Garnet hunting, fishing, and creek-side camping draw visitors to Emerald Creek Campground in the St. Joe National Forest outside Clarkia, Idaho. The campground sits near Emerald Creek, and a Forest Service garnet area roughly four miles away gives campers a reason to explore beyond the sites themselves. Garnets occasionally surface in the creek sand along the road even when the designated area is closed. The season runs May through September.
Sites here show evidence of deliberate construction: tent pads on multiple levels, steps carved into hillsides, and generous spacing between sites. Tall evergreens shade much of the campground, and the creek provides consistent background sound. Occupancy tends to run light, even through late June, so privacy is generally not a concern. Celine K. describes the sites as "really beautiful campsites and very clean," a sentiment echoed across multiple reviews. Mosquitoes can be heavy, so repellent is worth packing.
Amenities include vault toilets, a hand pump for potable water, fire pits, and ADA-accessible facilities. The campground accommodates rigs up to 50 feet. Cell service is limited. The access road has a reputation for being rough, so drivers of low-clearance vehicles should factor that in before committing. No trash service is available, so campers pack out what they bring in.
For a different setup nearby, Timber Creek RV Park provides an alternative with full RV hookups, and Moose Creek Reservoir Access to the southwest suits campers looking for water-based recreation.
Description
The Emerald Creek Garnet Area is CURRENTLY CLOSED see Emerald Creek Garnet Area for current conditions Emerald Creek Campground features 18 camp units, potable water, and vault toilets. a short distance from the campground. The Garnet Area is one of our most popular recreation sites where, for a small fee, one can dig for gem quality star garnets. Mosquitos can be prolific throughout the season, consider bringing bug repellent.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsEmerald Creek Campground is located in Idaho near Clarkia
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.
Coordinates
47.00826469 N
116.3258814 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 28 min from Lewiston, ID
- 1 hr 44 min from Coeur d'Alene, ID
- 2 hrs 3 min from Spokane, WA
- 3 hrs 29 min from Missoula, MT
