Spanning from the Montana border and across Idaho’s mountainous panhandle to the rolling uplands of the Palouse, Clearwater National Forest is both historic and awe inspiring. Lewis and Clark passed through this area on their journey west to reach the Pacific. Markers and historic stops allow you to trace their route and imagine a vastly different and very young United States.
Sweep forward from epic history to the present day and enjoy recreation opportunities such hiking through the heights of the Bitterroot Mountains. Some routes, including a few easy ones, will take you to natural hot springs, which speckle the area and are popular with tourists and locals alike. Two popular rivers, the Lochsa and the Selway, offer fantastic white water paddling and rafting for adrenaline enthusiasts. Plus, all of those mountain fed streams create the perfect opportunities for anglers.
This vast forest with over two million acres will impress you and keep you and your traveling companions busy with picturesque towns, stunning views, and idyllic forests where you can park your rig for an afternoon wander. Now managed with the Nez Perce National Forest, the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest contains 68 campgrounds, 11 of which are suitable for most RVs. However, many of the additional smaller campgrounds will fit a smaller campervan or truck camper. We’ll highlight three that should not be missed to help you plan your next excursion.
Route 12 is the main thoroughfare stretching across the panhandle of Idaho and through the Clearwater National Forest. This winding road leaves Montana in the east over a historic pass to drop to the headwaters of the Lochsa River, which it follows out of the mountains. This road is in great shape with numerous pull offs to enjoy historic markers and interesting natural features, such as cedar swamps and hot springs. However, it is winding, often only two lanes, and has some sections of steep grade. It is best to use caution when travelling Route 12 in poor weather conditions or low visibility.
Throughout the forest are numerous secondary and forest access roads, most of which are gravel. These roadways can involve steep grades, hairpin turns with drop offs, and narrow road widths. Use caution when driving off the Route 12, have a map and not just a GPS, and keep extra food or water in case you become stuck. Roads have a tendency for potholes, mud, and can experience washouts. Turnaround spots are limited and four-wheel drive is recommended.
Chains are required for winter travel, including on Route 12. There are chain-up areas along the roadway for application and removal. Forest access roads are not plowed or maintained off-season and it is best to avoid them outside of the summer months.
Considered the premier campground of the Clearwater National Forest, Wilderness Gateway Campground is located off of Route 12. With loops open mid-April to the end of October, the 91 sites of this paved campground boast large campsites with some pull-through as well as back-in spots.
Reservations are accepted so you can nab one of the spots located right along the Lochsa River. Walking trails along the river, a birding trail, pavilions, and picnic areas in the campground will have you out of your camper and exploring the area.
Unlike many National Forest campgrounds, Wilderness Gateway has dump facilities on site. Some loops contain flush toilets, while others offer latrine-style facilities. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire ring, and there are trash facilities throughout the four loops. There are no electric, sewer, or water hookups available.
Located on the river plain, most sites are level and there are no hills, drop-offs or sharp curves to worry about in the campground. For those reasons, this campground can handle RVs as large as 50 feet.
Located less than five miles south of Route 12, the Johnson Bar Campground is a quiet spot to get away from the summer traffic of the popular Northwest Passage Scenic Byway-All American Road. This small campground is located on a bend of the Selway River and contains a swimming beach, as well as a place to drop in your raft or float off on a tube.
With only seven campsites, most containing a pad suitable for RVs, it is best to make reservations before driving down to hole up at this beautiful spot. All campsites have a picnic table and fire ring. Latrine style toilets, a water pump, and trash cans are available in the campground. However, there are no electric, sewer, or water hookups available. The nearest dump facilities would be located out of the National Forest in Kooskia or at Wilderness Gateway Campground.
Due to the small size of this campground and its position tucked between the river and the mountains, a small RV or trailer is best suited.
From rugged drives that have you following routes through the mountains constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps to eye-popping views from roads suitable for larger campers, the Clearwater National Forest offers several self-guided motorized excursions. The Gospel Hump Wilderness corridor will take your through the heart of a Wilderness area, leaving you immersed in stunning natural beauty. Route 12 is known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway-All American Road and will amaze you with its history and views.
Get away from your rig and experience the Clearwater National Forest the way early travelers arrived: on horse. With over 40 access points to park your trailer and mount up, you’ll be able to ride into numerous sections of the forest. Plus, there are hundreds of miles of forest roads open to horseback riding as well as the designated trails. Check out the Castle Butte Lookout to retrace the paths of the Nez Perce as well as Lewis and Clark.
One of the most unforgettable ways to experience the Clearwater National Forest is from its surging rivers. Floating permits are required for the Selway River, but not others, such as the Lochsa. If you are nervous about handling the white water on your own, numerous outfitters in the area can lead you on a whitewater journey you’ll remember for years. And if you’d rather float in a tube instead of taming the rapids in a raft, there are three great tubing spots at Knife Edge, Weitas Creek, and Spring Bar Campgrounds so you can park your camper and hop in.
While the Jerry Johnson Campground might be small, it offers something that you can rarely find while camping, a short hike to a natural hot spring! The Warm Springs Trailhead is located almost a mile down Route 12 from the campground and from there an easy walk of under two miles will take you to one of the most popular hot springs in Clearwater National Forest.
Open from the end of April to late October, the 20 campsites are available only on a first-come, first-served basis. Pick up a fee envelope from the registration kiosk at the campground’s entrance before checking out the sites and keeping your fingers crossed for an empty spot. All sites are naturally surfaced and come with a picnic table and fire ring. Latrine-stye toilets are available in the campground as are a water pump and trash cans, but there are no hookups. The nearest dump facilities are located at Wilderness Gateway Campground.
Due to the short parking spurs of this small campground, a smaller campervan is best suited here.
With over two million acres of mountainous forests, the Clearwater National Forest contains a wealth of options to stretch your legs and leave your rig at the trailhead. There are a multitude of day hikes to multi-day backpacking treks. Most day hikes leave from campgrounds or parking areas adjacent to the main roadways. For a hike with a great reward, check out the Warm Springs Trail which leads to the very popular Jerry Johnson Hot Springs for a dip that will soothe tired muscles.
With the deep winter snows comes a chance to explore the vast forests and frozen streams of Clearwater National Forest on a sled. Over 100 miles of trails are groomed each season by the local snowmobile club. Nine trails leave from parking areas adjacent to campgrounds and provide routes to different sections of the forest. Pick up a trail map before venturing out. All snowmobiles need to be registered and a trail pass may be required for some areas.
Step into the quiet of nature in winter by heading out on your cross-country skis. Eleven routes are open to skiers every winter with varying ranges of difficulty. One of the most popular spots for cross-country skiers is the Fish Creek Recreation Area, which offers one to seven miles of packed trails.
