Searching for a tent campsite near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests? Finding a place to camp in Idaho with your tent has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Idaho camping adventure.
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.
This facility is no longer reservable.
A primitive single lane road situated atop the ridgeline with spectacular panoramic views to the south of Orogrande drainage and to the north towards Chateau Rock. Some dispersed camping is available along the trail. Here's a link to a map of the trails and more information about the area.
Only 30 minutes southeast of the town of Pierce in north central Idaho, visitors will find Musselshell Meadows. Home to beautiful and rare wildlife, dense forests, eye catching scenery, and interpretation explaining the significance of the area. OHV trail riding, hiking, fishing, hunting, scenic driving, horse trail riding, wildlife viewing and for the winter sports enthusiasts, cross country skiing and snowmobiling, are only a few of the fun memory making adventures awaiting you at Musselshell Meadows--and with parking for several vehicles provided, you can bring the whole family!
Weitas Guard Station is a remote guard station staffed with volunteers for part of the year.
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.
Guide
Beautiful spot and the river there. Huge Cedar trees kinda hidden off the road.
TravelerWe camped along a lovely creek, we were hyper aware of the fact that we were in bear country but we didn't seeing any traces of them. We didn't have any phone service and were very far away from any civilization, which made us uneasy, but if that's your thing, then this is the perfect place for you! No one traveled the gravel road while we were there.
Ranger
Small spots by Aquarius rapid. She’s a class III wave train and the sounds sent me to peaceful sleep. In high water some of the spots may be inaccessible, however there are other campgrounds nearby if it doesn’t work. Do not recommend large rigs in here, it would be hard to turn around if the campground is full, again better options up or down river.
Ranger
Nice campground along the North Fork of the Clearwater. There are stairs by one of the vault toilets to walk down to the water but be careful, it is cold and fast! Several riverside spots including one group site as well as shady groves. Water was shut off when we were there June 2024; unknown when it will be back on.
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.
Legend
We stayed 2 nights at this USFS campground as it was quiet and we had a campsite right along the Lochsa River. The sites were spacious and our paved site #2 was level. The cost was $14 per night. There was water available plus picnic table and barbecue. The vault toilet was across the paved road. This was one of our favorite campgrounds just to relax and enjoy the river.
Legend
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.
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 place to camp on the river. Has a small beach area you can relax at. Starlink wouldn’t work great with the trees here.
RangerNice little campground some spots right on the river. Tucked in a little so has a little privacy. Not busy at all.
RangerSeveral spots right on the river. Nice quiet across the bridge so a little ways away from the road. Several spots to camp and accessible to bigger campers.
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...
Traveler
Great into the woods with paved back in spots. Very nice and clean.
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.
Traveler
Our group stayed in the cabin, but hoping to come back for tent camping in warmer months
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)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests is Campbells Pond Access Area with a 3.7-star rating from 3 reviews.
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