Best RV Parks & Resorts near Clearwater National Forest

Several RV-friendly sites dot the forested landscape of Clearwater National Forest. Boyd Creek Campground accommodates RVs with water hookups, picnic tables and trash service on drive-in sites. Knife Edge Campground offers larger parking areas with multiple pull-through RV pads that can fit various vehicle sizes. According to one visitor, the campground "has huge spaces that will fit your 40 ft RV" and provides fire rings with cooking grates at each site. Magruder Crossing and Selway Falls both accommodate recreational vehicles with toilet facilities, though neither offers electric or water hookups. Sam Billings Memorial Campground features big-rig friendly spaces with sites #1 and #2 specifically noted for accommodating larger vehicles.

Road access to many campgrounds includes gravel roads with potentially challenging conditions. The route to Race Creek involves "about an hour drive down a gravel road that is often pretty rough driving" with areas described as "a pothole mine field where at times, there's so many it's impossible to miss them." Limited cell service exists throughout the region, with most parks operating seasonally. Dump stations are rare, though Three Rivers Resort includes one on-site. Most Forest Service campgrounds operate on a first-come basis with minimal amenities. For travelers seeking full hookup RV sites, commercial options like Three Rivers Resort provide more services. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with pets allowed at most locations. Visitors should check with ranger stations for current conditions before traveling with larger RVs.

Map showing campgrounds near Clearwater National Forest, Idaho

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Best RV Sites Near Clearwater National Forest (39)

1. Deep Creek
1 Review
Bitterroot National Forest, MT
22 miles
Website
+1 (406) 821-3269
2. Wendover Campground
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Shoup, ID
17 miles
Website

3. Magruder Crossing Campground
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Bitterroot National Forest, MT
21 miles
Website
+1 (406) 821-3913
4. Boyd Creek Campground
1 Review
Elk City, ID
39 miles
Website
+1 (208) 926-4258

5. Selway Falls Campground
2 Reviews
Elk City, ID
34 miles
Website
+1 (208) 926-4258
"The roads are not busy but it is a bumpy long drive to this area with 45 mins on gravel roads."
6. Paradise Campground
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Darby, MT
28 miles
Website

7. Sam Billings Memorial Campground
4 Reviews
Conner, MT
46 miles
Website
+1 (406) 821-3269
"Toilets are located across from site 3, between 5/6, across from 12. #7 is low ground camping you walk down to with minimal shade and perfect for hot weather days."
8. Knife Edge Campground
5 Reviews
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, ID
49 miles
Website
+1 (208) 926-4274
"Situated on the Lochsa River, right off US 12, a tiny US Forest Service campground: 5 or 6 wooded sites, firerings and picnic tables at each site. "

"About 5/6 campgrounds, 2 were occupied (quiet neighbors), but with enough trees to feel there was privacy. Vault toilet and Lochsa river access(rock bar), no garbage services this time of year."

9. Slate Creek
1 Review
Bitterroot National Forest, MT
42 miles
Website
+1 (406) 821-3269
"In expensive, clean and quiet. Great for 1 night. Well maintained."
10. Leggett Creek Campground
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Elk City, ID
30 miles
Website
+1 (208) 842-2245

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Recent RV Camping Photos near Clearwater National Forest

5 Photos of 39 Clearwater National Forest Campgrounds

RV Park Reviews near Clearwater National Forest

54 Reviews of 39 Clearwater National Forest Campgrounds

P
Patrick M.
Guide
Jul. 4, 2025
Knife Edge Campground
Idyllic location for a tiny public campground
Situated on the Lochsa River, right off US 12, a tiny US Forest Service campground: 5 or 6 wooded sites, firerings and picnic tables at each site. Early spring closure of all but two sites to accomodate boaters at the river access point, also part of the campground. Pull-through site 5 provides a perfect location next to the river. First come, first serve, and free.
Sadie P.
Ranger
Feb. 23, 2025
Sam Billings Memorial Campground
The best in SW Montana
12 sites with good tables and fire rings. This is a well maintained NFS campground. 3 vault toilets that are kept clean. Sites #1 & #2 get the most sun, are the largest, and can accommodate any size RV. The remaining sites vary in size. #2 can easily hold 5 full size trucks side by side, or three medium size trailers/5th wheels with their tow vehicles. It also has 3 large tables, plenty of open ground for tents, and is ideal for large groups and families. Toilets are located across from site 3, between 5/6, across from 12. #7 is low ground camping you walk down to with minimal shade and perfect for hot weather days.

The exit is at site 12, one way travel thru the campground. Across the street from the exit is the entry to sites 1-4 horse camping. Small sites with table, fire ring, and enough room for a small tent. There are 3 large metal structures with 3 chains each for horses and 2 horizontal tie out bars. No room to park horse trailers on that pull thru. One trailer spot across from site 4 by the “stock water trail” sign, the rest can park 50 yards down the road at the trail head/turn around. There are 2 additional tie out areas here for horses and plenty of room for horse trailers and several other vehicles.

Be sure to read the notice above the envelope box before you pay. From weather dependent dates chosen by the Rangers there is no cost from late Oct to late May. Otherwise it is $10 per night, $5 with golden or access passes.

No cell service, only 1 mile to the paved road, Ranger station is only about 1/2 mile down that paved road. The Rangers are proactive in sharing any important information such as severe weather, bear activity, or any other notable activity.

Details: Ranger station on the main road less than a mike from the entrance. They show up once a week Ravialli county sheriff is who to call on weekends and holidays, they will respond Be bear aware in season Equestrian specific campsites Trailhead next to the CG So much firewood laying around There are some karens that have been “coming here my whole life” and think they own the place; avoid Only three site requires walking access, the rest are drive right in to. Only a few sites so if its great weather or holiday show up mid week or even a week ahead if you can Free stays out of season, otherwise it’s a daily fee, pay at the entrance sign
T
Tom U.
Traveler
Aug. 9, 2020
Bear Creek Pass Campground
Semi-official dispersed camping at Bear Creek Pass
Bear Creek Pass Campground is semi-official dispersed camping at Bear Creek Pass, the location of two trail heads. I surveyed the site during a hike but did not stay over night.

There are two trail heads, about 1/2 mile apart. Between is a turn off for the“campground” which is little more than a pull out and a turn around. I didn’t see tent sites off the road. A little further on is a large parking area with vault toilet. A little beyond that a small parking area near the second trail head. Between these two is the one place that did look like a camp site. There was one fire ring and vegetation had been pressed down.

There are facilities for horses: several hitching posts and a loading ramp. These don’t look like they have been used for a while. We did see signs that horses were up here recently but the area is little impacted by horse use.

The area is in open pine forest with meadows. There is a stream flowing near by.

I would certainly sleep in my vehicle over night here or set up a tent. You can overnight here before starting on a hike from one of the trail heads. However, this site has little to recommend itself as a destination for an extended stay or overflow if nearby Schumaker is full.
L
Lauren
Guide
Oct. 30, 2022
Knife Edge Campground
Beautiful spot
Stayed one night 10/13/22. Pulled in at dark, just right off of the 12 in Kooskia, ID. About 5/6 campgrounds, 2 were occupied (quiet neighbors), but with enough trees to feel there was privacy. Vault toilet and Lochsa river access(rock bar), no garbage services this time of year. Saw a black bear (juvenile) on the way in but didn’t see/hear anything else from the bear that night or the next morning. Soft ground, and flat even spaces. Fire ring and picnic table as well. Free made it the perfect price, given that a lot of the state campsites were closed (locked gate) this time. Looked as though some campsites backed to the highway, we chose a middle site and weren’t too disturbed by the highway. (Tent camped on a road trip to the Midwest)
C
Celine K.
Ranger
Oct. 31, 2019
Ohara Bar Campground
Wild and scenic
The Selway is one of the most beautiful places in Idaho, and this campground is a good place to stay on your visit! There are plenty of sites (32) to stay at, however it can tend to get crowded, so I recommend reserving a spot ahead of time. The crowds are really the only downside to this site (if you prefer more quiet and privacy) but fortunately there are other sites along the river that are also great spots to camp. This campsites has plenty of amenities and many of the sites are pretty accessible. This is a great place for families, people with limited mobility, and the elderly to visit. There are vault toilets, potable water, and bear-proof dumpsters that serve the whole camp. Individual sites should all have tent spots, picnic tables, and a fire ring. The loop around the campsite is paved. Kids and families often ride their bikes around the loop. Like much of central Idaho, the wildlife includes black bears and rattlesnakes, so remember to be cautious and aware of our wilder friends! The area offers a great variety of recreation opportunities. Slower areas of the river offer great swimming, and the Lower Selway makes a great day trip on kayaks or rafts. There is lots of biking, hiking, and horseback riding along the river and through the mountains. Selway Falls are beautiful and a really fun stop.
Casey J.
Traveler
Aug. 11, 2018
Yellow Pine Campground
Quiet solitude with views
Dispersed camping in the Boise National Forest is top notch camping, for free. There are easy and well maintained roads to access the forest and camping, and in this campground, there were excellent stone fire rings. Several were already loaded with a free batch of locally felled firewood!
Christopher R.
Ranger
Jun. 17, 2018
Knife Edge Campground
Awesome place to stop and rest on your travels on hwy 12
This place has huge spaces that will fit your 40 ft RV or just a small tent river access and much more
Judy T.
Legend
Dec. 2, 2023
Wild Goose Campground
Small campground along Highway 12 and the Clearwater River
There aren’t too many campgrounds between Orofino and Kooskia, Idaho except for a few RV parks. We finally found a beautiful campground off highway 12 or the scenic Lolo Highway. It was small but had quite a few open sites so we snagged one close to the river and bathroom. The highway noise was noticeable but not bad at night. Our picnic table had a view of the Clearwater river (yes, it is very clear and has salmon.). There were steps down to the rocky shore of the river. We net a couple from elsewhere in Udaho who always choose this campground.
Courtney R.
Guide
Oct. 1, 2018
Big Creek — Payette National Forest
Wilderness Convinience
Big Creek Canpground is small but fire rings, firewood and picnic tables are provided. Confinement area for pilots and for those wanting to hike into the FCRNRW which is 2 miles down the road. Portable water available and a CTX toilet.