Camping sites near Avery, Idaho center around the St. Joe River valley at elevations between 2,200-4,500 feet. This region experiences heavy winter snowfall with road closures typically from November through April, limiting most camping opportunities to the late spring through early fall season. Forest Service roads accessing many sites require high-clearance vehicles and contain numerous blind corners.
What to do
Creek exploration: At Marble Creek Campground, campers can search for colorful rocks along the creek and access nearby geological features. "All along Marble Creek, you will find various sites... Every camp has great access to the creek where you can search for all kinds of beautiful rocks and even go fishing," notes one visitor.
Cave adventures: Several unique cave formations exist within driving distance of camping areas. "Just miles from the camp, there is an old man-built cave that makes its way through the entire mountain. You can drop family members off, let them walk through the exciting damp, dark cave, and pick them up on the other side," reports a Marble Creek visitor.
Fishing opportunities: The St. Joe River corridor provides excellent fishing access directly from most campgrounds. At Tin Can Flat Campground, one camper mentioned the "Nice little path down to the river. Nice spot to drive up and down for fishing."
What campers like
Natural features: Many campgrounds feature unique geological elements not found elsewhere. A visitor to Tin Can Flat discovered: "we set up camp in one of the very few spots and walked down to the river via the very convenient path, looked down, and there was a bunch of purple sand. I panned a bit of the sand and it is full of tiny garnets. Pretty cool!"
Secluded settings: Despite proximity to Forest Service roads, most sites offer relative isolation. At Turner Flat Campground, campers appreciate that "you get ALOT of privacy for a formal campground... This area was not very busy which I really liked for the peak time of year."
Natural soundscapes: The sound of flowing water enhances many camping experiences in the area. At Wallace RV Park, though more developed than forest campgrounds, a visitor reported: "We backed right above the creek. With the windows open I could hear it babbling all night. Pure bliss."
What you should know
Bear activity: Wildlife encounters require proper food storage and awareness. At Lake Elsie Campground, a recent camper warned: "multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart."
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating challenging forest roads. For Lake Elsie, a visitor advised: "The road up is rough, potholes, it does get better about halfway up. Expect at least 30 minutes to get up after you hit the gravel, and that's pushing it pretty hard."
Site amenities: Most forest campgrounds offer minimal facilities. At Packsaddle Campground, a visitor noted: "Benches, fire circles and no wood provided... If you come with a group and snag both sites it's a private area just off of the road and easy to get to."
Tips for camping with families
Historical exploration: The region offers educational opportunities beyond natural features. A visitor to Marble Creek explained: "The typical float route of the St. Joe River is about a 20 minute drive from all the camps, making it the perfect central spot for an exciting camping adventure."
Bug preparation: Insect protection is essential during summer months. At Turner Flat, one camper warned: "Bring a lot of bug repellent if in peak season for mosquitos. I got eaten alive when I stayed here."
Trail access: Many campgrounds connect directly to hiking and biking trails. At Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed, a visitor highlighted its strategic location: "Great location to stay if you're doing the Hiawatha trail and want to camp in the area. The busses picking up hiawatha trail users go right by the campground multiple times a day in the summer."
Tips from RVers
Generator planning: Most forest campgrounds lack electrical hookups, so plan accordingly. Lake Elsie visitors frequently mentioned the need for self-contained power, especially for longer stays.
Site selection: The limited number of level RV-compatible sites requires early arrival. At Cabins by the Joe, a visitor advised: "It is a ways out and you better bring every thing you need because there aren't any stores close. They do have ice, on site."
Alternative options: For RVers seeking more amenities, consider locations with full hookups. A camper at Wallace RV Park mentioned: "Clean park with beautiful creekside camping. Friendly employees and a convenient Brew Pub within walking distance. Grassy areas at sites and very pet friendly."
