Best Dispersed Camping near Avery, ID
Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the St. Joe River and Coeur d'Alene River watersheds near Avery, Idaho, with several primitive sites on U.S. Forest Service and Idaho Fish and Wildlife lands. Free camping areas include Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed, Stevens Lakes Backcountry, and multiple unnamed sites along the St. Joe River Road. The North Fork Coeur d'Alene River area provides additional options for those seeking no-fee camping on public lands, with sites accessible via various forest roads and pull-offs.
Access routes to dispersed sites vary considerably in quality and difficulty. Many areas require travel on unpaved forest roads that may become challenging during wet weather or winter months. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching more remote locations, particularly for sites like Stevens Lakes Backcountry which requires a hike-in approach. Most dispersed areas have no drinking water, no hookups, and limited or no toilet facilities. Fire restrictions are common during summer months, with campers reporting established fire rings at many sites. Time limits typically restrict stays to 3-14 days depending on the managing agency, with Bull Run Access specifically limited to 3 days.
The region's dispersed camping areas provide excellent access to fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The St. Joe River sites offer riverside camping with good privacy between sites. At Stevens Lakes Backcountry, campers can enjoy mountain lake settings after a moderate hike. One visitor to Cliff Creek noted its "great location near the Hiawatha trail" with "primitive off grid camping" and mentioned that "the busses picking up Hiawatha trail users go right by the campground multiple times a day in the summer." Another camper described Big Creek as having "secluded dispersed campsites" that are "definitely worth spending a few days fly fishing or hiking the area."