How much does camping cost at Josephus Lake Campground?

Camping fees at Josephus Lake Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

What is the best time to visit Josephus Lake Campground?

Josephus Lake Campground is open Open season begins July 1.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Josephus Lake Campground?

Josephus Lake Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Josephus Lake Campground have?

Josephus Lake Campground has 3 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Josephus Lake Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Josephus Lake Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Josephus Lake Campground?

Josephus Lake Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Josephus Lake Campground?

Popular activities at Josephus Lake Campground include Hiking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Josephus Lake Campground

Q: Is Josephus Lake Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Josephus Lake Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Only walk-up availability; there are no reservations for this site. User reviews mention that the limited number of campsites (3) can fill quickly, so an early arrival is recommended.

2 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Tent Camping Idaho

Quick Facts

7,064 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Open season begins J...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

7,064 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Open season begins J...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Josephus Lake Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are charged for camping at this site. Note: The campground is not routinely maintained.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

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I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Josephus Lake Campground

44.5489, -115.1426

Nearby places

Stanley - 17 miles south (on Highway 21), plus 18 miles on unpaved Forest Road 008.

Weather at Josephus Lake Campground

Best Time to Camp at Josephus Lake Campground

The campground opens July 1 when snow clears. Summer daytime temperatures run mid-50s to mid-70s°F, with nights dropping into the 30s and 40s. Afternoon thunderstorms come through occasionally. Trails are snow-free and conditions are best for hiking and lakeside activities. Winter brings deep snow and frigid temperatures that close access.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open July 1; summer temps mid-50s to mid-70s, hiking and paddlecraft available.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open season begins July 1.

About Josephus Lake Campground

Josephus Lake Campground sits at 7,064 feet in Salmon-Challis National Forest, offering three tent sites on the shores of a small alpine lake. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, plus access to a vault toilet. The campground is a trailhead into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Getting here requires 18 miles of narrow, rocky road that demands high ground clearance.

Josephus Lake Campground is categorized as a dispersed camping site in Salmon-Challis National Forest. It offers three designated campsites suitable for tent camping. User reviews also describe additional small camping spots accessible by crossing a shallow river.

Weather and SeasonsThe campground opens July 1 when snow clears. Summer daytime temperatures run mid-50s to mid-70s°F, with nights dropping into the 30s and 40s. Afternoon thunderstorms come through occasionally. Trails are snow-free and conditions are best for hiking and lakeside activities. Winter brings deep snow and frigid temperatures that close access.

Natural Features and SceneryThe lake is small but clear, surrounded by conifers that provide shade and frame the water. Reviews describe it as peaceful and good for paddleboarding. Trees are plentiful around the sites. The campground sits at the edge of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48.

Geological RegionPerched at the gateway to the legendary Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, this campground serves as your basecamp for exploring one of America's last truly wild frontiers. This rugged landscape represents the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 states, where untamed rivers carve through ancient canyons and pristine forests stretch beyond the horizon. The remote character of this region promises genuine solitude and the kind of raw, unspoiled nature that has become increasingly rare in our modern world.

Scenic ViewsViews from the campground include the beautiful tree-lined shore of Josephus Lake. No specific vista points are noted from the campground itself.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no lodging or hotel-style accommodations at the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural or educational programs are not mentioned in any sources.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

Group camping is not mentioned in provided sources.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThree sites cluster along the lakeshore rather than spreading out. They're small and suited to tent camping, not dispersed in layout despite the intimate scale.

Walk-in AvailabilityOnly walk-up availability; there are no reservations for this site. User reviews mention that the limited number of campsites (3) can fill quickly, so an early arrival is recommended.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are not explicitly mentioned in any sources.

Site SizeUser reviews do not provide specific measurements or classifications of campsite sizes, but they suggest the sites are small and suitable for tent camping.

PrivacyThe three main campsites appear to be clustered rather than secluded, as user reviews note their high occupancy during visits.

Total Campsites3 campsites

Recommended SitesArrival at earlier hours is recommended due to limited capacity. Bringing a vehicle with good ground clearance is advisable for navigating the access road.

Best CampsitesNull

Amenities available

Josephus Lake Campground offers essential amenities suitable for dispersed camping. Official sources note the presence of picnic tables and fire rings at the three designated campsites, along with a vault toilet. However, potable water and restrooms are unavailable. User reviews highlight the rustic nature of the campground and recommend vehicles with high ground clearance due to the challenging access road.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Josephus Lake Campground provides opportunities for dispersed camping and picnicking. The hiking trail from the campground leads west into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, offering scenic views and access to the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Salmon River. User reviews emphasize the beauty and peacefulness of the lake, which is suitable for paddleboarding.

Hiking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"The road is narrow, bumpy, incredibly rocky," posing a potential hazard for vehicles without good ground clearance. The remote and unmaintained nature of the campground might also necessitate careful planning.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

0.0

2 reviews

Limited Reviews

Josephus Lake Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally praise the campground for its scenic beauty and peaceful atmosphere. They emphasize the need for vehicles with high ground clearance due to the challenging access road and note that the three campsites can be fully occupied during peak times.

Review Summaries

Based on 2 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the beautiful and peaceful lake and the availability of fire rings at campsites. One review states, 'The lake is small, but very pretty, clear & peaceful, good for paddleboards....

Based on 2 reviews

Common Concerns

Users frequently mention the poor condition of the access road as a significant drawback: 'The road is narrow, bumpy, incredibly rocky & there's about 18 miles of it. It took about an hour & a half...

Based on 2 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Users mention three main campsites that are often fully occupied. One review notes additional small camping spots across a shallow river, though these lack bathroom facilities.

Based on 2 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users suggest arriving early to secure one of the three campsites, especially during peak periods. They also recommend using a truck or vehicle with high ground clearance to navigate the access road.

Based on 2 reviews

Seasonal Insights

User reviews do not provide detailed insights into seasonal trends, but they emphasize challenges related to road conditions and campsite availability, which may vary throughout the year.

Based on 2 reviews

Camper Quotes

'The lake is small, but very pretty, clear & peaceful, good for paddleboards. There were lots of trees.' 'This is a must-do destination. You will definitely want to take a vehicle with good ground...

Based on 2 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviews do not address accessibility features or experiences for campers with disabilities.

Based on 2 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet policies and experiences are not mentioned in any user reviews or official sources.

Based on 2 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Paddleboarders and wilderness hikers with a high-clearance truck who don't mind showing up early on a weekday. The lake is clear, the trail west leads deep into the largest roadless wilderness in the lower 48, and the price is zero.

Skip if

Three sites fill fast on summer weekends, there's no potable water, and the access road took one reviewer 90 minutes to drive. Roll up in a low-clearance vehicle or expect a guaranteed spot and this trip will disappoint.

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Josephus Lake Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Josephus Lake Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Josephus Lake Campground

Best Time to Camp at Josephus Lake Campground

Planning Tips

About Josephus Lake Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews

Go if

Skip if

Overview

Plan a trip to Josephus Lake Campground

Best Time to Camp at Josephus Lake Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Site-Specific Reviews