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Shadowy St. Joe Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Idaho · Idaho Panhandle National Forests
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Idaho Panhandle National Forests |
| Location | Idaho · Idaho Panhandle National Forests · 47.32567, -116.39325 · Map |
| Sites | 14 public sites counted from the federal listing — 13 standard electric; 1 shelter electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 14 sites Water hookups at 0 of 14 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 14 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 14 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Campers utilizing the boat launch will have to pay an additional $5 boat launch fee. |
| Check-in / out | In 12:00 PM · Out 10:00 AM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 15 sites, as reported |
| Phone | 208-245-2531 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview The Shadowy St. Joe Campground (CG) is located 10.6 miles from St. Maries Idaho up the St. Joe River on Forest Highway 50. It is at 2100 feet elevation and on a slack water section of the river. The campground includes convenient paved roadways and camping spurs, 13 camping units and one host site. During peak season, 7 sites will be available for reservations.
Recreation The docks and boat ramp at Shadowy St. Joe CG allows for river access, fishing and swimming. Motorized boats can continue up the river to St. Joe City. The grassy landscape allows for relaxation in a peaceful setting.
Facilities Day and overnight use. 14 fully accessible campsites with electrical hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Refuse receptacle provided, ample parking, convenient trailer space, potable piped water, boat launch, and a group picnic shelter. The day use picnic shelter has tables that can seat up to 40 people. The campground is 10.6 miles from a full service community of St. Maries (population 3000) where a hospital, gas, food and services can be found.
Natural Features Camp sites are located in open, grassy areas with some fruit and ornamental shade trees. There is no beach but there are docks and a boat launch providing access to the river. The surrounding areas include private lands with open grassy areas. Herds of elk are often seen along the lower sections of the river.
Nearby Attractions The St. Joe River is well known as a fishing destination. Thirty miles further up the river is the town of Avery where the St. Joe River becomes a designated Wild and Scenic River. The gateway town of Avery Idaho has a renovated railroad depot with a museum, post office and a railroad car from the historic Route of the Hiawatha, small store with gas and fast food, a restaurant with pizza, chicken and beer, a fly fisherman shop with fishing supplies, souvenirs, deli sandwiches and ice cream. The upper river provides white water rafting in the spring and the lower river provides rafting, drift boating, canoeing and inner tubing. At times in the spring, mountain goats can be seen along the river upriver from Avery.
Directions, from the listing
From Saint Maries, take Highway 3 north. After 1/2 mile, turn right on Saint Joe River Road and continue for 10.6 miles. Turn right into campground.
Nearest federal campgrounds
15 mi straight-line · Calder IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceBumblebee Campground
22 mi straight-line · IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceBald Mountain Lookout (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, ID)
22 mi straight-line · POTLATCH IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceBeauty Creek Campground
23 mi straight-line · Coeur d'Alene IdahoFSU.S. Forest ServiceBell Bay Campground
23 mi straight-line · Harrison Idaho
Trip Card — Shadowy St. Joe Campground
Idaho · Idaho Panhandle National Forests
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Idaho · Idaho Panhandle National Forests |
| Fees | Campers utilizing the boat launch will have to pay an additional $5 boat launch fee. |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 14 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10305337 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.