Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Star4.14
33 reviews
Shadowy St. Joe Campground, 10 miles east of St. Maries, Idaho on St. Joe River Road

Quick Facts

2,100 ft

Price

$20 - $25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Open mid-May through...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens Idaho Panhandle National Forest site

Official Website
Get Directions
Shadowy St. Joe Campground
$20.00 - $25.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Overnight use is $20 per night for single sites, which includes two vehicles per site. An additional vehicle costs $5 per night (limit of three...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$20.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
USFS
Provider
nullnull
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.14

Satisfactory

Based on 33 reviews

30 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulspaciouslocationwell-maintained

Some mention

noise

"Reviews of Shadowy St. Joe Campground are mixed, with positive feedback highlighting its riverside location, spacious sites, and boating facilities. Negative reviews focus on cleanliness issues, especially during peak seasons, and a lack of nearby hiking trails."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Shadowy St. Joe Campground, 10 miles east of St. Maries, Idaho on St. Joe River Road

Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Shadowy St. Joe Campground, 10 miles east of St. Maries, Idaho on St. Joe River Road

Driving directionsIn St. Maries, ID, take State Rt. 3 north (to Kellogg) 0.6 miles to 'Y' intersection (St. Joe River Rd. - Rt. FH 50). Bear right onto Rt. FH 50 and go 10.8 miles to campground sign. Turn right into campground.
Access is via paved roads that are not seasonally closed. The directions suggest straightforward navigation without major challenges.
Nearby places
St. Maries (10 miles, approximately 15-20 minutes)
Nearby supplies
St. Maries offers supplies including fuel, groceries, and camping gear. Local businesses such as Ed's R&R Service Station provide additional amenities.

Best Time to Camp at Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Experience the dramatic beauty of changing seasons at Shadowy St. Joe, where each time of year paints the landscape in different colors. Winter transforms the campground into a snow-dusted wonderland with crisp, freezing temperatures perfect for cozy campfire evenings. As summer arrives, the campground becomes an outdoor paradise with comfortable mid-70s temperatures and endless blue skies that invite you to explore the river, hike nearby trails, or simply relax in the shade of towering trees.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Open and active mid-May–mid-Sept with full water recreation; peak-season cleanliness/noise complaints exist.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
Not recommended

Campground closes mid-September; fall use is generally outside operating season.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Campground opens mid-May, so spring season is largely outside the operating window.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Closed outside mid-May–mid-September; winter stays not supported by operations.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Mid-May to mid-September.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open mid-May through mid-September, weather dependent.

About Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Nestled along the tranquil St. Joe River, Shadowy St. Joe Campground offers 14 thoughtfully designed, fully accessible campsites where modern comfort meets natural beauty. Each site comes equipped with electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars. Thanks to a major 2023 renovation funded by the Great American Outdoors Act and Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, visitors now enjoy brand-new accessible facilities, including upgraded restrooms, fresh picnic areas, and improved fire rings. The campground's amenities feature potable piped water throughout, convenient vault toilets, a scenic boat launch for river adventures, and a spacious group picnic shelter ideal for family reunions or group gatherings.
The campground primarily caters to tent and RV campers, offering both reservable and first-come, first-served sites. Group picnics are supported via a large shelter.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time not explicitly stated.
Check-out
Check-out time not explicitly stated.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 14 consecutive days.

Amenities available

Potable water
Electricity hookups
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Shadowy St. Joe Campground offers a variety of activities, particularly suited for water-based recreation, wildlife viewing, and group picnics.
FishingFishing opportunities are available in the St. Joe River, with species like Cutthroat and Rainbow trout commonly found. The river is accessible via the on-site boat launch.
SwimmingThe river provides opportunities for swimming and floating on tubes. One reviewer noted that the dock and boat ramp are ideal for mobility-impaired campers to access the water.
BoatingBoating is a major activity at this campground, with both motorized and non-motorized options supported. A well-maintained boat launch is available.
Wildlife viewingThe campground offers wildlife viewing opportunities and is noted for its scenic riverside location, which is ideal for observing local fauna.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsVault toilets have been reported as unclean during summer months, particularly during high occupancy periods.

Weather at Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Reviews

4.1
33 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Shadowy St. Joe Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews of Shadowy St. Joe Campground are mixed, with positive feedback highlighting its riverside location, spacious sites, and boating facilities. Negative reviews focus on cleanliness issues, especially during peak seasons, and a lack of nearby hiking trails.
Review Summaries
Based on 33 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciated the 'spacious, flat, grassy' campsites and the 'well-maintained boat launch.' Several reviewers described it as a 'beautiful' and 'peaceful' location, ideal for families and groups....
Show more
Based on 33 reviews

Common Concerns

Cleanliness of vault toilets during peak seasons, generator noise, absence of a camp host at times, and lack of hiking trails were common complaints. One reviewer criticized the $20 nightly fee as...
Show more
Based on 33 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own firewood for campfires. Visit during weekdays for a quieter experience. The campground is best for water-based activities, so consider bringing a boat or kayak.
Based on 33 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground tends to be quieter and cleaner during the off-season (e.g., June 2021) compared to peak summer months, where cleanliness and noise issues were reported. Winter activities like...
Show more
Based on 33 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Scenic campground right on the river. Campsites themselves are fairly spacious with large, flat, grassy areas.' - Elizabeth Wood 2. 'Quiet during the week, very nice camp host. Large sites....
Show more
Based on 33 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Users highlighted the spacious and flat campsites, but no specific site numbers were mentioned.
Based on 33 reviews

Accessibility Features

One reviewer noted, 'Easy access to the river for mobility-impaired campers. The dock and boat ramp are perfect... allowing access for those of us with walkers.'
Based on 33 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Shadowy St. Joe Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 5, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Idaho

Campgrounds
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Shadowy St. Joe Campground