Summer was almost here and we wanted to go camping! We only had one night that we could be gone, so we looked for somewhere close to Boise - Warm Lake!
We also wanted to test our iKamper on our Mini Cooper. Yes, we did have the iKamper on another Mini if you remember it from an earlier blog, but not on this Mini. That meant transferring it from our Jeep to the Mini. We also wanted to see if we could fit our camping equipment in the Mini - to prove that you don't need a big rig to go camping! We just bought a Dometic CFX 55IM with an ice maker (Yay!) and we were eager to put it to the test! So, we loaded everything into the Mini and set off for Warm Lake Campground!
Warm Lake Campground, just over 26 miles from Cascade and at an elevation of approximately 5,300 feet, is shaded by magnificent old-growth Ponderosa Pines. Due to its popularity, it is recommended to reserve your campsite through Recreation.gov.
The campground is on the northern shore of Warm Lake, which offers opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing and swimming. For fishing, you can find cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. If you want to swim, there's a swim beach, Billy Rice Swim Beach, on the north side of the lake about a quarter mile from the campground at Warm Lake Lodge. If you are looking for a boat ramp, there is one at Shoreline Campground, which is nearby.
The fun in this area continues with hiking, mountain biking, off-road vehicle and horseback riding, and hunting (in season). For hiking and mountain biking, try the WeWuKiye Trail No. 252. If you want off-road adventures, there is Telephone Ridge Trail No. 112, with 20 miles of trails that you can access from within the campground or from nearby Shoreline Campground.
Looking for a restaurant or store where you can find those camping or fishing items you forgot? Warm Lake Lodge is right across the road from the campground.
Oh! A word of caution. There are bears in the area, along with elk, fox, deer, eagles, osprey, whooping cranes, grouse and otters!
The Mini Cooper worked great for camping! We had everything we needed, including our rooftop tent with a comfy mattress, down comforter and soft, down pillows! As nice as any hotel room!
The campsites provide fire rings, picnic tables and even a cooking table for your propane stove. Water is nearby and rest rooms are a short hike away.
Morning by the campfire....
Our buddy who helped show us the way to the campground....
How Do I Get There?
STARTING POINT: Boise (at I-84 and Eagle Road)
DISTANCE FROM STARTING POINT: One way from starting point is approximately 105 miles
TIME TO REACH: 2.5 hours
ROAD SURFACE: Paved
WHEN ACCESSIBLE: Spring, Summer, Fall - check Recreation.gov for camping availability
FEES: Check Recreation.gov for campsite prices; discounts for park pass holders
RECOMMENDED VEHICLES: Any
PET FRIENDLY: Yes
WHEN WE WENT: Week before start of Summer
I'm Here - Now What?
Hiking
Mountain biking
Off-road vehicle riding
Horseback riding
Boating, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding
Fishing
Swimming
Hunting (in season)
Picnicking
Relaxing!
Having fun!
Making memories!
I am fondly reminded thanks to you of my wonderful summer boy scout camp weeks at Camp Billy Rice at Warm Lake. The girl scouts were on the other side of the lake and canoe trips after lights out were reputed to be favorite pasttimes. Not me though, I was too busy making money, selling candy I brought up and stationery (A page, envelope and stamp for 50 cents, complete with my dad's business logo on top, and all the parents complaining to mine that they were getting letters from Lovan's Jewelry) I made a nice profit given the inventory was all stolen. I may call our public TV station and ask that they do a documentary on those da…