’s beautiful views.Shafer Butte contains single-family tent campsites and two day-use, group picnic areas, all of which are accessible. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings, and many of the overnight campsites have tent pads.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Electric Hookups
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/shafer-butte to be notified when sites open up.
Shafer Butte sits at 7,000 feet atop the scenic Boise Ridge Mountains near Bogus Basin with popular hiking and mountain biking trails including the family-friendly 2-mile Mores Mountain Trail interpretive nature walk. Google reviewers consistently praise the first-come, first-served spots with great views and the welcoming atmosphere.
Wildlife alert: Snowshoe Hares, Columbian Ground Squirrels, Pileated Woodpeckers, MacGillivray's Warblers, Turkey Vultures, and Western Yellow-bellied Racers present in the area.
Insider tips for Shafer Butte: Book early — this is a popular federal campground that fills quickly. Directions: From Bogus Basin Road, stay straight on the dirt road for 2.7 miles, then turn right on another dirt road to reach campground (not the sharp right to ski lodge). Arrive early for first-come, first-served FCFS spots with the best views.
Skip Shafer Butte if: You need hookups — most sites have no hookups available.. You're visiting outside May-October — seasonal operations only.. You prefer reserved sites — this is first-come, first-served only..
Best time to visit Shafer Butte: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only..
Nearby campgrounds: Grayback (IDAHO CITY, ID), Robie Creek Park Group Shelter (Boise, ID), Macks Creek Campground (Boise, ID), Ten Mile Campground (Idaho City, ID).
Cell Phone Coverage at Shafer Butte
Cell signal at Shafer Butte (MOUNTAIN HOME, ID): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Shafer Butte is located atop the scenic Boise Ridge Mountains, near Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, at an elevation of 7,000 feet. Visitors enjoy hiking and biking on various trails in the surrounding area, and simply relaxing and taking in the area’s beautiful views.Shafer Butte contains single-family tent campsites and two day-use, group picnic areas, all of which are accessible. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings, and many of the overnight campsites have tent pads.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground that fills quickly.
Directions: From Bogus Basin Road, stay straight on the dirt road for 2.7 miles, then turn right on another dirt road to reach campground (not the sharp right to ski lodge).
Arrive early for first-come, first-served FCFS spots with the best views.
Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Boise, Idaho, travel along Bogus Basin Road for approximately 20 miles. The last three miles are on a gravel road. Turn right (east) on the signed gravel road and travel just over a mile to the campground and picnic area.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Boise National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Boise National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Shafer Butte cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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