Best Tent Camping near Calder, ID
Tent camping options near Calder, Idaho include several primitive sites within the St. Joe National Forest. Camp 3 Campground offers tent-specific sites with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Little North Fork Campground provides drive-in tent sites along a tributary of the Coeur d'Alene River, while Packsaddle Campground features tent-only camping with toilet facilities.
Most tent sites in the Calder area feature packed soil or gravel surfaces with minimal improvements. Campgrounds typically include fire rings, but campers should bring their own water as drinking water is not available at most locations. The camping season generally runs from May through September or October, with some higher elevation sites inaccessible until snowmelt. Alcohol and pets are permitted at several campgrounds, including Little North Fork and Packsaddle. Vault toilets are available at Camp 3 and Packsaddle, but many dispersed tent sites lack facilities entirely.
Tent campers in the Calder region enjoy access to excellent fishing opportunities and hiking trails. The Little North Fork area provides streamside camping with good fly fishing access. Sites are typically well-spaced, offering privacy even during busier summer months. The surrounding St. Joe National Forest offers extensive trail networks for day hiking or backpacking from established tent sites. According to one visitor, "Breakwater Campground stretches along a tributary of the CdA river, and there is great tent camping and fly fishing." Another camper noted that while some sites have limited trees for hammock camping, the area offers "beautiful scenery" for those exploring local trails.
