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Best Dispersed Camping near St. Maries, ID

31 Reviews

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.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near St. Maries, Idaho (18)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near St. Maries, ID

24 Photos of 18 St. Maries Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near St. Maries, ID

31 Reviews of 18 St. Maries Campgrounds

  • Kaitlin K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    Buggy but Beautiful

    We were able to get our fifth wheel (40ft long, 13 1/2 ft tall) in and out easy! Lots of spaces and places to turn around. After crossing the bike path, take the first right onto the dirt road at the sportsmans access sign (parallel to the small paved parking lot.) Like another said, the best spot is past the first circular area. Keep going down the road and you’ll see a big shady area in the trees. (You can go further along to two more sites more suited for smaller pop-up campers, tents, or vans.) Close to the water so of course, there were some bugs: lots of bees and mosquitoes.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2024

    Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed

    Great location near the Hiawatha trail

    This is primitive off grid camping. No services, no water, no tables, just a bathroom in a field with a few campsites around it near the creek. Great location to stay if you're doing the Hiawatha trail and want to camp in the area. The busses picking up hiawatha trail users go right by the campground multiple times a day in the summer.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2024

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    Very good camping

    Went with the family in mid May on a perfect weekend weather-wise. 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 tree. The best site there imo. privacy, lots of trees so the site gets a good amount of shade but sun still pokes through, perfect. 

    Mosquitos weren't so bad that it affected us but we all had a few bites. My only knock on this site, which isn't much, is that you can see homes from the sites. What can I say I like to feel like I am far from everyone. 

    Good site to camp for a family.

  • William P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 22, 2025

    Rose Lake

    Great location for a stopover

    I spent 1 night here on my way to Coeur d’Alene. I might spend a couple more! Great elevated views of Rose Lake through the trees at the boat ramp. Several fishermen loading up after a day on the lake. A little noisy, but not distracting.

    There is a vault toilet with its own parking space. I van camped there. Above me were 2 parking lots where 2-3 other campers were. Plenty of room to spread out and have decent privacy.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2021

    Stevens Lakes Backcountry

    Beautiful hike with breathtaking views!

    By far one of my favorite Mt lake hikes! With great camping at both the lower and upper lakes, I recommend using the trails app to help navigate through the switch backs, and have lots of water! Me and my friends stayed at the lower lake, both hammock and tent camping.

  • Brian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2020

    Bonnie Lake Island

    Bonnie Lake Island. Boat in island campsite in scab-land canyon lake

    This is a primitive site on an island in Bonnie Lake in Eastern Washington. Bonnie lake is a canyon lake, about 4 miles long and narrow. The island and surrounding sq. mile of land is owned by the BLM. Access is by paddling up Rock Creek about a mile and another 1/2 mile paddle up the lake. The creek can be seasonally shallow and you'll have to portage across at least one beaver dam. The island is rocky and brushy with enough flat spaces for a tent or two and trees for hammocks. The steep canyon walls provide a stage for coyotes to sing back and forth. Please use sanitary bags to pack out your waste (poop). The island's soil isn't deep enough for proper burial.

    There is a spit of land on shore where you can camp too, but I've not done that.

  • Jess G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2019

    Rose Lake

    Boat access

    Nice little loop camp ground, 3 sites that were pretty spacious all include a fire ring and picnic table. Free camping for up to 3 days. Right on the lake! Nice dock to go out to fish on as well. 1 vault toilet. Nice big parking lot for boats and trailers! Right off of i90.

  • PJ M.
    Jul. 8, 2023

    Bull Run Access Dispersed

    Nice 3 Day Option

    Hwy 3 > Cross the 1 lane bridge called "South Bull Run Rd" > continue to the right past a few houses until you reach Coeur d'alene Trail access parking area > cross over trail and continue down parallel West Bull Run rd

    4 spots that I found.  One is a large loop with fire pits already setup (where I stayed).  There's one back-in that used to be a 2 track trail next to a small pond, another pull-through loop next to the main sign, and one more site down the road towards the forest.

    You're really close to highway 3 so there's road noise from that.  More common actually was the sound of boats going down the Coeur d'Alene river which is even closer.  There's another camping area across the river (which is apparently contaminated with toxic materials from mining lol).  I was here during 4th of July so people were lighting off fire crackers there as you'd expect.

    Overall it's a very beautiful spot, with multiple small lakes, deer grazing around, and plenty of wildflowers.

    Had no issue with my 25ft trailer as the road was in good shape.  Larger rigs would probably be okay too, but I'd scout it out.

    This is Idaho Fish and Wildlife property and has a 3-day maximum stay.

  • Megan K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Horse Camp Trailhead

    Fun Quick Trip Spot

    While this is not my favorite spot, it’s very close to where I live. This is my go to spot when I just want to get a quick overnight camp in. I will be returning here soon and will take photos to share.

    Depending on the time of year it can be loud as motorists past. However, I have wondered into it wilderness to camp farther away from the trail.

    The coordinates from this listing are incorrect and take you down the wrong road.

    Laird Park is just down the road and you can get to nice river areas from both campsites. If you can’t get a spot here you can always try down by Laird as a backup.

Guide to St. Maries

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near St. Maries, Idaho, where nature's tranquility meets the freedom of the outdoors. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can enjoy stunning landscapes and peaceful surroundings.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near St. Maries

  • Enjoy fishing and kayaking at Rose Lake, where the serene waters provide a perfect backdrop for a day on the lake.
  • Explore hiking trails around Donkey Creek Campground, which offers access to beautiful views and the sound of rushing rapids.
  • Experience wildlife watching at Bull Run Access Dispersed, where you might spot deer and other animals in their natural habitat.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Donkey Creek Campground

  • This area features a vault toilet and fire rings, making it a convenient spot for those looking to enjoy nature without sacrificing too much comfort.
  • Located near Marble Creek, Donkey Creek Campground is ideal for those who appreciate the sound of flowing water while camping.
  • The campground is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out site, encouraging responsible camping practices and preserving the natural beauty of the area.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near St. Maries, Idaho

  • When visiting Hawkeye Campground, arrive early to secure a good spot, as it can get busy during peak seasons.
  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities at Lakes Divide Road, which means bringing your own water and supplies is essential for a comfortable stay.
  • If you're looking for a secluded experience, consider Stevens Lakes Backcountry, where hiking in leads to breathtaking views and a peaceful atmosphere away from the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around St. Maries?

Dispersed camping around St. Maries is primarily primitive with minimal amenities. Cliff Creek Campground Primitive Dispersed offers basic vault toilets near the creek but no water, tables, or other services - just open spaces for camping. Similarly, Rose Lake provides vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables at its sites, plus a dock for fishing and a large parking area for boats and trailers. Most dispersed sites in the area feature natural clearings for tents or vehicles and sometimes established fire rings, but you'll need to bring your own water, toilet supplies, and all other necessities for self-sufficient camping.

Where can I find dispersed camping near St. Maries, Idaho?

Several excellent dispersed camping options exist near St. Maries. Bull Run Access Dispersed offers multiple camping spots with room for large rigs - take South Bull Run Road, cross over the Coeur d'Alene Trail access, and continue down West Bull Run Road to find several spots with established fire pits. For secluded camping along a creek, Big Creek, Calder, Idaho provides peaceful sites between established campgrounds on Big Creek Road that are perfect for off-grid camping and fly fishing. Other options include Saint Joe National Forest dispersed areas, where free camping is generally available throughout the forest on public lands.

When is the best season for dispersed camping in St. Maries, Idaho?

Late spring through early fall (mid-May to October) offers the best conditions for dispersed camping around St. Maries. Stevens Lakes Backcountry is a favorite during summer months when the mountain lake hikes are accessible and both lower and upper lakes provide excellent camping spots. For paddlers, Bonnie Lake Island is ideal during the warmer months when you can access this primitive BLM site by paddling up Rock Creek. Weather is typically mild during summer, with perfect conditions often found in May and September when crowds are smaller but temperatures remain comfortable. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to snow and cold temperatures.

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