With the nights growing dark sooner, I decided to try camping out past Avery, Idaho. Having rode past Red Ives Ranger Station before, I wanted to try getting past there and seeing how things looked. From Saint Maries, Idaho, I traveled 46 miles east on the St. Joe River Rd. Driving through Avery, I continued roughly another 40 miles to National Forest Rd 218 and turned right onto that road. While the road is sort of paved, it has been quite some time since it was taken care and the going here was slow. Watch for the large potholes and shallow washouts along the path. Clearance is not a great issue so long as you can avoid dropping into the deeper holes. At Red Ives Ranger Station, continue forward another two miles. The road ends in the Spruce Tree Campground. It seems that the campground is free once the water is turned off, as I did not find envelopes to pay and the pay receptacle was sealed shut. In warmer times, the campground costs $15 plus $5 for an additional vehicle.

The campground has 9 sites. There is no water or electrical connections for RV’s or trailers. There is room at a few sites for shorter models of each. I think they would probably need to be less than 30ft long. A few are likely tent only sites. Perhaps three of the sites that I saw looked like you could bring an RV or trailer to. This is not my area of expertise tho, so do not count on me for this information. Contacting the Avery Ranger Station for more accurate information is advisable. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit. The sites are spaced far enough apart that there is a modicum of privacy. There are two vault toilets that are handicap accessible. All sites are available on a first come,first served basis.

This campground is the start of the St. Joe Wild and Scenic River. There is a trailhead in the corner of the campground that will take you into the forest. There appears to be many great fishing and camping opportunities along this trail. If you stay on it for 22 miles, you will come out at the Heller Creek Campground, on NF 320. There is a diversion for pack animals to follow that requires river crossings, but the hiking trail has no river crossings. The two trails rejoin later. This campground is a great place for a fishing or hunting base camp. It would also be great for watching animals if you just want to observe nature.

This campsite was quite peaceful. Airplane noise was minimal, tho not nonexistent. The sound of the river flowing along nearby created a wonderful ambiance to sleep to. The only traffic noise was from the few people who showed up to hike the trail and fish the river. I saw a few chipmunks near camp, but did not see any other wildlife. If the Historic Red Ives Ranger Station is open, I would highly recommend going inside and checking that out. There was a lot of really great artifacts and information about the local history of this area.

If you are into fishing, hunting, or hiking, this area is perfect for you. There are numerous trailheads that lead off from the main road. The forest is full of wildlife. It is a pretty isolated area, so there is not going to be a lot of noise pollution. If you do hike up river, it is less pressured fishing and there will likely be a lot less competition for those deep holes harboring massive trout. Be aware of the regulations before you head out, as there are protected bull trout in the water that you need to be conscious of. I love this part of Idaho, and when conditions allow, I take many trips here each year to camp and get away from it all. I hope you are able to find a part of this forest that you can enjoy also.

Official Forest Service website

If you want more content, give me a follow on Instagram at: overnightadventuresblog
If Facebook is your thing, here is my page: https://www.facebook.com/overnightadventuresblog/
More videos to come on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@OvernightAdventuresVlog
And finally, if you would like to help support my travels and this blog, here is my patreon link:
https://www.patreon.com/OvernightAdventures

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The author of this blog makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the information contained in this blog for any particular purpose. The author of this blog will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of the use of or reliance on the information contained in this blog.

© 2024 Isbell Productions. All rights reserved.