A gray 4x4 Sprinter with a roof rack on a two-track through a wildflower meadow, cloud sitting on the mountains behind.

Forest Service group campground

Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site

Forest Service group campground in Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Clearwater County, Idaho. 1,710 feet. 25.5 miles from Pierce.

Managed by
Forest Service Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Elevation
1,710 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Reservations
Not on Recreation.gov Usually first come, first served. Confirm with the office

Aquarius Campground boasts 9 developed sites and 2 group campsites (Purple Beach) on the bank of the scenic North Fork of the Clearwater River. Swimming, fly fishing, tubing and whitewater rafting (May and June) are just a few of the many water sports frequently enjoyed by visitors here. Hunters, anglers, and families looking for a quiet spot to take a dip and get away with the kids can all find respite here. Hiking trails near the campground take hikers and backpackers alike into the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area and to the Black Mountain summit, one of the few remaining places in Idaho where Mountain Goats can still be seen!

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • camping
  • hunting
  • off highway vehicle
  • picnicking
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.