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Access Site ID

Shadowy St. Joe Campground

St. Joe River

Source: idaho_parks_and_recreation Updated 1 year ago

City: Saint Maries, ID
County: Benewah County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 47.32375948, -116.39345304
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Whitewater Run
I-II St. Joe - 6. Packsaddle CG near Avery to Lake Coeur d'Alene
View Run
Current Conditions
About This Access Site
Located 10.6 miles north of Saint Maries on Forest Highway 50, Shadowy St. Joe Campground offers a convenient boat launch and dock facility on a slack water section of the St. Joe River. The ramp provides access for kayakers, canoeists, and motorized boats; motorized craft can continue upriver toward St. Joe City. The facility sits at 2,100 feet elevation in a peaceful, open setting with ample shade trees and well-maintained grounds ideal for day-use or overnight paddling trips.

The campground is reservable year-round and offers 13 spacious campsites accommodating tents, RVs, and trailers, each with a parking spur, picnic table, and fire ring. Amenities include drinking water, vault toilets, and a group picnic shelter. A $5 boat launch fee applies in addition to camping fees. For more information or reservations, contact the facility at 208-245-2531. This is a good staging point for accessing the St. Joe River's quieter upper sections and makes an excellent base for paddling and fishing trips.
Federal Facility Information
208-245-2531 Free Access Reservations Available

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...

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.  

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Nearby Campgrounds (1 within 10 miles)
Shadowy St. Joe Campground
On-site Reservable
Nearby Recreation Areas
Crystal Lake Located within
Crystal Lake Wilderness Study Area Located within