Best Dispersed Camping near St. Maries, ID
The St. Joe National Forest area near St. Maries offers several free dispersed camping options along forest roads and waterways. Bull Run Access provides the most developed dispersed sites, with locations suitable for various camping styles from tents to large RVs. The main camping area features a large loop with established fire pits, located past the one-lane bridge and Coeur d'Alene Trail access parking. As one camper noted, "If you drive past the first couple grass campsites and continue on the narrow road with water on both sides, just off to the right is a single secluded campsite amongst the trees."
Rose Lake offers boat access camping with several sites near the dock and lake shore. The area includes a vault toilet and gravel parking area, though campers report uneven terrain at most sites. Tingley Springs, Lakes Divide Road, and Copper Mountain Road provide more remote boondocking options with minimal amenities. Most dispersed sites in the region have a 3-day maximum stay limit, and many campers report abundant mosquitoes, particularly near water. Road conditions vary, but most access roads are navigable by standard vehicles in dry conditions, with some requiring higher clearance for the more remote sites.