USDA Forest Service · Idaho

Shadowy St. Joe Campground

USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States

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Sites
15
Hookups
14 electric
Season
May 23 to September 29
Cost
Campers utilizing the boat launch will have to pay an additional $5 boat launch fee.
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
2,149 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
SHADOWY ST JOE CAMPGROUND (NFSR 3381) · bituminous surface treatment · high degree of user comfort
Lake
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Address
222 S. 7th Street, Suite 1 St. Maries, ID 83861
Phone
208-245-2531

About

Overview

The Shadowy St. Joe Campground (CG) is located 10.6 miles from St. Maries Idaho up the St. Joe River on Forest Highway 50. It is at 2100 feet elevation and on a slack water section of the river. The campground includes convenient paved roadways and camping spurs, 13 camping units and one host site. During peak season, 7 sites will be available for reservations.

Recreation

The docks and boat ramp at Shadowy St. Joe CG allows for river access, fishing and swimming. Motorized boats can continue up the river to St. Joe City. The grassy landscape allows for relaxation in a peaceful setting.

Facilities

Day and overnight use. 14 fully accessible campsites with electrical hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Refuse receptacle provided, ample parking, convenient trailer space, potable piped water, boat launch, and a group picnic shelter. The day use picnic shelter has tables that can seat up to 40 people. The campground is 10.6 miles from a full service community of St. Maries (population 3000) where a hospital, gas, food and services can be found.

Natural Features

Camp sites are located in open, grassy areas with some fruit and ornamental shade trees. There is no beach but there are docks and a boat launch providing access to the river. The surrounding areas include private lands with open grassy areas. Herds of elk are often seen along the lower sections of the river.

Nearby Attractions

The St. Joe River is well known as a fishing destination. Thirty miles further up the river is the town of Avery where the St. Joe River becomes a designated Wild and Scenic River. The gateway town of Avery Idaho has a renovated railroad depot with a museum, post office and a railroad car from the historic Route of the Hiawatha, small store with gas and fast food, a restaurant with pizza, chicken and beer, a fly fisherman shop with fishing supplies, souvenirs, deli sandwiches and ice cream. The upper river provides white water rafting in the spring and the lower river provides rafting, drift boating, canoeing and inner tubing. At times in the spring, mountain goats can be seen along the river upriver from Avery.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January40°29°-17°46°11 of 11
February39°25°-11°53°10 of 11
March46°31°9°69°11 of 11
April52°34°24°78°6 of 11
May64°47°34°87°0 of 11
June72°51°42°91°0 of 11
July87°62°50°100°0 of 11
August86°61°51°101°0 of 11
September74°54°42°91°0 of 11
October59°43°31°79°1 of 10
November47°34°14°67°7 of 10
December38°28°10°55°9 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.