RV Rentals in Idaho — Underrated Mountains, Sun Valley, and Sawtooth Access
Typical rental rate: $135–$215/night
Idaho is among the least-crowded Western RV states, with dramatic mountain landscapes (Sawtooths, Salmon River Mountains, Selkirks) and large blocks of national forest dispersed camping. Rates run $135 to $215 per night before fees. Most renters launch from Boise.
What you’re picking between in Idaho
- Rental fleet small. Boise is the practical in-state hub; Coeur d’Alene has minimal inventory.
- Peer-to-peer dominant. Outdoorsy and RVshare have the working selection.
- Many travelers launch from Spokane WA or Salt Lake City UT for Idaho trips.
Where to rent by metro
- Boise — primary in-state hub. Major airport (BOI). Best base for Sun Valley, Sawtooths, McCall, and Boise National Forest.
- Coeur d’Alene — northern Idaho; specific to lake-country trips and Selkirk Mountains.
- Idaho Falls — eastern Idaho; specific to Yellowstone trips from the west side.
Trips Idaho rentals are good for
- Sawtooth National Recreation Area — 5–7 days from Boise. Spectacular alpine landscape, low crowds. Dispersed camping abundant.
- Sun Valley / Ketchum — short luxury trips with mountain access.
- McCall and Brundage — central Idaho mountain town; family-friendly.
- Salmon River corridor — whitewater rafting + camping. Class B or truck camper territory for backcountry access.
- Yellowstone west entrance — Idaho Falls is the closest major airport; meaningful for Yellowstone trips.
- Lake Coeur d’Alene — northern Idaho lake-country circuit.
Idaho-specific considerations
- Mountain weather extremes. Sawtooths can drop below freezing any month at altitude.
- Sustained grades — Galena Summit, Lolo Pass, Bogus Basin. Brake management matters.
- Wildfire risk in summer affects central and northern Idaho. Some forest service road closures.
- Bear country — black bear and some grizzly in the Panhandle. Food storage protocols apply.
- Public land dispersed camping is unusually accessible — most national forest land allows it with 14-day limits.
- Cell coverage sparse outside metros. Plan offline maps.
- Fuel availability decent on major highways but sparse on forest roads.
- Mountain road conditions — some forest service roads require high clearance or 4WD.
Class recommendations by Idaho trip
| Trip type | Recommended class |
|---|---|
| Sawtooth dispersed camping | Class B or truck camper |
| Sun Valley / Ketchum hookup camping | Any class |
| McCall family trip | Class C 26–30 ft |
| Salmon River corridor | Truck camper (4WD road access) |
| Yellowstone west-entrance approach | Class C under 32 ft |
Typical Idaho rental costs (7-day Class C from Boise)
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $165/night × 7 nights | $1,155 |
| Fees + insurance + cleaning | $400–$550 |
| Fuel (800 mi @ 7 mpg loaded mountain @ $3.55/gal) | $406 |
| Campground fees (state/federal $20–$30/night) | $150–$250 |
| All-in 7-day trip | $2,111–$2,361 |
What to verify before booking in Idaho
- Heat condition for cold mountain nights
- Brake condition for sustained mountain descents
- Tire condition for forest service roads
- Wildfire status for late-summer trips
- Bear safety equipment for backcountry
- Fuel range for remote sections