A Lesser-Known Top-Rated RV Resort Offers A Spacious Oasis Near The Mountains Of Idaho

Mention Idaho and three things immediately come to mind: potatoes, Napoleon Dynamite, and the Blue Turf at Boise State University. But you may never have heard of  the Mountain Home RV Park — a spacious oasis in the high deserts of Southern Idaho. Just off I-84, the Gem State's hidden gem is a perfect place to camp while exploring Idaho's scenic beauty. Moreover, the city of Mountain Home has gas stations, a Walmart, and restaurants nearby in case you need fuel or groceries, or don't feel like cooking during your stay. The park has over 500 glowing five-star reviews on RV Life, and a 4.7-star rating on Google.

Despite being lesser-known, the Mountain Home RV Park is as good as it gets and rivals some of America's most popular RV parks. It is open year-round and has 213 concrete pads with water, electricity, and full hookups. Large leafy trees and street lights add beauty and utility to each parking site, making your setup and teardown much more comfortable and easy. The park's roads and walking areas are paved and wide, which is convenient for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

What sets this RV park apart from the rest is the sheer number of recreational amenities and services, including a pickleball court, basketball court, swimming pool and spa, playground, leash-free pet area, fitness center, and free Wi-Fi and cable, all of which can help you maximize your budget on an RV trip. And, if your legs are too tired from exploring, you can even rent a golf cart! Reservation requests can be made seven months in advance online.

Mountain Home RV Park is a great base for exploring beautiful Southern Idaho and the Snake River Canyon, which runs along the border with Oregon. Upon arrival at the RV park, guests are provided an arrival guide with campsite rules and a list of suggested day trip itineraries to experience some of the state's best scenery. Campers are less than half an hour away from incredible bass and crappie fishing on the Snake River at the C.J. Strike Wildlife Management Area and other outdoor adventures at Bruneau Dunes State Park. Further down ID-78 lies Bruneau Canyon, the 60-mile-long "Grand Canyon of Southwest Idaho."

The nearby Snake River Canyon is also home to the greatest concentration of nesting birds of prey in North America. If seeing hawks, eagles, and falcons in the wild is on your radar, check out the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area located an hour and a half away from the RV Park. If flightless birds are more your style, Idaho's Mammoth Cave is home to several free-roaming peacocks and emus, and open seasonally between May and October. Don't forget your camera and binoculars!

History buffs will love visiting the Three Island Crossing State Park's history museum and exploring Silver City, an Idaho ghost town. And, if you want to take a real trip back in time, check out the nearby Hagerman Valley Historical Museum which has prehistoric fossils from the area. Before heading back to the RV resort, roam through Mountain Home's charming downtown. There are a handful of bars, craft breweries, and local restaurants serving up Mexican, Asian, Italian, and classic American fare.

Idaho is one of the most underrated states in the country. It beckons for adventure, offering incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation in its growing tourism industry. Forests cover 40% of the state, while much of the rest is mountainous and high desert. Each climate is home to different wildlife including, elk, deer, lynx, bears, rabbits, and pronghorns.

The state's ecosystems and biodiversity change rapidly as you head in any direction off of I-84. Head southwest, and find yourself in the Owyhee Desert, the most remote region of the lower 48. Southwest Idaho is home to world-class trout fishing, mountain biking, and class IV rapids on the Owyhee River. Head north and the landscape transforms from high desert to rugged mountains, lost rivers, deep forests, and pure mountain lakes. Central Idaho is home to the Frank Church Wilderness area, the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, world-class ski and golf resorts such as Sun Valley and Tamarack, and several hot spring resorts. Regardless of where you explore, stay safe and follow these hiking safety tips.

For those missing the city, both Boise and Twin Falls are less than an hour and a half from Mountain Home. Boise has been ranked as a top city in the U.S. to live in and has hundreds of miles of trails, dozens of parks, and growing food, beer, and wine scenes. Twin Falls, a small city of around 50,000, has a diverse range of international food options and several craft breweries downtown. With a great mix of outdoor recreation and urban comforts nearby, the Mountain Home RV Park makes a great jumping-off place to explore the rest of the state no matter what your tastes, especially if you are embarking on America's most scenic road trip.