Map showing campground location near Potlatch, Idaho

Camper submitted image from Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park

Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Sitting on a ridgeline inside Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park, Redtail Campground faces east, south, and west with open sightlines stretching 50 miles or more toward distant valleys. The campground sees very little traffic, and midweek visits have consistently meant having the sites to yourself. Sites run reasonably flat but are not well-suited to pop-up campers, and shade is limited since the tree cover is sparse. AT&T and Verizon users have reported three-bar coverage. A central water spigot sits near the vault toilets, though at least one reviewer found it turned off on arrival. Campers exploring campgrounds around Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park will find additional options along Skyline Drive, including Mission Mountain Campground roughly a half mile north. Plan to arrive before sundown.

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Map & DirectionsRedtail Campground is located in Idaho near Potlatch

Public Campground

Coordinates

47.062580614296564 N
116.94339750366493 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

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Drive Time

1 hr 21 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
1 hr 23 min from Lewiston, ID
1 hr 24 min from Spokane, WA
2 hrs 36 min from Walla Walla, WA

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Reviews3 Camper Reviews - Redtail Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

3 Reviews

Guests commonly noted spectacular ridgeline views and clean facilities at this free campground. Many mentioned having the place to themselves, though limited shade and narrow access roads were occasional concerns.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Mark M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2025

Great views!

We stayed here for a night midweek after the Memorial Day weekend and had the whole campground to ourselves. Beautiful unobstructed views to the East, South and West. Initially pulled in under a large dead ponderosa pine tree and decided to move to another spot to avoid windfall. The water from the spigot was cold and lovely - filled up all our jugs.

Month of VisitMay

brett I.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2024

A hidden gem

Take a night or two to visit this nearly unused campground. What a wonder. You are on the Ridgeline between two valleys with views of the horizons of 50 miles or more. To the east ot is very much like the views in the Smokey mountains. Not a lot of shade at this campground. Great for solar and Skylink. ATT and Verizon were 3 plus. Make certain the chores are done and the drinks are made before the light show begins at sundown. Vault toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. Sites at this campground are reasonably flat and deep but not a lot of room for pop-ups.

Camping here is free.

My only criticism is the distance between signs on a very small road. A few more signs would be reassuring. For this campground, head generally south on Skyline Drive until you think you should be there, then go 2 more miles.

Central potable water by the privy.

Siteno site designator

Month of VisitAugust

Reid

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2023

Okay, free Camping th

There's not a lot of choices for camping in this area, but we ventured off hwy 95 and traveled about 9 miles to the Redtail campground. Had the campground to ourselves. It was nice. There was potable water but it was turned off. The restroom was clean. Had good cellphone service. Not enough trees for shade from sun. But it was free Camping.

Sitenot numbered

Month of VisitJuly

(5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Redtail Campground?

Redtail Campground in Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park offers basic amenities in a remote setting. The campground has potable water (though it may be seasonally available), clean restroom facilities, and camping sites with panoramic views. There isn't extensive shade coverage at most sites, making it excellent for solar power setups. Cell phone service is generally good throughout the campground. The location provides spectacular 50+ mile views across surrounding valleys, particularly to the east where the vista resembles the Smoky Mountains.

How do I make reservations at Redtail Campground?

Redtail Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservation system. The campground is typically uncrowded, with visitors often having the entire area to themselves, especially during weekdays and non-holiday periods. For the most current information on availability or potential reservation policies, contact Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park directly or check the Idaho State Parks website before your trip.

Are fires allowed at Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Redtail Campground — Mary Minerva McCroskey State Park?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, good coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.

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