Shadowy St. Joe Campground
Campground · 14 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
- 14
- Bookable sites
- up to 40
- People per site
- 2,142 ft
- Elevation
Overview
The Shadowy St. Joe Campground (CG) is located 10.6 miles from St. Maries Idaho up the St. Joe River on Forest Highway 50. It is at 2100 feet elevation and on a slack water section of the river. The campground includes convenient paved roadways and camping spurs, 13 camping units and one host site. During peak season, 7 sites will be available for reservations.
Recreation
The docks and boat ramp at Shadowy St. Joe CG allows for river access, fishing and swimming. Motorized boats can continue up the river to St. Joe City. The grassy landscape allows for relaxation in a peaceful setting.
Facilities
Day and overnight use. 14 fully accessible campsites with electrical hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Refuse receptacle provided, ample parking, convenient trailer space, potable piped water, boat launch, and a group picnic shelter. The day use picnic shelter has tables that can seat up to 40 people. The campground is 10.6 miles from a full service community of St. Maries (population 3000) where a hospital, gas, food and services can be found.
Natural Features
Camp sites are located in open, grassy areas with some fruit and ornamental shade trees. There is no beach but there are docks and a boat launch providing access to the river. The surrounding areas include private lands with open grassy areas. Herds of elk are often seen along the lower sections of the river.
Nearby Attractions
The St. Joe River is well known as a fishing destination. Thirty miles further up the river is the town of Avery where the St. Joe River becomes a designated Wild and Scenic River. The gateway town of Avery Idaho has a renovated railroad depot with a museum, post office and a railroad car from the historic Route of the Hiawatha, small store with gas and fast food, a restaurant with pizza, chicken and beer, a fly fisherman shop with fishing supplies, souvenirs, deli sandwiches and ice cream. The upper river provides white water rafting in the spring and the lower river provides rafting, drift boating, canoeing and inner tubing. At times in the spring, mountain goats can be seen along the river upriver from Avery.
The facts
- 14 bookable sites
- 15 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 1 site for day use only
- Up to 40 people per site
- Loops: A
Site types
- 13 Standard Electric
- 1 Management
- 1 Shelter Electric
Amenities
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills, shade.
15 campsites at Shadowy St. Joe Campground
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 02 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 03 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 04 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 05 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 06 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 07 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 08 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 09 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 10 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 11 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 12 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 13 | A | Management | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 14 | A | Standard Electric | — | — | — | 10 | 🐾 |
| 15 | A | Shelter Electric | — | — | — | 40 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Saint Maries, take Highway 3 north. After 1/2 mile, turn right on Saint Joe River Road and continue for 10.6 miles. Turn right into campground.
47.32567, -116.39325 · 47°19'32.4"N 116°23'35.7"W
Typical weather
Typically 85°F in Aug, down to 36°F in Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 37 | 42 | 50 | 58 | 68 | 74 | 84 | 85 | 75 | 59 | 44 | 36 |
| Low °F | 24 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 42 | 48 | 52 | 51 | 44 | 36 | 30 | 24 |
| Precip in | 4.4 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Campers utilizing the boat launch will have to pay an additional $5 boat launch fee.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Shadowy St. Joe Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Shadowy St. Joe Campground?
- Yes, Shadowy St. Joe Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Shadowy St. Joe Campground have?
- 15 sites in total, of which 14 can be booked.
- Are pets allowed at Shadowy St. Joe Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Shadowy St. Joe Campground.
Also listed by
Shadowy St. Joe Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Shadowy St. Joe Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- A fee is charged for the use of this facility. Camp sites: $20.00 per day plus $5.00 for a third vehicle. $5.00 Boat Launch fee, this helps us maintain the docks every season.
Camping near Shadowy St. Joe Campground
- Huckleberry Campground 14.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bumblebee Campground 21.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bald Mountain Lookout (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, ID) 22 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Beauty Creek Campground 23.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bell Bay Campground 23.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sheep Springs Overlook 4.3 mi · Facility
- Big Creek Campground 12.8 mi · Campground
- Camp 3 Campground 19.1 mi · Campground
- Cedar Creek Campground 19.6 mi · Campground
- St. Joe River Area 21.2 mi · Facility
- Palouse Divide Nordic Ski Area 22 mi · Facility
- Emerald Creek Campground 22.2 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 208-245-2531
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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