Telichpah Campground

Star4.14
11 reviews
North Fork St. Joe River Rd (Forest Route 456), Avery, Idaho

Quick Facts

2,800 ft

Price

$5 - $10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens St. Joe Ranger District site

Official Website
Get Directions
Telichpah Campground
$5.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard site fee is $10/night, which includes 2 vehicles. An additional vehicle fee of $5 applies (maximum of 3 vehicles per site). Interagency...
Show more
Standard Site Fee$10.00
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See something outdated or incorrect?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 11 reviews

5 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanlocationwater

"User reviews highlight the campground's semi-primitive setting and proximity to scenic and recreational attractions but note limitations such as lack of direct river access and minimal privacy."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

North Fork St. Joe River Rd (Forest Route 456), Avery, Idaho

Telichpah Campground

North Fork St. Joe River Rd (Forest Route 456), Avery, Idaho

Driving directionsIn Avery, ID, at intersection of FH50 and Moon Pass Rd, take Moon Pass Rd north. Immediately turn right onto N.F. St. Joe River Rd (Forest Route 456) and go 4.6 miles to a one lane bridge (no campground sign). Turn left just before the bridge onto a steep, narrow, and dirt single-lane road and go 0.1 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear right and go 0.5 miles into campground.
Forest Rt. 456 is an intermittently single-lane gravel roadway with three single lane reconstructed former railroad tunnels. The road leading to the campground is steep, narrow, and dirt, making access challenging for trailers and larger vehicles.
Nearby places
Avery (6 miles, approximately 15 minutes drive)
Nearby supplies
Groceries, fuel, and camping supplies are available in Avery, Idaho, approximately 6 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Telichpah Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal transitions of the northern Idaho mountains, where spring arrives with a dusting of snow and crisp, freezing mornings that gradually give way to wildflower blooms. Summer transforms the landscape into a hiker's paradise, with comfortable daytime temperatures ranging from the 50s to 80s, while evenings cool down perfectly for campfire stories and stargazing. Early season visitors should come prepared for winter's lingering touch, as snow often blankets the ground through the first weeks of camping season before melting into the clear, sun-drenched days of late spring and summer.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open and peak season is from weekend before Memorial Day through mid-September; visitors report good usability.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open into mid-September; crisp mornings and seasonal transitions noted but limited late-fall access.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Opens the weekend before Memorial Day; early spring conditions include snow and freezing mornings.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Seasonal closure outside Memorial Day–mid-September; winter use not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Weekend before Memorial Day to mid-September.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open seasonally from the weekend before Memorial Day through mid-September, weather dependent.
  • Current Alerts: None identified.

About Telichpah Campground

Escape to the tranquil wilderness of Telichpah Campground, where five intimate camp units nestle among towering pines along the North Fork St. Joe River. This rustic retreat embraces a back-to-nature philosophy with vault toilets and a Pack it In, Pack it Out approach that helps preserve the pristine forest environment. While you'll need to bring your own water and leave the trailer at home, you'll be rewarded with direct access to prime fishing waters and the extensive Nelson Peak National Recreation Trail System that beckons hikers and adventurers into the surrounding wilderness.
Telichpah Campground caters primarily to tent campers and offers semi-primitive camping experiences.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Open 24 hours/day.
Check-out
Open 24 hours/day.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay is 14 days.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Telichpah Campground offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities centered around its scenic location near the North Fork St. Joe River.
HikingThe Squaw Creek Trail #196 and access to the Nelson Peak National Recreation Trail System offer hiking opportunities ranging from 4 miles to multi-day adventures. The nearby Hiawatha Rail Trail, about 7 miles north, provides hiking and biking through tunnels and over steel trestles.
FishingFishing is permitted in the North Fork St. Joe River and nearby streams, with cutthroat trout being the primary species.
BikingCyclists can explore the Hiawatha Rail Trail located 7 miles north, offering scenic routes through historic tunnels and trestles.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is listed as an activity, although specific species and optimal viewing areas are not detailed.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSteep and narrow access road poses a hazard for trailers. Vault toilets and lack of potable water may be inconvenient for some visitors.
Active AlertsNone identified.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Telichpah Campground

Reviews

4.1
11 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Telichpah Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground's semi-primitive setting and proximity to scenic and recreational attractions but note limitations such as lack of direct river access and minimal privacy.
Review Summaries
Based on 11 reviews

What Campers Love

Campground cleanliness and peaceful setting are frequently praised. One user stated, 'Great camping location! Close to a beautiful river. It’s very peaceful.' Another mentioned, 'Beautiful...
Show more
Based on 11 reviews

Common Concerns

Limited privacy due to sparse vegetation and lack of direct river access were recurring complaints. One user stated, 'We prefer camping in dense forests with a view of the river, so this place was...
Show more
Based on 11 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring sufficient water and plan for cash or check payments as no potable water is available on-site. Trailers are not recommended due to narrow roads.
Based on 11 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Visitors have remarked on the usability of the campground during the open season from the weekend before Memorial Day through mid-September, emphasizing weather-dependent access.
Based on 11 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Great camping location! Close to a beautiful river. It’s very peaceful.' - 'Beautiful semi-primitive campground. Pit toilets, camp fire rings and some water in season.' - 'We prefer camping in...
Show more
Based on 11 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 6 is noted as a secluded group section, while sites 1 through 5 are near the Squaw Creek trailhead. Sites 7 through 15 offer proximity to the North Fork St. Joe River, which can be heard but not...
Show more
Based on 11 reviews

Accessibility Features

Vault toilets are wheelchair-friendly, but access roads may challenge mobility-impaired individuals.
Based on 11 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews related to pet policies are available.
Based on 11 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

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


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Idaho

Campgrounds
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Telichpah Campground