U.S. National Forest Campground Guide

St. Joe National Forest

Idaho



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CAMPGROUND NAME: Emerald Creek

VISIT DATE: 09/15/1997

UPDATE DATE: 2/20/2017

STATE: Idaho

REGION: Northern

RANGER DISTRICT: St. Joe

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Fernwood

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
In Fernwood, ID, take State Rt. 3 south 4 miles to campground
sign (Forest Rt. 447).  Turn right at sign onto Rt. 447 and go
3.2 miles to a "Y" intersection.  Bear left and go 1.7 miles to
campground on left.

NOTE:  Forest Rt. 447 becomes gravel after 0.3 miles.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
The elevation is 2,900 ft.

Near the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, this is a quiet and
attractive single-loop campground.  It is located in a stand of
mixed conifers including Douglas fir and Lodgepole pine.  Most
sites are well shaded, enjoy good privacy, and each has a
pedestal grille.  The Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area is a good
day trip from the campground.

If garnets are of interest, visiting the Garnet Digging area is a
must.  A permit, available for a fee, is required for washing and
screening gravel - obtained from the recreation.gov website  
Garnet-bearing gravel are taken from a stockpile to a sluice where 
the gravel is washed and screened.  All equipment is provided; no 
need to bring your own. Idaho and India are the only two places in 
the world where Star garnets are found.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year: No

Seasonal Comment:
Open week before Memorial Day through mid-September - 
weather dependent

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $6 per day
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 17
   
   Total Sites: 17

Tent Pads: No
Open Sites: Yes
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 17
No. Grilles on Sites: 17
Equestrian Camping:  No

RV INFORMATION
Hookups: None
No. RV Pull Throughs: 1
Waste Station: No
Average Parking Apron Size: 15' X 45'

Comments:
The parking aprons are gravel.  An RV waste station, with no
potable water, is available for a fee at Ed's R&R Service station
in St. Maries on State Rt. 3 north.

FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1
  No. Threaded: 0

Comments:
The water spigot is a hand pump.

WATER SPORTS - None

HIKING - No

FISHING - No

CAMPGROUND NAME: Fly Flat VISIT DATE: 09/16/1997 UPDATE DATE: 2/20/2017 STATE: Idaho REGION: Northern RANGER DISTRICT: St. Joe NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Avery RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: From Avery, ID, take FH 50 east 29.2 miles to Ranger Station (Forest Rt. 218) sign. Turn right at sign, crossing bridge, onto Rt. 218 and go 3.4 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground. NOTE: Forest Rt. 218 is single lane with turn-outs. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 3,500 ft. The campground is pack it in, pack it out and located in heavily wooded mixed pines along the St. Joe River. The campground has the feel of wilderness without all the inconveniences. Up Rt. FH 250 about 7 miles is the Red Ives Work Center which is a visitor center and historical site. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open week before Memorial Day through mid-September - weather dependent RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: No charge - donations accepted Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 14 Total Sites: 14 Tent Pads: No Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 14 No. Grilles on Sites: 12 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Average Parking Apron Size: 14' X 61' Comments: The parking aprons are gravel. There is a Forest Service RV waste station avialable 0.7 miles east of Avery on Rt. FH 50. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: No Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: The water spigot is hand pump. WATER SPORTS Lake: No Swimming (provided): No Sailing: No Boat Ramp: No Boat Carry Down Access: No Power Boating: No Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): Yes Kayaking (whitewater): Yes Comments: The St. Joe Wild and Scenic River is popular whitewater river from March through early June. Contact the St. Joe Ranger District Office for conditions, river accesses, and outfitters. HIKING - No - Peggy Peak (#629) and Mosquito Creek (#28) trails are nearby. FISHING Cutthroat trout and Mountain whitefish. All are catch and release.

CAMPGROUND NAME: Shadowy St. Joe VISIT DATE: 09/15/1997 UPDATE DATE: 2/20/2017 STATE: Idaho REGION: Northern RANGER DISTRICT: St. Joe NEAREST CITY/TOWN: St. Maries RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In St. Maries, ID, take State Rt. 3 north (to Kellogg) 0.6 miles to "Y" intersection (St. Joe River Rd. - Rt. FH 50). Bear right onto Rt. FH 50 and go 10.8 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 2,100 ft. The campground is on the north bank of the lazy flowing St. Joe River. Wide and placid at the campground, the river invites campers to take their canoe for a paddle Some sites overlook the river and most are shaded by large deciduous trees. It is neat with nicely manicured grass and Alder trees. St. Maries is close enough for a cook's night out. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open mid-May through mid-September - weather dependent RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $6 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 13 Total Sites: 13 Tent Pads: No Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: No No. Tables on Sites: 13 No. Grilles on Sites: 13 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Average Parking Apron Size: 14.5' X 52' Comments: The parking aprons are paved. An RV waste station is available for a fee at Ed's R&R Service station in St. Maries on State Rt 3 north. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 2 No. Threaded: 0 WATER SPORTS Lake: No Swimming (provided): No Sailing: No Boat Ramp: Yes Boat Carry Down Access: No Power Boating: Yes Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): No Kayaking (whitewater): No Comments: Canoeing at this location on the St. Joe River is possible. HIKING - No FISHING Cutthroat and Rainbow trout

CAMPGROUND NAME: Telichpah VISIT DATE: 2/6/2008 UPDATE DATE: 2/20/2017 STATE: Idaho REGION: Northern RANGER DISTRICT: St. Joe NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Avery RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: In Avery, ID, at intersection of FH50 and Moon Pass Rd, take Moon Pass Rd north. Immediately turn right onto N.F. St. Joe River Rd (Forest Route 456) and go 4.6 miles to a one lane bridge (no campground sign). Turn left just before the bridge onto a steep, narrow, and dirt single-lane road and go 0.1 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear right and go 0.5 miles into campground. NOTE: Forest Rt. 456 is an intermittently single-lane, gravel roadway with three single lane reconstructed former railroad tunnels. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 2,800 ft. The campground, a.k.a. North Fork, hugs the east bank of North Fork St. Joe River in a stand of Lodgepole pine. It has three unnamed sections. Sites 1 through 5 are at the Squaw Creek trailhead. Site 6 is a secluded group section. And the section with sites 7 through 15 offer easy access to the river which can be heard but not seen from all the campsites. With little understory and no middlestory, privacy is only fair. The campground is a good base camp for bicyclists exploring the Hiawatha Trail. The Hiawatha Rail Trail (Pearson trailhead) for hikers and mountain bikers, is about 7 miles north of campground off Forest Rt. 456. Thus far, 13 miles of the trail have been completed in Idaho and Montana. In Idaho, the trail currently passes through 9 tunnels and 7 high steel trestles. There are interpretive signs along the route explaining, among other things, the history of the 46-mile "Milwaukee Road" of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. It is part of the Rail-to-Trails network. Contact the St. Joe Ranger District Office for a free brochure. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open weekend before Memorial Day through mid-September - weather dependent RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: No charge - donations accepted Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 14 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 0 Total Sites: 14 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 14 No. Grilles on Sites: 14 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Truck campers (slide-ins) can be accommodated. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0 WATER SPORTS - None HIKING Squaw Creek Trail #196 (foot & horse) - 4 miles See General Comments for information about the Hiawatha Rail Trail. FISHING Cutthroat trout

CAMPGROUND NAME: Tin Can Flat VISIT DATE: 09/16/1997 UPDATE DATE: 2/20/2017 STATE: Idaho REGION: Northern RANGER DISTRICT: St. Joe NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Avery RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: From Avery, ID, take FH 50 east 11.3 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 2,700 ft. The campground is pack it in, pack it out and stretches along St. Joe River among Western cedar, Grand fir and other conifers. The river can be seen and heard throughout the campground. Separation rather than vegetation provides excellent privacy. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open week before Memorial Day through mid-September - weather dependent RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $6 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 11 Total Sites: 11 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 11 No. Grilles on Sites: 11 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Average Parking Apron Size: 14' X 52' Comments: The parking aprons are paved. There is a Forest Service RV waste station with potable water available 0.7 miles east of Avery on FH 50, mile post 48. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: The water spigot is a hand pump. WATER SPORTS Lake: No Swimming (provided): No Sailing: No Boat Ramp: No Boat Carry Down Access: No Power Boating: No Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): Yes Kayaking (whitewater): Yes Comments: The St. Joe Wild and Scenic River is popular whitewater river from March through early June. Contact St. Joe Ranger District Office for conditions, river access, and outfitters. HIKING - No FISHING Fishing: Yes Comments: Cutthroat trout and Mountain whitefish - all catch and release.

CAMPGROUND NAME: Turner Flat VISIT DATE: 09/10/1997 UPDATE DATE: 2/20/2017 STATE: Idaho REGION: Northern RANGER DISTRICT: St. Joe NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Avery RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: From Avery, ID, take FH 50 east 8.7 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 2,700 ft. A pack it in, pack it out campground, it has spacious campsites stretching along St. Joe River in a stand of mixed pine. The sites at the front of the campground are open - perfect for equestrian campers with portable corrals. The campsites are more wooded toward the end of the campground, providing campers with ample shade and good privacy. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open week before Memorial Day through mid-September - weather dependent RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $6 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 0 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 11 Total Sites: 11 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: Yes Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 11 No. Grilles on Sites: 11 Equestrian Camping: Yes RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Average Parking Apron Size: 22' X 43' Comments: The parking aprons are paved. A Forest Service RV waste station with potable water is available for a fee 0.7 miles east of Avery on FH 50, milepost 48. FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 1 No. Threaded: 0 Comments: The water spigot is hand pump. WATER SPORTS Lake: No Swimming (provided): No Sailing: No Boat Ramp: No Boat Carry Down Access: Yes Power Boating: No Boating (no power): Yes Water Skiing: No Rafting (whitewater): Yes Kayaking (whitewater): Yes Comments: The St. Joe Wild and Scenic River is popular whitewater river from March through early June. Contact St. Joe Ranger District Office for conditions, river access, and outfitters. HIKING - No FISHING Cutthroat trout.




Fred and Suzi Dow