Best Tent Camping near Avery, ID

Tent campsites near Avery, Idaho offer primitive camping experiences within the St. Joe National Forest. Several established tent campgrounds serve as gateways to the surrounding wilderness, including Packsaddle Campground, Telichpah Campground, and Little North Fork Campground. These sites provide basic amenities for tent campers seeking a rustic outdoor experience in northern Idaho's forested terrain.

Most tent sites feature simple dirt or gravel pads with minimal improvements. Vault toilets are available at several locations, including Telichpah and Packsaddle campgrounds, but campers should bring their own drinking water and supplies. According to one visitor, "Small, quiet, free...what more could you want?!" Many sites operate seasonally, with Telichpah Campground typically open from May to October. Fire rings are provided at some locations like Little North Fork Campground, though fire restrictions may apply during dry summer months. Access roads to certain areas can be challenging, particularly for Lake Elsie Campground, which requires high-clearance vehicles.

The tent camping experience in this region offers genuine backcountry immersion. Sites are generally well-spaced, providing privacy even during peak season. One camper noted that Packsaddle Campground has "few trees which lead to me only scouting it out and hiking the trails nearby," highlighting considerations for hammock campers. Smith Ridge Trailhead offers dispersed tent camping opportunities for those seeking more seclusion. Many tent sites provide access to nearby hiking trails, fishing spots, and scenic viewpoints. The area around Marble Creek Campground features interesting geological formations, including a man-made cave that visitors can explore. Fall camping tends to offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it an ideal time for tent campers seeking solitude in this remote corner of Idaho.

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Best Tent Sites Near Avery, Idaho (48)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Avery, ID

463 Reviews of 48 Avery Campgrounds


  • Nicole B.
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Hawleys Landing Campground — Heyburn State Park

    Great Campground but loud maintenance

    We stayed at Chatcolet campground for two nights in late June. The campground is really nice with lovely hosts and clean flushable toilets. We booked site 128 and didn’t realise it was a tent only site with a short walk from where you park to the picnic table, fire ring and tent pad. We have a rooftop tent so we parked and set up our tent and then just carried our chairs, food and wood down to the picnic table. Privacy on these sites isn’t the best, I would recommend booking this site along with 129 as a group site to give yourself good privacy.

    Overall this campground was great, the toilets were clean, they are porcelain, flushing toilets inside a hut. There was drinking water and some nice walks to the lake, if you have bicycles there is a really nice cycle that you can do. The reason for rating this 3 out of 5 is that there was very noisy and intrusive maintenance going on from 7am to 5pm in the sites next to us which was very disruptive. No warning had been given about maintenance in the campground, notice was only given regarding roadworks leading into the campground.

  • Matthew S.
    Aug. 8, 2022

    Copper King

    Great little spot to relax

    This is a free campground. There are five sites with generous spacing. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There is a privy and one bear box in the middle of the circle. This campground doesn't really accommodate large RVs, but it's great for tent camping. Although it sits along the river, it doesn't really have great river access. The campground is no more than 10 minutes from Thompson falls, so it's easy to get to town if you need to.

  • Kandi R.
    May. 23, 2023

    Little Joe Campground - Lolo National Forest

    Lots of trees

    Sites Right along the river. A few sites are in a cul de sac style and would be great for group camping. The other two are fairly secluded. No water. No garbage. There is a Vaulted toilet. Each site has fire ring and a picnic table.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Bumblebee Campground

    Not much to praise

    Coeur d’Alene River Road has SO many places to boondocks and camp, I wouldn’t waste our money on this campground again. The pit toilets were clean and the fire rings and picnic tables were in good shape, hence the two stars. Lots of wasps. No water. Nothing to do within walking distance. Find a boondock spot and save the $28.00

  • Katherine B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Isabella Landing Camp

    Simple but pretty

    More of a primitive type of campground, although there are vault toilets. Plenty of spaces along the river; however there is a river take out that may be used to back trailers up to, so the flat spots across from it may not be ideal.

  • Clifford F.
    Jun. 22, 2021

    Camp Coeur D Alene

    Nice campground

    We’ve stayed here a couple times now. It is a nice place. It is a little run down though. The car, tent camping is great. You have your own plot under trees. If you tent camp is the rest of the camp ground you will need a pad under your tent. I ground is pretty course gravel with up to 1.25” sharp stones. Firewood is free though.

  • U
    Sep. 8, 2021

    Rainy Hill Campground

    Okay in a pinch, a bit sketchy for a solo camper

    I found this free spot on another free campsites app. It’s right next to a National Forest boat launch, where there are 2 pit toilets. The campgrounds themselves are dispersed, with already human made fire rings. Some sites are next to the water (those were taken), I ended up driving to see what’s open and settled on top of a hill. There was another camper who must have been there for a while, set up a little tarp village, he looked like he was moved in there… and then a bear up pickup truck drove by few times - something about it felt sketchy to me. I explored a bit more the next day - there are several walk-in sites which looked great - but you can’t drive into those - some up on a hill, some at the bottom of a hill past big boulders.

  • Devon C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Shadowy St. Joe Campground — Idaho Panhandle National Forests

    Great Campground

    The Shadowy St. Joe Campground is a great place to stay. It has 14 sites total. With one taken by the camp hosts, all are paved, with space for 2 vehicles each, have fire pits, and a picnic bench, and electricity. 7 sites to reserve ahead of time on the meadow side that has grass and is spacious. There are 6 first come first serve sites, 2 on the meadow side, and 4 along the river. If looking to reserve a site, the numbers start with #1 closest to the entrance on the meadow side and grow larger in counter clockwise fashion. There is a day use area you can also reserve, with charcoal grills, and multiple picnic benches. There are several vault toilets and all are kept very clean by the 2 wonderful park hosts. There is a boat launch area for day use, with a small fee, but if camping there is no extra charge. There is 2 docks and if staying multiple days you can leave your boat on the dock overnight. It is supposed to be a no wake zone, but the signs have warn down, so we lost a bumper to our boat from crashing into the dock, from passing boat wakes. There is a couple of potable water stations available, with small hose spouts, but no water hookups at the sites. The sites are electric with 50amp, 30amp, and 110 plugs available. No sewer hookup at the sites, but there is a dump station at the fairgrounds in the town of St. Maries about 10 miles away. Phone service is spotty, texting easier and lots of dropped calls, but we like to unplug when camping. Dogs are allowed with no limits, just to stay on leashes at all times. The Lazy St. Joe River is boat passable up to St. Joe City, and all the way to Lake Coeur d'Alene if you want to adventure for a full day in the boat. Great for fishing too. Make sure to have Idaho invasive species tag for the boat if you are from out of state. The Sheriff and Park Rangers patrol daily and check. St. Maries has 2 grocery stores, and sports shop where you can get supplies, and fishing licenses. The town also has great shops, a swimming pool, parks, restaurants, and ATM/banks. This is a great little gem in the Gem State.

  • Shaun W.
    Aug. 18, 2017

    Weitas Creek Campground

    Needs a Titdy up.

    it is free witch is amazing thank you. But it would like a tidy up. Only 2 of the sites are in my opinion any good one ones to the left and right of the bridge. I dear not go in the vault toilets. Great location for fishing access. Did get little busy before dark and not many trees so you had dust going threw your camp but it was free.


Guide to Avery

Avery, Idaho, offers a stunning backdrop for tent camping enthusiasts, with its lush forests and serene lakes providing a perfect escape into nature.

Tips for tent camping near Avery

  • Pack out what you pack in: Campers at Little North Fork Campground emphasize the importance of leaving no trace, ensuring the area remains pristine for future visitors.
  • Be prepared for rough roads: Accessing Lake Elsie Campground requires navigating a challenging dirt road, so a suitable vehicle is essential.
  • Check for amenities: While some sites like Telichpah Campground offer basic facilities, others may lack water sources, so plan accordingly.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout at Little North Fork Campground, where the scenic surroundings enhance your fishing experience.
  • Explore the breathtaking views and trails around Marble Creek Campground, known for its rivers and caves that invite adventure.
  • Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular at Lake Elsie Campground, where the calm waters provide an ideal setting for water sports.

Campground amenities to consider

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Avery, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Avery, ID is Lake Elsie Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Avery, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 48 tent camping locations near Avery, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.