RV Parks In Wallace, Idaho

Wallace sits in the narrowest part of the Silver Valley canyon in northern Idaho with several RV parks and campgrounds serving travelers in this remarkably preserved historic mining town, including some free camping options. The entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Victorian-era buildings lining the main street create a time-capsule atmosphere that's unique among Idaho towns. Wallace was the center of one of the richest silver mining districts in world history, producing over a billion ounces of silver, and the mining heritage is visible in everything from the mine headframes on the hillsides to the Sierra Silver Mine tour that takes visitors underground. The town sits right along I-90 where the interstate was rerouted in the 1990s to bypass downtown, and the old route through town has been preserved as a walkable historic district. The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes passes through Wallace on its 72-mile route, and the Route of the Hiawatha mountain bike trail nearby offers one of the most popular rail-trail experiences in the Pacific Northwest with tunnels and trestles through the Bitterroot Mountains. The town's proclamation as the Center of the Universe -- marked by a manhole cover in the middle of downtown -- speaks to the quirky character and sense of humor that pervades this small community. The surrounding Bitterroot Mountains contain some of the most remote wilderness in the northern Rockies, and the contrast between the compact historic town and the vast wildlands just minutes away is part of what makes Wallace special.

Camping near Wallace is moderately priced for northern Idaho. Of the available options, a portion% are free while a portion% charge fees, with paid campgrounds running $30 to $50 per night. The Sierra Silver Mine tour costs about $15 to $18 per person, and the Route of the Hiawatha charges a trail fee of $12 to $14 per person plus $10 to $12 for the shuttle. Forest Service campgrounds in the surrounding national forest offer basic sites at $12 to $18 per night as a budget alternative.