Best Campgrounds near Kooskia, ID

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Kooskia. Kooskia is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Kooskia. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Kooskia, Idaho (172)

    1. Kamiah/Clearwater River KOA

    4 Reviews
    Kooskia, MT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 935-2556

    $40 - $60 / night

    "Only bathroom open was a bit of a walk. Bathrooms were a rustic motif, clean, Hot showers."

    2. Long Camp RV Park

    1 Review
    Kooskia, ID
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 935-7922

    3. Deyo Reservoir

    7 Reviews
    Weippe, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 435-4406

    $10 - $20 / night

    "We were riding the Idaho BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) and needed a place to camp near Pierce.  "

    "We stayed in number #11 at the back near the trail path! We caught lots of bluegill, trout but no bass!"

    4. River Junction RV Park

    1 Review
    Kooskia, ID
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (208) 926-7865

    "It's a small campground near the tiny town of Kooskia. We stayed here to be close to the part of the South Fork of the Clearwater River which is known for it's Steelhead Run."

    5. Lolo Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Weippe, ID
    15 miles
    Website

    "We come to this area every summer around the time of logging sport competitions, and we opted to stay here after a few years of staying closer to town with a not so great camping experience."

    "Awesome little camp along Lolo creek great fishing access all around"

    6. Three Rivers Resort & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Kooskia, ID
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 926-4430

    $15 - $165 / night

    "Add to this that the river raft guides take out at this location and this is a busy and fun place to spend a night."

    "We needed an rv spot for the night on our way to McCall Idaho. Booking was straightforward, Checking easy and was As Described."

    7. Wild Goose Campground

    3 Reviews
    Kooskia, ID
    17 miles
    Website

    "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."

    8. Ohara Bar Campground

    6 Reviews
    Elk City, ID
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 926-4258

    $14 / night

    "The Selway is one of the most beautiful places in Idaho, and this campground is a good place to stay on your visit!"

    "Beautiful, quiet area, camps spots are spacious and well distanced. Dogs allowed, bathrooms were nice and clean, easy access to the river. For how popular it was, it was a nice quiet stay."

    9. Bear Den RV Resort

    2 Reviews
    Grangeville, ID
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 983-0140

    "We stayed here one night while on a road trip in Idaho. The park and facilities are extremely clean and have good amenities, like laundry and showers. Sunsets are great from this location!"

    "Campground is located a mile outside of town. Friendly staff and nicely maintained campground. There are a few small trees but mostly in the sun. Sites are close together."

    10. Fraser Park

    2 Reviews
    Weippe, ID
    18 miles

    "This camp has a baseball diamond next to it a great place to camp and have a big gathering with fun activities"

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Recent Reviews near Kooskia, ID

218 Reviews of 172 Kooskia Campgrounds


  • Rich J.
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Winchester Lake State Park Campground

    Great

    We stayed in the campground with hookups.....Camas loop. Generally large, separated sites with picnic tables and firepits. Forest setting throughout. There are a few sites that aren't great, but the longer length ones are best. Facilities are clean. Lots of trails, picnic areas, and boat docks. Didn't fish, but lots of people were.

  • Devon C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Elk River

    ELK RIVER IDAHO

    Many free dispersed camping site for several miles. There is also low cost Campgrounds available as well. There is a small local store nearby. Dump site on edge of town with trash available. Many recreational activities too.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Three Rivers Resort & Campground

    Great overnight stay

    We needed an rv spot for the night on our way to McCall Idaho. Booking was straightforward, Checking easy and was As Described. The hamburgers at the restaurant were perfect for our tastebuds after a long day on the road. Lack of black water Capability was not an issue in our case and if needed there was a dump station on site. Ongoing renovation was apparent and good to see.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    McKay's Bend Recreation Site

    Great Park especially for the Price

    Full hookups bathroom and showers. In a canyon on river. Number 8 has river view but not much shade. Other sites with much shade.

  • mike L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    McKay's Bend Recreation Site

    Easy to camp here

    This campground is just off Highway 12 in Western Idaho and very convenient. It’s a little close to the road but the traffic seems to be pretty quiet at 8:30 at night. It’s right by the river, which is very nice and it seems like there is good fishing in this river so that may be a plus. I do recommend this campground.

  • D
    Aug. 8, 2025

    McKay's Bend Recreation Site

    Norm is a great host

    Beautiful, well kept grounds. If you have a seniors America The Beautiful pass, $9 gets you full hookups, showers and toilets. Short drive to town. Norm (host) is awesome and full of knowledge. Nice fishing river on the Northern side of the camp. Will come back.

  • Lorraine C.
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Deyo Reservoir

    nice but the other people were up loud till 2 am, is there a 10 pm quiet?

    dont we will stay there again because of this

  • Stacey G.
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Dam View - Dworshak Reservoir

    Enjoyed paved level site

    Spent a couple of days. The visitor center was full of history.

  • B
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Ohara Bar Campground

    Great spot on the River

    Came in on a Tuesday night, still several spots available and found one on the river. Quiet, clean and very pretty. Campground is over the bridge, across the river if you are coming from the ranger station


Guide to Kooskia

Camping near Kooskia, Idaho, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to fish, hike, or just relax by the water, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes and rivers. One reviewer at Ohara Bar Campground mentioned, "The river is wide here, with a relatively slower current. If you're here to float the river, this is a perfect pull out/put in spot."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. A visitor at Wilderness Gateway shared, "Awesome place for hikes and hot springs. Also dog friendly everywhere we went."
  • Swimming: Some campgrounds have access to swimming areas. A camper at Freeman Creek Campground noted, "The play area was pleasant. I heard that this year (2021) was a bit more run down than usual so maybe next year it'll improve??? We still enjoyed the water and had a ton of fun finding tadpoles."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A reviewer at Dent Acres said, "The restrooms are very clean with only 2 showers! It can get a little annoying waiting in line to shower!"
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. One visitor at Canyon Creek mentioned, "My site was gorgeous, looking out over the lake! The Campground was very clean and quiet."
  • Natural Beauty: The scenery is a big draw. A camper at Knife Edge Campground remarked, "Such beautiful area lots of trees and river fun at this camp."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain facilities. A visitor at Deyo Reservoir pointed out, "There is very little cell service and reservations are required."
  • Road Conditions: Access roads can be rough. A camper at Freeman Creek Campground warned, "The road is a test for your engine and brakes, but once you arrive it is a quiet peaceful park with great water access."
  • Wildlife: Be cautious of local wildlife. A reviewer at Ohara Bar Campground noted, "Like much of central Idaho, the wildlife includes black bears and rattlesnakes, so remember to be cautious and aware of our wilder friends!"

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with play areas. A visitor at Freeman Creek Campground mentioned, "Sweet little nature trails were pretty and easy for smaller children to walk through."
  • Safety First: Always supervise kids near water. A camper at Canyon Creek said, "Swimming in the lake at the foot of a mountain was sublime."
  • Plan for No Cell Service: Be ready to unplug. A family at Wilderness Gateway noted, "NO CELL SERVICE. You just have to be present with one another."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your campground has the right hookups. A reviewer at Dent Acres mentioned, "All campsites are pull through, and have RV hookups."
  • Road Access: Be aware of road conditions for larger vehicles. A camper at Hammer Creek Recreation Site said, "Nice clean campsites. Boat and vehicle access."
  • Reservations Recommended: Some spots fill up quickly. A visitor at Ohara Bar Campground advised, "For how popular it was, it was a nice quiet stay. Easy to reserve a camp spot."

Camping near Kooskia, Idaho, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there free or dispersed camping available near Kooskia?

Yes, free camping options exist near Kooskia. Wild Goose Campground off Highway 12 offers scenic riverside sites with minimal facilities and is often free or low-cost. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest surrounding Kooskia permits dispersed camping on most Forest Service lands, where you can camp for free with a 14-day stay limit. Look for pullouts along Forest Service roads. For those willing to drive a bit further, Adams Ranger Station provides a beautiful mountain setting. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles and check for seasonal fire restrictions before setting up camp.

What are the campgrounds near Kooskia, Idaho?

Kooskia offers several camping options along the scenic Highway 12 corridor. Knife Edge Campground is located right off Highway 12 with about 6 sites, vault toilets, and Lochsa River access. River Junction RV Park is a small campground in town, popular with anglers targeting the South Fork of the Clearwater River's steelhead run. Other nearby options include Wild Goose Campground along the river, Three Rivers Resort & Campground with various accommodation types, and McKay's Bend Recreation Site just off Highway 12. The surrounding Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest also offers additional camping opportunities.

How do I navigate to camping areas around Kooskia?

Most campgrounds around Kooskia are easily accessible from Highway 12, which runs through town. McKay's Bend Recreation Site is located 18 miles east of Lewiston at mile post 18.6 on Highway 12 with clear highway signage. For Three Rivers Resort & Campground, follow Highway 12 up the Lochsa River. Most public campgrounds have roadside signage indicating turnoffs. Forest Service roads branching from Highway 12 lead to more remote sites. Cell service can be spotty in the area, so download offline maps before traveling. For campgrounds on Dworshak Reservoir like Freeman Creek, take Highway 12 to Orofino and follow signs to the reservoir.