171 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The forested landscape surrounding Clarkia, Idaho features a mix of established campgrounds and primitive sites within the St. Joe National Forest. Emerald Creek Campground, located directly in Clarkia, serves as a popular base for outdoor recreation with its well-spaced sites and access to creek-side camping from May through September. Within a 30-mile radius, campers can find additional options like Cedar Creek Campground, Little Boulder Campground, and Marble Creek Campground, each offering varying levels of amenities from basic vault toilets to drinking water access. The area supports both tent and RV camping, with some locations like Timber Creek RV Park catering specifically to motorized campers.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through September or early October due to mountain weather patterns. Forest Service roads accessing many sites may become impassable during winter months and spring thaw. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most locations, particularly those deeper in the national forest. As one camper noted about Emerald Creek: "This was the prettiest campground we stayed in during an extensive road trip through Idaho. Our site was very large with stately evergreen trees and a trail heading out." Fire restrictions are common during late summer months, and some campgrounds implement security measures like gate closures after certain hours, as reported at Little Boulder Campground where "they lock the gate at 10:00 p.m. and don't open it until morning."
Fishing opportunities rank high among visitor experiences, with numerous creeks and small lakes accessible from camping areas. Many campers report the peaceful sounds of flowing water as a highlight of their stay. At Emerald Creek, visitors can search for garnets, Idaho's state gem, in the nearby creek beds. According to one visitor: "The creek was nice background noise. It is also lots of fun to look for garnets in the creek!" Site spacing receives consistent praise, with reviewers frequently mentioning the privacy between campsites and ample shade from mature trees. Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities despite their remote locations, with vault toilets being the standard amenity. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, elk, and various bird species throughout the camping season.
"This was the prettiest campground we stayed in during an extensive road trip through Idaho. It was only half occupied during the end of June, so we enjoyed privacy and numerous bird songs."
"Idaho's state gem! The garnet area was closed when we went (erosion), but garnet sand was visible farther down the creek along the road."
"It’s my favorite close by paid camping ground. There are some trails at the end of the campground that trail up and around and connect to trails that lead back to campground areas."
"This is a campground surrounding a reservoir. This campground is pretty remote, but only 2 miles from Boville. There is easy access to the water were many people fish, swim, and canoe/kayak."
"It’s fairly private and there are vault toilets in the near by area. There are some good fishing areas nearby that my friends love messing around, but they have yet to catch fish at this location."
"Day use area has access to the creek."
"Although this campground is right on the road, it also has easy access to the reservoir where you can fish, swim, and boat. There are life jackets for use here next to the dock."
"If you are looking for a quiet town surrounded by forest this is the place to go. Be sure to go to the Giant Cedar Grove which has the largest cedar tree in North America."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This campground is off the beaten track down of forest development road near Deary Idaho. A great little hidden gem."
"But I have been here on two other occasions, as it’s close by and often is not full. There is a place to pump water which makes packing in a bit less work."
"Camp here for a real north Idaho camping experience."
"The Marble Creek Campground has a few sites and one outhouse facility nearby. Just miles from the camp, there is an old man-built cave that makes its way through the entire mountain."
"Make sure your vehicle is offroad the ride is very rough. Don’t bring any trailers, get offline map before coming. Bring a lot of water."
from $45 / night
Check Availability"Super easy access from the road, clean sites though somewhat close to neighboring sites. Awesome trails nearby for all levels"
"I found a really nice hiking trail near the campsite and spent most of the day exploring the surrounding areas. Our site did have a fire ring and a bench with dirt and moss cover."
GuideWe wanted to dry camp beside the river and fortunately for us we got a great spot for 2 nights. Far from everyone else. As the campground is situated along the famous Coeur d’ Alene bicycle path it gave us the opportunity to explore. Great experience. Lovely new and clean bathhouse with warm water. The host (Betsy) was very pleasant and welcoming. Enjoyed getting some exercise walking around the campground.
ScoutClean, beautiful spacious the people that own the campground are friendly and helpful. It’s a great place to camp the real bonus is there’s food there so you don’t have to do any cooking. It’s delicious!
GuideA decent rest stop to sleep for the night. I have 21ft travel trailer and there are quite a few spots. It does have water and a dump station at the entrance.
TravelerThe staff was so nice & friendly. Spots right on the water and super clean & well kept across the whole park. It is right next to a motel that got a bit loud at night but if you stay at a lot further from the motel I’m sure you wouldn’t hear it. Overall such a great spot, we loved it!
TravelerNice flat sites with 50 amp hookups for FREE! We ate at the restaurant which was nice.
RangerDrove to this camp ground. It is a beautiful place, unfortunately its closed without reason. But it is what it is
RangerNice little camp ground. 12$ a night. A few other campers around but still have space on either side of my van. Picnic benches at each site
ScoutFree camping for up to three days. They have an open field above boat launch and a small parking lot.vault toilets. No garbage can. Please observe leave no trace practices.
ScoutWe stop for a night on the way to Montana, great veiws . Very secluded. We will come again!
Camping near Clarkia, Idaho sits at elevations ranging from 2,800 to 3,200 feet in the northern panhandle region. Situated within the St. Joe National Forest, this area receives approximately 30 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush forested conditions for campers. Most campsites near Clarkia remain accessible from late May through mid-October, with forest roads typically closing during winter months.
Garnet hunting opportunities: At Emerald Creek Campground, visitors can search for Idaho's state gem in nearby creek beds. "It is also lots of fun to go look for garnets in the creek! Idaho's state gem! The garnet area was closed when we went (erosion), but garnet sand was visible farther down the creek along the road," notes camper Celine K.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail networks provide options for day hikes from campsites. At Giant White Pine Campground, campers find "awesome trails nearby for all levels," according to Rachel A. This campground connects to "a network of trails for hiking and biking originating from the campground."
Fishing access: Creek and reservoir fishing opportunities abound within 30 minutes of Clarkia. At Moose Creek Reservoir Access, "there is easy access to the water where many people fish, swim, and canoe/kayak. There are lots of docks stationed around the water," reports Hannah C. The small waterways throughout the region support various fish species including trout.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the thoughtful site layouts. At Little Boulder Campground, "they've done a good job of spacing the spots out and keeping plenty of trees and foliage in between for privacy," mentions Mike E. The campground features "private spots tucked up in the trees. All of the sites circle a meadow."
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. Little Boulder Campground stands out as "the restrooms here are some of the cleanest of the campgrounds in the area," according to Megan K. Similarly, Marble Creek Campground receives praise for its accessible facilities.
Natural sounds: The sound of flowing water enhances the camping experience at several locations. At Moose Creek Reservoir Access, "in the morning there is a beautiful fog that comes off the water. The sites have varying amount of privacy so you can find a spot that suits your preferences," notes Megan K.
Seasonal closures: Most forest roads and campgrounds close during winter months. Megan K. notes about Little Boulder Campground: "This camp site is not open year round but I'm not exactly sure when it closes. I came here to do some late fall camping and it was closed."
Security measures: Some campgrounds implement security protocols. At Elk Creek Campground, campers should note gate restrictions. According to Mike E. at Little Boulder Campground, "they lock the gate to the campground at 10:00 p.m. and don't open it until the morning unless you contact the campground host. Not sure why. Probably just for security."
Pack it in, pack it out: Many campgrounds have limited waste facilities. At Moose Creek Reservoir, Hannah C. appreciates that "they have trash facilities that are bear proof," but notes this isn't universal. Emerald Creek requires careful waste management: "This is a pack in pack out camp site... There is no potable water, no outhouses, and no trashcans! Please preserve this places beauty and pick up after yourselves."
Educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences for children. At Cedar Creek Campground, families can explore nearby attractions: "There are some good fishing areas nearby that my friends love messing around, but they have yet to catch fish at this location," shares Megan K. The creek beds and forest trails provide nature study opportunities.
Noise considerations: Road proximity affects some campgrounds. At Giant White Pine Campground, families should consider that it's "right off the highway, so traffic noise consistently. The trails are nice, but you don't come across water very often. Better for bikes and atv's," notes Tanny M.
Family-friendly layouts: Some campgrounds feature creative site designs ideal for families. One camper mentioned about Emerald Creek: "Care and creativity were used when building the sites; ours had tent sites on 2 levels, and another had little stairs carved into the dirt."
Size limitations: Most campgrounds accommodate smaller RVs only. At City of Bovill RV Park, RVers find "all the amenities you hope a RV Park has," according to Megan K., including full hookups, but parking areas at forest campgrounds have length restrictions.
All-season options: For year-round RV camping, City of Bovill RV Park offers "an all season RV Park. There's a nice patch of grass in the center during warm months. Sometimes we have a hard time finding all season parks," reports Megan K.
Surface conditions: RV campers should note varying pad surfaces. Giant White Pine provides sites with compact surfaces, while Timber Creek RV Park features "terrain is gravel and grass making it better than others where there's a place you can kick off your shoes and feel the grass between your toes."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clarkia, Idaho located and how do I get there?
Clarkia is a small community in northern Idaho, located between St. Maries and Potlatch in Shoshone County. To get there from Lewiston, take Highway 12 east about 18 miles until you reach McKay's Bend Recreation Site, then continue north on Highway 3 through Deary and toward Bovill. From Coeur d'Alene, you can take I-90 east, then use Highway 3 south through St. Maries. Many visitors access the area via Iron Mountain Campground near the Washington-Idaho border, taking unimproved roads through the rolling Palouse hills. The area is somewhat remote, so prepare accordingly with adequate fuel and supplies.
What outdoor activities can you do while camping in Clarkia, Idaho?
The Clarkia area offers excellent fishing opportunities in the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, where locals have been enjoying the waters for generations. At Bumblebee Campground, you can fish directly in the creek adjacent to most campsites. The region is perfect for hiking through Idaho's beautiful forests, mountain biking on numerous trails, and wildlife viewing. Water activities are popular at Dworshak State Park, where you can enjoy boating, fishing, and exploring mini-camp sites along the reservoir. Many visitors also come to hunt for star garnets at nearby Emerald Creek, a rare geological treasure found in only two places worldwide.
What amenities are available at Emerald Creek Campground near Clarkia?
While specific amenities at Emerald Creek Campground aren't directly detailed in reviews, nearby campgrounds offer similar facilities. Deyo Reservoir near Pierce provides camping areas with some sites that are more private than others, particularly those away from the open West sites. For full amenities, consider Albert's Landing on the North Fork of the CDA River, which offers 60+ sites with water, 30/50 amp electrical service, level gravel pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Most campgrounds in the region typically include basic amenities like pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, with varying levels of privacy among the forested sites.
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