St. Charles

Summary

St. Charles Campground is located in the scenic St. Charles Canyon, 8 miles from Bear Lake State Park. It offers one group site, six single sites and amenities such as flush toilets and drinking water. Recreational activities in the area include fishing, big game hunting, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Nearby attractions include Minnetonka Cave and the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Overview

St. Charles Campground is situated on its namesake creek in the scenic St. Charles Canyon, approximately 8 miles from Bear Lake State Park and North Beach.

Recreation

Nearby, the North Fork Trail and its associated trails access the Highline Trail #316. The Highline Trail is part of the National Trail System and is the area's premier trail. It stretches 55 miles along the backbone of the Wasatch Mountains and is open to hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and motorcyclists, attracting trail users from around the world.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game manages the river fisheries, providing good to excellent fishing most of the year, including in St. Charles Creek. In-season big game hunting is also a popular activity.

Facilities

The campground offers one group site that can accommodate up to 20 people. Six single sites are also available. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. A paved road leads to the campground.

Natural Features

Stands of aspens provide partial shade, while lodgepole pines, willow, dogwoods, Engelmann spruce and wild roses dot the landscape. The varied vegetation provides plenty of privacy from site to site.

Nearby Attractions

Minnetonka Cave, one of only two developed caves in the Forest Service, is a few miles from the campground. Guided cave tours are scheduled every 30 minutes daily from early June until Labor Day.

The Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge is just north of Bear Lake, offering excellent bird watching.

Bear Lake's Raspberry Days Festival occurs the first weekend in August every year, with a parade, fireworks, craft booths and a rodeo.