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.
The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
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
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area