Tent camping opportunities near Calder, Idaho extend beyond established campgrounds to include numerous dispersed sites throughout the St. Joe National Forest. Most dispersed camping areas sit at elevations between 2,800-4,200 feet, resulting in camping seasons typically running from late spring through early fall. Forest service roads accessing these areas often remain snow-covered until late May, with higher elevation roads sometimes impassable until June.
What to do
Fishing excursions: The Little North Fork Campground provides direct access to productive fishing waters. According to Cody B., "Not many places to camp, but great fishing for cutthroats and rainbows. Takes a while to drive in, but well worth it once you are there!"
Cave exploration: The Marble Creek area features unique geological formations worth exploring. Jade F. notes, "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."
Target practice: Remote backcountry areas like Tingley Spring offer opportunities for firearm practice. Megan K. reports, "There are several sites near here and it's remote enough to sight in your guns and do a little practice."
Water recreation: Several alpine lakes near Calder support non-motorized water activities. Nathan M. from Lake Elsie Campground mentions that it's an "Awesome lake for kayaking and paddle boarding."
What campers like
Alpine lakes: The high country lakes provide picturesque camping environments. According to Jessica C. from Lake Elsie Campground, "We stay here often. Easy to drive up to. Any vehicle will do. Dirt road to the top where you will find a lovely little lake with 4-5 camp spots surrounding it."
Creek access: Many campsites feature proximity to moving water. Jade F. writes about Marble Creek, "Every camp has great access to the creek where you can search for all kinds of beautiful rocks and even go fishing."
Trail networks: The St. Joe National Forest offers extensive hiking and ATV trails. Saphrenne R. shares about Lake Elsie, "There is really good fishing and ATV trails for MILES through the wilderness! Seriously, one of the most fun places to camp."
Solitude options: Visiting during weekdays significantly increases chances of securing prime camping locations. Ivy K. notes about Lake Elsie, "Multiple campsites right along the lake. It might get a bit crowded on summer weekends but multiple sites were vacant when we arrived on a Thursday afternoon in July."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require high-clearance vehicles. Samuel H. warns about Lake Elsie, "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."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. Gretchen B. describes Telichpah Campground as "clean, no frills, had a well-maintained vault toilet, and there was even a small creek for pleasant background sleeping sounds."
Wildlife concerns: Bear activity occurs regularly in some camping areas. Natalie J. cautions about Lake Elsie, "Multiple bears went through the campground in the evening and came back at around 3am. Be careful with your food and be smart."
Seasonal considerations: Snow often impacts accessibility until late spring. Saphrenne R. notes, "The road sometimes still has a good foot of snow until about Mid-June, so beware."
Tips for camping with families
Smaller campgrounds: Sites with fewer camping spots often provide quieter experiences. Gretchen B. recommends Telichpah Campground: "This little (5 camping sites) primitive campground suited our needs perfectly."
Pack supplies: No services exist at most backcountry sites. Megan K. advises for Packsaddle Campground, "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."
Noise levels: Some areas experience significant recreational vehicle traffic. Natalie J. warns, "If you are not into ATV and dirt bike riding, I would not recommend. Other campers were riding their bikes all day and night making it very loud, especially with the echos off the lake."
Environmental impact: Trash management has become problematic at some popular sites. Diadra G. reports about Lake Elsie, "There was broken glass EVERYWHERE. We cleaned up so much trash in our site and off the road."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most forest roads and campgrounds cannot accommodate larger recreational vehicles. Lili G. states about Lake Elsie, "ROAD IS NARROW, WINDY, AND STEEP. not at all trailer or big rig friendly."
Primitive parking: For those with smaller trailers, some areas do provide access. Russell M. notes about Lake Elsie, "Narrow road up to the lake but definitely worth it. Tons of riding trails and and a quiet campground."
