Looking for the best options for camping with dogs near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests? Finding a place to camp in Idaho with your dog is easier than ever. These scenic and easy-to-reach Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests campsites are perfect for camping with dogs.
Wilderness Gateway Campground provides direct access to the Wild and Scenic Lochsa River. Visitors enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities, including world famous whitewater rafting. Hiking and horseback riding trails abound in the nearby Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area, which is the 3rd-largest in the lower 48 United States. This large and unique campground offers respite for a variety of campers, including those with horses, horse trailers and RVs.
The Lochsa River is world famous for its exciting whitewater rafting opportunities. Visitors do not need a permit to float the Lochsa, but technical expertise is a must. The river is also a destination fly fishing experience for cutthroat and rainbow trout, chinook salmon and steelhead. There are a number of river access points near the campground, along Highway 12. Highway 12, also known as the Lewis and Clark Highway, winds along the narrow river canyon through evergreen trees and large rock outcroppings. Visitors to the area enjoy the scenic drive and historic sites along the way. Elk, deer, moose, bear, cougar and mountain goats make the steep canyon country their home, as well as other wildlife. A variety of birds are also active in the area. Boulder Creek cascades down into the campground on its descent from the neighboring 1.5-million acre Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area. Several trails head into the wilderness from the campground, including the 15-mile Lochsa Peak Trail and the 27-mile Boulder Creek Trail. A 1-mile birding trail loops around the campground and the half-mile Downriver Trail leads to a scenic river overlook. All trails are open to hiking and the wilderness trails are also open to horseback riding. The Lochsa Historical Ranger Station, a living history visitor center, is located one mile southwest of the campground.
The campground is located in heavily wooded forest in north-central Idaho at an elevation of 2,100 feet. It is adjacent to the Lochsa River. Lochsa is a Nez Perce word meaning "rough water." The 70-mile river and its tributaries have no dams and flow is unregulated from its headwaters near the Powell Ranger Station in the Bitterroots, to Lowell, where it joins the Selway River to form the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River. The Lochsa is one of the world's best for continuous whitewater.
*1 hour from access to the National Historic Lolo Trail Corridor *1 mile from the Lochsa Historical Ranger Station and Visitor Center
For facility specific information, please call (208) 942-3113.
$14 - $280 / night
Currently the forest is open to dispersed camping in most areas. Limited motorized access for dispersed camping or parking may be allowed from the centerline of designated roads (300 feet) and designated trails (100 feet).
Camping in dispersed sites is limited to a total of 18 days of use. Camps must be moved to a minimum of 5 miles from the original site to qualify for a new 18-day limit; camps cannot be returned to the original sites within 45 days [36 CFR 261.58(a)].
A few rules may be posted on campgrounds or at popular dispersed sites. The rules are meant to protect the site and the environment and to help you enjoy your camping trip.
n 1922, the Schmidt Brothers Mill constructed a sawmill and logging operation to take advantage of the wealth of timber in the area. This multi acre site incorporated homes for roughly 20 families, a mill office, a post office, cook shack, bunk house for single men, gas pump house, public well house and other small buildings, besides large lumber drying area. The mill ran continuously on this site for 50 years. For the past 40 years, it has remained as wetland and pasture land until the Mary Lou Deyo Family generously donated this land. The Deyo Dam was finished in 2011, creating the 55 acre reservoir, and the campground was finished in 2013.
Deyo Campground is closed for the 2022 camping season. It will be open for reservations starting April 1, 2023 for the camping season starting May 1, 2023 !
Deyo Reservoir and Campground – 803 Schmidt Mill Rd Weippe, ID Family Friendly Fishing: Trout, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass Wheel chair accessible docks. ADA Vault Bathrooms. West Camp Ground includes Water/Electric -$20.00/night East Camp Ground No Hookups- $10.00/night 1 Trailer and 1 tent (for children) per site, additional are $10 per tent/trailer
Like us on Facebook for more current info and photos.
Please call the Deyo Campground at 208-435-4406 M-F 10am – 5pm to mark your date for the Deyo Pavilion.
$10 - $20 / night
Located in northern Idaho's beautiful Clearwater Valley, Dent acres Campground on Dworshak Lake is surrounded by forests and abundant wildlife. Dworshak Lake is 54 miles long, hosts kokanee salmon, rainbow trout and small mouth bass fishing. It has excellent boating, water skiing and hunting opportunities.
Dent Acres is an excellent location for boaters, fishermen, hunters, hikers, wildlife watching, as well as quiet relaxation. There is a boat ramp for access to the reservoir, multiple trails for hiking, and thousands of surrounding acres of public lands for the hunter.
Dworshak Reservoir is surrounded by steep forested, mountainous country. Numerous small creeks feed the reservoir.
For facility specific information, please call (208) 476-1255.
-Dent Bridge, which spans Dworshak Reservoir, is approximately one mile east of Dent Acres and is the largest cable suspension bridge in the state of Idaho. -Dworshak Dam and Visitor Center -Dworshak Hatchery -Clearwater National Forest -Clearwater Historical Society and Museum - Weippe Discovery Center -Canoe Camp -Nez Perce (National Park site at Spalding) -Orofino Chamber of Commerce
$40 / night
Located along the breathtaking Wild and Scenic Lochsa River, about fifteen minutes east of Lowell, ID, families, campers, anglers, kayakers, floaters and boaters may enjoy this five unit, two acre, free-use campground and Lochsa river/boat access site. A changing room and a single vault restroom is also provided. The Campground will accomodate 40-ft. RV's.
Sleeping up to four guests, equipped with woodstove and propane heater, this historic lookout was originally constructed in 1931, and the timbered structure visitors see today was constructed in 1953. Weitas Butte Lookout is positioned along the the famous and historic Lolo Motorway just 3 miles north of Rocky Ridge Lake. It's remote and peaceful location along the Nez Perce and Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and its sweeping vistas of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness makes this lookout an ideal location to spend a unique night or two.
Weitas Campground is a very popular, no fee campground that’s located about 35 miles northeast of Pierce, just off Forest Service road [FSR] 250. Much of the campground’s appeal comes from its location along the shady banks of Weitas Creek, just south of the North Fork of the Clearwater River (you cross a bridge to reach the campground.) There are only six campsites, so Weitas Campground tends to fill quickly during the height of the summer recreation season. Trail #20 runs south, and then east, out of the campground, providing miles of first-class bank fishing opportunities. The trail eventually junctions with FSR 500, the Lolo Motorway.
Canyon Creek offers 17 primitive sites (no electricity or water) with fire rings, picnic tables and a tent pad in a wooded setting located on the reservoir. Canyon Creek has one boat launch with a dock, two restrooms, “Pack It In-Pack It Out” bags, and a trail. Swimming is allowed at the boat ramp. Canyon Creek is the perfect place to camp with well shaded sites. Canyon Creek is a “Pack It In-Pack It Out” area there are no dumpsters or garbage cans available for use. Please help keep the park clean by taking your trash with you when you leave.
Currently the forest is open to dispersed camping in most areas. Limited motorized access for dispersed camping or parking may be allowed from the centerline of designated roads (300 feet) and designated trails (100 feet).
Camping in dispersed sites is limited to a total of 18 days use. Camps must be moved to a minimum of 5 miles from the original site to qualify for a new 18-day limit; camps cannot be returned to the original sites within 45 days [36 CFR 261.58(a)].
A few rules may be posted in campgrounds or at popular dispersed sites. The rules are meant to protect the site and the environment and to help you enjoy your camping trip.
Traveler
No one is here on a beautiful October long weekend Saturday. I can see why. The reservoir level is way down! Just getting to the water is a challenge. Maybe this was nice years ago but it’s a good ways out from Orfino. Not worth the drive.
Guide
Great hidden gem off 12. It has enough spots to accommodate 5-6 campers. We had no issues on a Sunday night. Very peaceful next to the river.
Traveler
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.
TravelerTook about an hour to get to our campsite, but was so worth it. Was a creek at the top of a mountain in the middle, I guess hence the name. Local had wondered how we found his special fishing spot. Was a place to swim, but we did not get in. Such a beautiful view and lots of nature to see.
Ranger
More of a primitive type of campground, although there are vault toilets. Plenty of spaces along the river; however there is a river take out that may be used to back trailers up to, so the flat spots across from it may not be ideal.
Ranger
Great sites big enough to back a trailer in. Sites are close but feel secluded with trees and ferns. Running water was a bonus, after rafting for a week it felt luxurious!
Scout
They cut all the trees down some years ago and then closed it.
I passed by last year and still closed.
Raise the prices and close our swell campgrounds.
Way to go!
Whoever...Arrg matey..Keel haul them in 10' of water, salt of course..
Oh well.......................(:+(......................
Guide
Level pull through sites. A little close together if full. Water and Electric. Staff friendly and helpful. Only bathroom open was a bit of a walk. Bathrooms were a rustic motif, clean, Hot showers.
Scout
Tried to find Porters Camp. It us not in the Pines subdivision as on the map. According to locals, it is owned by Potlatch and not available to the public. It was a logging camp.
RangerNice little campground some spots right on the river. Tucked in a little so has a little privacy. Not busy at all.
Scout
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...
GuideMy site was gorgeous, looking out over the lake! The Campground was very clean and quiet. Vault toilet was well maintained. Swimming in the lake at the foot of a mountain was sublime.
Scout
Beautiful view, super friendly staff, and very convenient location. Just a tiny bit off the highway, easy to access pull-through sites, and very affordable! Super clean and well kept.
GuideAttended a motorcycle rally here a couple times. Not really my type of camping.
TravelerMe and some buddies went for a weekend and there was only 1 other couple there the whole time. Super quiet, you feel like you’re alone from the rest of the world. Super relaxed. There’s a toilet on site.
TravelerGreat little campsite with the roar of the river.
Found it by accident a few years back. It sits above the Lochsa River, just north and west of the Wilderness Gateway Campground.
Both campgrounds are great, but this one is a little more rustic and provides easier access from the highway for camp trailers and stock trailers.
Have to look carefully because it is easy to miss: not well marked...
Traveler
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)
LegendThis campground was a nice surprise, right off the highway. Lots of tall ponderosa pines, but also plenty of sun to put the solar panels out for charging.
No hook-ups, but lots of water fill stations and picnic tables at each site. Plenty of Verizon bars to work. I believe there was a dump station.
Nice size, paved sites. Level.
Nice camp hosts. A short hike right off the campground and the river was running pretty fast down below. You could see the river, but don't think you can access it from the campground.
Definitely worth a stop for a weary traveler!
GuideThis was our second time camping here with a different spot and perspective! We stayed in number #11 at the back near the trail path! We caught lots of bluegill, trout but no bass!
Traveler
36 miles from Grangeville, and its got some elevation and it can get cold at night if in a tent. But the days are gorgeous there are alot of ORVs during the weekend but during the week its quiet. We found a place off the road next to a creek and away from the road. It was amazing.
GuideThis is a nice very small campground with a very nice host family! Lots of docks for fishing in both the east and west campgrounds! Some docks are easier than others to access! None are handicap assessable! There is a small beach near the launch ramp! We enjoy this little reservoir often!!
Traveler
There was a cow moose feeding in the lake when we were there. She would stomp around up to her neck in the lake, then eat the plants that would float to the surface.
RangerLots of places and plenty of room for horses.
RangerMostly RVs at this campsite, 6 tent sites none were taken when we got there. Fairly clean bathrooms with showers. Across the road from Clearwater River. They did overcharge for laundry machines. Waiting to see if that gets corrected.
GuideWe had a wonderful time!! People are so friendly!! Nice shade trees all over, pool was great! Bathrooms where clean!!
GuideVery quiet, overlooking the lake. Clean vault toilets. Boat ramp. 4 miles of rough gravel road with tight turns.
LegendClosed for the 2022 season
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is Wilderness Gateway with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests?
TheDyrt.com has all 59 dog-friendly camping locations near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, with real photos and reviews from campers.
