Closed
Currently closed for the season. Opens mid-July through September. First-come, first-served with no advance reservations. High-clearance vehicle recommended for access roads.
About
Mammoth Springs Campground offers a secluded backcountry camping experience in the St. Joe River drainage of Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The campground features 8 individual camp units with vault toilets and seasonal drinking water available from a hand pump during July through September. The remote location requires high-clearance vehicles due to the primitive forest roads leading to the site.
Access is via Forest Highway 50 (St. Joe River Road) from either Avery, Idaho or St. Regis, Montana, then turning onto Bluff Creek Road (#509) and Avery Timber Creek Road (#201). The campground operates on a pack-it-in, pack-it-out refuse policy, so campers must be prepared to haul out all trash. Nearby Dismal Lake sits approximately one mile away, though it's located on private timber ground.
The campground operates seasonally from mid-July through September and is available on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Peak season rates are $15 per night when water is available, and $12 per night during non-peak periods when water is off. Each site allows up to two vehicles, with additional vehicles at $5 per night up to a three-vehicle limit.
Directions
From Avery, Idaho: Drive 22 miles east on St. Joe River Road (Forest Highway 50), turn south on Bluff Creek Road (#509), continue 14 miles, then turn south on Avery Timber Creek Road (#201) for 2.5 miles. Proceed 2.4 miles to the campground entrance. From St. Regis, Montana: Take Little Joe Road (#282) to the Idaho border where it becomes Gold Creek Road (#388), continue to St. Joe River Road (Forest Highway 50), turn right and follow directions above.