Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

Great location just off the highway. Stayed here for one night on our way to Missoula. River located just down a cliff along the campsite. When we were here is was roaring and you would probably want to be careful with kids and pets. Very quite with little to no traffic in the campground as well as the highway during our stay. Some spots were a little muddy due to rain for the past couple days. Didn't use the restrooms while we were here so unsure how clean those were but a couple people stopped by on the drive to use them. Would definitly stay here again.

This is 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.

They do allow pets! They have all the amenities you hope a RV Park has. We came up here to gem hunt. But I know other forms of hunting are also popular here 😉.

You also don’t loose the camping feels here. How? Fire rings.

Camping is just not the same without the ability to have a fire. Even when camping in an RV for local attractions over the “camping experience” it’s always a HUGE plus (to me anyways) to be able to watch flames for a few hours while having a few drinks.

Also visit the Pie Safe! You won’t regret it.

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.

This campground is AT the rest stop. It's a bit different. If travelers knew about it they would stop and go into the campground for a picnic lunch and it is great to let the dogs walk in the woods, but no one ever does that because they do not realize the National Forest Campground is there... They stop at the rest stop (new redone) and move on. 

Hardly anyone goes there on loop G. The other Clark Fork side gets some weekenders.  The other loops are on the other side of the highway accessible by a tunnel under the highway and one loop was deactivated a few years ago because of a lack of traffic. One side is right above the Clark Fork River. The other Loop G is on the other side of the highway and has one set of "real toilets" a potable and non-potable/dump water station for filling water tanks and rinsing tanks AND its a nice free dump station. Sites are smaller being built back in the 60's I'm thinking in G, but a few drive throughs on the other side by the river. It's 35 minutes north of Missoula MT. It is Close to trails has a half mile nature trail onsite and river access is close by... If you are traveling, need a really nice campground with few people in the woods, and inexpensive, this is the place... Coming to fish, do some kayaking or rafting on Clark Fork Check. 

There is some road noise and on Loop G the occasional train next to the campground. The Clark Fork side doesn't have the train but seem louder closer to the road. That does not bother us so no big deal there. All sites are wooded...

So, I’m not sure why “resort” is in the title, this certainly not a resort in the traditional sense. But, this is a great place to stop if headed up the Lochsa River and has something for everyone.

The “resort” has riverfront cabins, double occupancy motel rooms, A frame cabins, RV spots with hookups and a large tent camping area for motorcyclists, bicyclists and hikers. The mix of campers makes thing interesting. 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. It has been very busy every time I have stopped, often full of RV’s with families spending a long weekend.

There is a small market, restaurant and bar, and an outdoor pool and hot tub. The market is well stocked with most of what you might have forgot to pack. They sell firewood as well. The bar offers typical burgers and bar fare and was lively enough even in peak Covid. This is Idaho after all, Covid seems like an afterthought in most of central and North Idaho.

The resort is located along a sweeping bend of the Lochsa river, which the highway follows on the opposite side. With the proximity of the highway, the RV’s in the campground, the cabins, etc, this is not a tranquil wilderness campground. It is however a great spot to spend the night while passing through.

I was on a motorcycle and there were probably 8-10 other riders tent camping. Several fires were going and folks were friendly and outgoing. There was no cell service for AT&T, but the market and bar had WiFi that you could access by sitting outside the front door.

I’ve stayed here 3 times and it will always be on my list when passing through this part of Idaho.

We were riding the Idaho BDR (Backcountry Discovery Route) and needed a place to camp near Pierce.  There aren't many options that are accessible for our Support Truck but found Deyo Reservoir as a welcome spot.   The West sites are very open and close to each other and are what you see first.  I kinda stumbled down to the East Campground which is more for Truck/Tent camping and is wooded and cooler (it was 95 degrees when we rode in).  Typical for Idaho the sites were nicely spaced, well maintained (it is hosted) and the Vault Toilet was very clean.