Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Star2.80
36 reviews
Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Quick Facts

2,100 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

14 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Electric

Opens booking site

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Shadowy St. Joe Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Day and overnight use. During peak season, seven sites are available for reservations.
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

2.80

Mixed Reviews

Based on 36 reviews

24 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulwaterfriendlysites

"Reviews are generally very positive, emphasizing a quiet, small, scenic campground right on the St. Joe River with good upkeep and roomy sites. Several visitors praise the lush, green setting, river access, and friendly hosts, while a minority criticize dirty vault toilets, noise and lack of a host during parts of 2020, and limited things to do if you’re not into river or lawn activities."

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About Shadowy St. Joe Campground

Nestled along a tranquil stretch of the St. Joe River, this inviting campground awaits just 10.6 miles upstream from St. Maries, Idaho. At 2,100 feet elevation, you'll find modern amenities including paved access, electrical hookups, a boat launch with docks, and all the essentials for a comfortable riverside retreat, with seven reservable sites available during peak season.
Day-use and overnight campground with 14 accessible campsites and infrastructure (paved roads, camping spurs, trailer space) and electrical hookups. The site supports river recreation but specific campsite types (tent vs. RV vs. group campsites) are not explicitly enumerated.
ElevationPerched at 2,100 feet elevation, the campground occupies a peaceful slack-water section of the St. Joe River where the current slows and the waters calm, creating an ideal setting for boating and waterside relaxation.
Natural Features and SceneryThe campground spreads across open, sun-dappled meadows dotted with fruit-bearing and ornamental shade trees that frame views of the flowing St. Joe River. While there's no sandy beach, convenient docks and a well-maintained boat launch provide easy access to the water for fishing, paddling, and wildlife watching. The surrounding landscape blends private grassy parcels with wild country, and patient visitors are often rewarded with sightings of elk herds grazing along the lower river sections, especially during early morning and evening hours. The open layout offers both sunny spots for daytime activities and shaded retreats for escaping the midday warmth.
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Campsite details

Accessibility14 fully accessible campsites; paved roadways and camping spurs.
Sites PrivacySites are in open, grassy areas with some fruit and ornamental shade trees (generally open layout).
Total Campsites14 campsites

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Groups
Group picnic shelter available (day use) with tables seating up to 40 people.
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layoutPaved roadways and camping spurs leading to 14 campsites in open grassy areas; sites include electrical hookups, picnic tables and fire rings. Facilities include vault toilets, potable piped water, a boat launch, docks, refuse receptacle, ample parking, trailer space and a group picnic shelter (day use shelter seats up to 40).
Reservation PlatformsSeven sites are available for reservations during peak season.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Electricity hookups

Activities you can enjoy

River-focused recreation with docks and a boat launch supporting boating, fishing and swimming; grassy open areas provide relaxation and wildlife viewing opportunities. Nearby river sections offer additional float and raft opportunities.
Fishing
Located on the St. Joe River, a well-known fishing destination; docks and river access provided.
Swimming
Swimming access available from docks and river access points on this slack-water section of the St. Joe River.
Boating
Docks and a boat ramp/launch provide river access for motorized boats (boats can continue upriver to St. Joe City); supports drift boating, canoeing and other river boating activities.
Wildlife viewing
Herds of elk are often seen along the lower river; mountain goats can be seen upriver at times in spring.
Water Sports
White water rafting upriver in spring; lower river provides rafting, drift boating, canoeing and inner tubing.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsWildlife present (herds of elk frequently seen). River use includes motorized boat traffic; no beach is present (water access via docks and boat launch).

Weather at Shadowy St. Joe Campground

48
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 9.8 mph
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Emergency Services

Hospital in St. Maries (10.6 miles)

Good to know

Trash and recyclingRefuse receptacle provided.
Proximity to water featuresLocated on a slack-water section of the St. Joe River with docks and a boat launch providing direct river access; no beach.
HostOne host site is present within the campground.

Campground Map

Shadowy St. Joe Campground
Driving directionsFrom 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.
Accessible via Highway 3 north from St. Maries, then Saint Joe River Road for 10.6 miles to the campground entrance.
Nearby places
St. Maries: 10.6 miles
Avery: approximately 30 miles further up the St. Joe River
Nearby supplies
St. Maries (10.6 miles) — full service community with hospital, gas, food and services
Avery (~30 miles) — small store with gas, deli sandwiches and other basic supplies

Reviews from booking and map sources

2.8
36 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Shadowy St. Joe Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews are generally very positive, emphasizing a quiet, small, scenic campground right on the St. Joe River with good upkeep and roomy sites. Several visitors praise the lush, green setting, river access, and friendly hosts, while a minority criticize dirty vault toilets, noise and lack of a host during parts of 2020, and limited things to do if you’re not into river or lawn activities.
Review Summaries
Based on 36 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers consistently highlight the peaceful, uncrowded atmosphere and beautiful riverfront setting, often calling it a great place to relax or “chill on the Joe.” Many mention that the campground is...
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Based on 36 reviews

Common Concerns

The most frequent complaint is about cleanliness and condition of the vault toilets, with some reviewers calling them filthy or nasty, particularly in 2020–2021. A few visitors also mention periods...
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Based on 36 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviews suggest this campground is best suited for people who want river access, boating, fishing, or open lawn space (including RVers and families), and less ideal for hikers or those...
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Based on 36 reviews

Seasonal Insights

A 2020 review contrasts a quiet, well-managed 2019 stay with a loud July/August 2020 stay where toilets weren’t cleaned and there was no host, suggesting peak summer and/or that particular year had...
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Based on 36 reviews

Camper Quotes

“This is a quiet and small campground with easy access to the river for mobility impaired campers.” “Scenic campground right on the river. No hiking trails nearby though.” “In this time of covid, the...
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Based on 36 reviews

Accessibility Features

One reviewer specifically praises river access for mobility-impaired campers, noting that the dock and boat ramp make it easy for people using walkers to get to the water to swim, float, and enjoy...
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Based on 36 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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