Knife Edge Campground And River Access

Star4.35
30 reviews

Quick Facts

2,195 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests site

Official Website
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Knife Edge Campground And River Access
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
This is a no-fee campground.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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

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What Campers Say

4.35

Recommended

Based on 30 reviews

25 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

Some mention

noise

"User reviews of Knife Edge Campground highlight its beautiful riverfront location, free access, and basic amenities. However, some reviewers noted issues such as the lack of clean restrooms, noise from the nearby road, and limited campsite availability during rafting season."

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Campground Map

Knife Edge Campground And River Access

46.2296, -115.4751

Driving directionsTravel 11.6 miles east on highway 12 from Lowell, ID. Site will be on the right.
The campground is accessible from Highway 12 and accommodates vehicles up to 40 feet long. However, access might be challenging during winter due to snow blockage.
Nearby places
Lowell, ID: ~11.6 miles
Nearby supplies
The nearest town of Lowell, ID (~11.6 miles away) likely provides basic supplies, but further details are unavailable.

Best Time to Camp at Knife Edge Campground And River Access

Summer transforms Knife Edge into a riverside paradise, with comfortable temperatures hovering between the 50s and 70s—perfect for splashing in the river or lounging in the shade of towering evergreens. As autumn arrives, the campground becomes a photographer's dream, though winter brings a dramatic change. When snow blankets the surrounding peaks and temperatures dip between 20 and 40°F, access becomes challenging, turning this summer haven into a quiet, snow-draped wonderland accessible only to the most determined winter adventurers.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer described as 'riverside paradise' with swimming and boating; busy during rafting season.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Fall likely pleasant but limited explicit info on fall colors or visitor patterns in sources.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Spring includes rafting season (May–Jun) that increases traffic; river access is strong but busier.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Open 'as snow allows' but winter access may be restricted and few winter activities cited.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Open year-round as snow allows.

About Knife Edge Campground And River Access

Tucked away along the crystal-clear waters of the Lochsa River, Knife Edge Campground offers an intimate escape into Idaho's untamed wilderness. This hidden gem features just five peaceful campsites, each equipped with picnic tables and fire rings where stories are shared under starlit skies. Despite its rustic charm and simple amenities—including a vault restroom and changing room—this free campground welcomes adventurers with RVs up to 40 feet. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, navigating rapids by kayak, or simply listening to the river's ancient song, Knife Edge draws families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking authentic connection with nature.
Knife Edge Campground and River Access provides primitive camping options suitable for both tents and RVs. There is no fee to use the campground, making it a budget-friendly option.
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Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a diverse range of activities that take advantage of its location along the Lochsa River. Popular activities include fishing, non-motorized boating, and backpacking. Other recreational opportunities in the area include road cycling, scenic driving, sledding or tubing in winter, and OHV trail riding. However, while the campground is close to these activities, there are no hiking trails within walking distance. This limitation was noted in several user reviews.
HikingDay hikes and backpacking opportunities are available, but they require driving to nearby trailheads rather than departing directly from the campground.
FishingThe Lochsa River provides a 'nice stretch of river for fishing,' according to one user. Specific fish species are not listed.
SwimmingSwimming is possible in the river. One user described it as 'nice swimming in the river.'
BikingRoad cycling is an option in the area, utilizing nearby scenic roads.
BoatingThe campground provides access to the Lochsa River for non-motorized boating, which can include kayaking, canoeing, and floating.
Cultural and Educational ProgramsThe campground mentions 'Outdoor Science and Learning: Interpretive Areas/Exhibits' as a recreational opportunity.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSome user reviews mention the campground’s proximity to the main road, which results in occasional noise from truck traffic during the night.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Knife Edge Campground And River Access

Reviews

4.4
30 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Knife Edge Campground And River Access is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews of Knife Edge Campground highlight its beautiful riverfront location, free access, and basic amenities. However, some reviewers noted issues such as the lack of clean restrooms, noise from the nearby road, and limited campsite availability during rafting season.
Review Summaries
Based on 30 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects noted by users include the campground's 'beautiful small' setting, 'nice stretch of river for fishing,' 'fire pits with grates,' and 'ample dry wood around to start a fire.' Many...
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Based on 30 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints focus on the cleanliness of the vault toilet, noise from road traffic, and limited campsite availability, particularly during rafting season (May-June). The lack of potable water...
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Based on 30 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing your own water, arriving early to secure a site, and being prepared for noise from road traffic. They also suggest checking ahead during rafting season as some sites may be...
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Based on 30 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground sees an increase in traffic during rafting season (May-June), which can limit campsite availability and lead to more vehicles in the area. Winter access may be restricted due to snow,...
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Based on 30 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Lovely no fee campsite right along the river.' - Keith Zelniker 2. 'Large campsites with good fire pits and big tables.' - Woodswoman 3. 'There were only two campsites available in the campground...
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Based on 30 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Some users highlight that not all campsites are available during the rafting season (May 1st to June 20th), and that signage for the campground is limited. Site numbers are not specified in the...
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Based on 30 reviews

Accessibility Features

There are no specific reviews addressing accessibility or experiences from users with disabilities.
Based on 30 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews mentioning pet policies or pet-related experiences were found.
Based on 30 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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