Mary's Place is walking distance to everything that Lava has to offer but conveniently tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. The campground is surrounded by the Portneuf River. RV sites are about 30 feet above the river and the Riverside tent area is on the river. The mountain, trees and the distance provided by the river provide a barrier from the road and train noise that other campgrounds cannot provide.
We hope that you will experience Lava's "Best Kept Secret" for your next visit. Mary's Place Campground in owned and operated by the Bannock County Deputy Sheriff's Association Inc. We are a non-profit organization, so all the revenue generated by the campground is re-invested into the campground. Since 2010, the campground had undergone large scale renovations such as: all new power, sewer lines, water lines, and irrigation lines.
We hope that you will experience Lava's "Best Kept Secret" for your next visit. Mary's Place Campground in owned and operated by the Bannock County Deputy Sheriff's Association Inc. We are a non-profit organization, so all the revenue generated by the campground is re-invested into the campground. Since 2010, the campground had undergone large scale renovations such as: all new power, sewer lines, water lines, and irrigation lines.
Services
History
Report
Mary O'Neill is her maiden name, but to the people who know her well she's known as "Memsie". She was born in the small southwestern town of Wyoming called Sage just outside of Kemmerer, Wyoming. Mary met her life partner and husband - Glenn Perkins while he was working in Kemmerer for the railroad.
Campground Map
Report
The campground has purchased a few portable above ground fire pits at the suggestion of campers. There is a limited quantity so reservation is recommended. They are $10/stay. We can turn any area in the campground into a "Group area". However, we recommend Sites 18-21, 25-28, 29-32. Sites in the "Center Section" 56-74 offer sites side to side and front and back, recommended for groups of 4 or more sites.
Rates & Rules
Report
These sites can accommodate up to two RVs, second RV would include two people and one vehicle, would have a "bundled" price of $40/$45 or $50/$55 depending on site accommodations (water & electric) or (water, electric, and sewer). Supersites 25-28 can accommodate 2 total tents, all other sites are only allowed one additional tent.
Map & Directions
Report
The other is where the Hot Pools and the beginning to the river tubing. You will pass the second entrance, on your right hand side you will see our big white sign behind the Thai Food Restaurant. Turn into the KOA Kampground entrance (we share and entrance with them). NOT to be mistaken for the KOA sign in town by the Olympic Pool.
FAQs
Report
Please see below for some of our commonly asked questions. If you do not see an answer to the question you may have, please feel free to email or call us and we will be happy to assist you. Q. Do you have bathrooms? A. Yes, we have restrooms and showers with flushing toilets, there are also portable toilets throughout the campground.
Reviews (23)
McKenzie W.
Jan 28, 2022
Report
Super cute place to stay if you like being treated like garbage by the camp host. Both years we went the camp host was so rude it was ridiculous. He is a very rude old man who will treat you and even kids like they are below him. A cute family was camping next to us (with children ranging between 3-7 years old) while we were staying and he came and yelled at the kids like they were his own for running around the campground during the day!!! I will never be staying here or recommending to ANYONE just because of the host and multiple bad experiences with them.
Chance Johnston
Jan 13, 2022
Report
Was going to reserve a spot at Mary’s place this summer if they had a new host but I emailed in first and was informed the same camp host will be back. Can’t believe the owners haven’t done something about the host. I booked at the KOA instead because there is no way I will go back as long as they have the same camp host. What a joke! I guess they just bank in people getting desperate when there are no other options.
RV parks it’s self is great, but the same can’t be said about the camp host. This is the 3rd or 4th time staying there and the host this year was terrible. I went on a walk
RV parks it’s self is great, but the same can’t be said about the camp host. This is the 3rd or 4th time staying there and the host this year was terrible. I went on a walk
Zane
Oct 21, 2021
Report
The fact that the owners don’t look at these reviews is amazing. My family and I rent out the row of Super Sites in the back every year (I guess I should say, USED TO). We all are very clean, not loud and take care of anything and everything. The new camp host that came into play thinks coming and bugging us every couple hours on LITERALLY NOTHING gets old, very quickly. This was a big family trip that we have been doing for years and was the most looked forward to one of the year, every year. This summer we went to a different location. Honestly it didn’t come close to Mary’s Place. Decided
Karen Garcia
Oct 03, 2021
Report
We had a horrible experience with the camp host. We got grumped at for everything. We would reply kindly, but we could do no right.
Check out was at 11:00. We were out by noon. It was a ghost town. If anyone was coming in every spot was open. We got charged an extra fee. Ready?
We won’t return to Mary’s Place. It really soured our otherwise enjoyable trip.
Check out was at 11:00. We were out by noon. It was a ghost town. If anyone was coming in every spot was open. We got charged an extra fee. Ready?
We won’t return to Mary’s Place. It really soured our otherwise enjoyable trip.
Cody N.
Sep 12, 2021
Report
Under no circumstances would I ever stay at this campsite again. They are straight up dishonest and horrible to do business with.
We stayed here with a large group renting multiple sites. One family member rented what they refer to as a super site, and was told personally by the individual taking the reservation that the super sites allow for 2 trailers to accommodate larger groups. This was specifically why they rented this space.
After checking in, the camp host informed them that 2 trailers was not allowed and they would have to pay additional money because of the second trailer. When they
We stayed here with a large group renting multiple sites. One family member rented what they refer to as a super site, and was told personally by the individual taking the reservation that the super sites allow for 2 trailers to accommodate larger groups. This was specifically why they rented this space.
After checking in, the camp host informed them that 2 trailers was not allowed and they would have to pay additional money because of the second trailer. When they
Lt
Sep 03, 2021
Report
We stayed August 4th & 5th. We found the campground to be very nice and well kept. The sites are a little too close together. Camp trailers are getting longer and slideouts are getting bigger. There was barely room for our slideout but our neighbor was awesome and didn't mind that we were so close.
We had no reservations and just drove in to check availability. The camp host was friendly, helpful and very accommodating.
The bathrooms/showers were a bit old and run down but it's a campground what do you expect, I was just glad they had one.
They were much better priced than anywhere else in town
We had no reservations and just drove in to check availability. The camp host was friendly, helpful and very accommodating.
The bathrooms/showers were a bit old and run down but it's a campground what do you expect, I was just glad they had one.
They were much better priced than anywhere else in town
Jennifer Jessop
Aug 31, 2021
Report
Our family has camped here for years. Never have we experienced such poor service as our trip in early Aug. The camp host was very short with all the families in our group (we had 8 spots in our group). He was on everyone for new rules they have never had in place in past years (no mat on the grass, no ropes to the trees to hang wet clothes/swimsuits, no hammocks). The last night of our stay the folks in the camp next to us began having domestic disputes with yelling and physical fighting which lasted from 11 p.m.-3 a.m. The camp host was nowhere to be found and his own space was within the range
Parker M.
Jul 14, 2021
Report
Between the trains traveling all through the night and the very rude camp host, we will find another camping spot. The Camp host was very rude and disrespectful to some guests that came to visit us while we were staying. Made a nice camping getaway into a stressful shouting match with the camp host. Pass this one up, there are better camping spots in Lava Hot Springs.
Jason Pearce
Jul 13, 2021
Report
Camp host is a not friendly. We had no issues with him but I watched him attack others for every little thing. Never have I seen such unprofessional conduct. Even kicked a young family out with the sheriff and they did nothing. Absolutely nothing wrong. I was the first space right next to the host and he would chase people on his golf cart about every hour looking for violations. Next year well not be staying here. We are 7 years been here but not with this guy anymore.
Chandler Gee
Jul 01, 2021
Report
Overall it’s a great little campsite if your expectations are set right. It’s an older, smaller campsite. It gets really tight though with not a ton of room for bigger campers. The shade is really nice, and the grass is well taken care of. There are a lot of rules though that the host and the owner for sure make you follow. They drive around on the golf cart all day watching you.
Mersad R.
Aug 27, 2020
Report
We pulled in around 6pm to setup camp and all the signs said "if the office is closed, go ahead and camp and check in with us in the morning"! So we did that, woke up in the morning, packed up and on our way out we stopped at the office to pay; come to find out they charge $44 PER NIGHT! I asked the girl at the desk if they had any signs up that stated thats how much they charged and she said theres no signs! Of course we could of left and not even bothered to stop by at the office but we stopped and paid the $44 per night! Overall ruined the whole experience due to not knowing how much
Stephenee D.
Jul 15, 2019
Report
This was a nice place to camp. Full hookups for our trailer and they had WiFi. The grass and trees were really nice as well for those who stayed in tents. They also have real bathrooms with flushing toilets and showers. It was close enough to walk to town, the river, and hot pots.
A few complaints:
- I think we had 3 campsites for our whole family but only had 1 fire pit and it was tiny!! It took a very long time to cook everyone's "hobo dinners."
- We had to call and ask them to clean the bathrooms. The women's bathroom was terribly disgusting for 3 days; the trash cans
A few complaints:
- I think we had 3 campsites for our whole family but only had 1 fire pit and it was tiny!! It took a very long time to cook everyone's "hobo dinners."
- We had to call and ask them to clean the bathrooms. The women's bathroom was terribly disgusting for 3 days; the trash cans
Joe B.
Jul 06, 2019
Report
Looked like a nice place upon arrival. I was led to my spot by a their camp "host" who seemed to have cop energy. BTW way this-place is run by the local law enforcement. Anyway, I was chewed out by the host when I tried to park my vehicle. He said I was going to get a $700 fine for driving across a camp site. I apologized and said I didn't know I was disturbing anything. Not a good first impression of a friendly place. They have good hook ups but the sites are EXTREMELY close to one another. Our neighbors were less than 10' away. There are so many places to camp in Lava
Sootah C.
Jun 04, 2019
Report
There was no one at this campground and after reading the reviews I now understand why. our experience wasn't much different than the other low ratings here. The cost $40/night for tent camping with no amenities is a little crazy even though the sign on the door says $10 tent camping. No one was there so we planned to pay in the morning. The spot we were in had a smell of a dead animal drifting in and it was too late in the night to pack up and move. Finally and most importantly Chelsea is a horrendous woman. If you hate your job or your life so much why work in customer service I'm
Lew C.
Jul 29, 2018
Report
If you like being packed in like a sardine, cars blocking roads, noise and yelling from drunks till midnight, dogs barking all day and night, one bathroom stall and old and dirty showers this place is for you. This was a very bad experience, and will not be returning. Have come here for years, seems with new management come changes to maximize their profits. There are many other choices in the area that are not like this place. Has some nice shade and is close to town. Stinks like a bad sewer.
Suzy A.
Jun 17, 2018
Report
Don't EVER book a a reservation here. They take full payment ahead of time and they will not give you any refund if you booked for one night. Even if it's raining cats and dogs, even if you have extenuating circumstances, they are unwavering and unhelpful. They wouldn't even let me put my deposit towards a future use which is a terrible policy. For being in the hospitality industry they are not hospitable at all. She was very curt with me and didn't offer any recourse other than taking my money. We had stayed here before and had a lovely time, but I'll never be using this
N. E.
Jul 03, 2017
Report
Kim B.
Aug 24, 2016
Report
Didn't know where our next stop would be on our summer trip. Husband found Lava Springs for a few days. Looked at the reviews on campgrounds and was very impressed by Mary's Place. This place is beautiful and the staff is incredible. Ended up staying another night. Everyone in the cute little town was very nice. We will definitely plan on coming back next year if we can. If you are near Lava Springs this campground is a must stay.
Ashley J.
Jul 23, 2016
Report
Irene S.
Jul 23, 2016
Report
We loved this clean campground. The managers kiara and Dave were awesome and made our trip easy. Stay in the area away from the waterfront for shade. And there is a fence by the water and a loud train that comes thru 6 or 7 times a day. A hike down to a natural spring in the river was great as well. Couple blocks to walk to center of town and the hot springs. River rafting exceptional.
Melissa Y.
Jul 06, 2016
Report
After reading and doing research on this PRIVATE non big business park we have returned each year for a peaceful and always hospitable time. As always the grounds are well manicured ,flowers are homey, facilities are alway clean, guests come far and wide. The "family" returns each year whether it be after their own family reunions, passing through, R&R, or just a weekend get away. It is a safe and friendly place to go to. In the premise of the late owners, Glen and Mary ' Memsie' Perkins " A life that touches the hearts of others goes on forever and ever'
Brady L.
Aug 22, 2015
Report
Very disappointed in Marys Place. I had see it from afar many times from KOA and Lava. We decided to give it a try. Everywhere we camp, we drive our street legal UTV into town, and after unloading it here, we were told by staff to load it back up or park it in the KOA because they don't allow any UTV, ATV or motorcycle. I explained it was street legal and our vehicle to drive into town, but they didn't care. We now have to drive our 25' motor home and 14' trailer into town to do anything in town after disconnecting everything and hook back up when we get back. Very ridiculous
Annie A.
Jul 06, 2015
Report
We just spent the greatest 4th of July weekend in Lava Hot Springs, and Mary's Place is the best place to camp. Perfect view for the town's firework show too!
We had lots of space and there is so much grass for the kids to run around on. We've stayed at other campgrounds in Lava and we were disappointed at how tightly we were packed into a gravel parking lot.
The camp hosts were the best though! Kiera made red, white and blue rice Krispy treats and served them with lemonade for everyone in the camp ground. They even drove around and picked up our garbage at night. And they were
We had lots of space and there is so much grass for the kids to run around on. We've stayed at other campgrounds in Lava and we were disappointed at how tightly we were packed into a gravel parking lot.
The camp hosts were the best though! Kiera made red, white and blue rice Krispy treats and served them with lemonade for everyone in the camp ground. They even drove around and picked up our garbage at night. And they were
