Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests — riverside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
POTLATCH, ID, ID★ 4.1 (37 reviews)From $20/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
Elk Creek Campground offers visitors a little bit of everything. From scenic views and vistas, to attractive waterfalls and ancient foliage, the campground provides a great place to stay in the mountains of north central Idaho. Recreational opportunities abound in the area and a variety of services are located nearby.The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping, most of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservation needed).
Best for:AnglersHikersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV40 ft
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsDrinking WaterFishing
Recreation
Picnic TablesShowers
Family & Pets
Vault ToiletsElectric Hookups
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV electric hookups — most sites lack them✕ You plan to visit outside May-October — campground is seasonal✕ You prefer established facilities — amenities are basic (vault toilets, no full hookups)
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground
Arrive late on weekday nights for better availability, per Google reviews
Bring your own hookups or plan for self-contained RV use
Best: May-October
Official operating season for the campground
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Gray wolves and Columbian ground squirrels present in area; also cedar waxwings, violet-green swallows, yellow-headed blackbirds, and tree swallows.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
208-875-1131· Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Getting there →
From Moscow, Idaho, travel northeast on State Road 8 to Elk River. Turn north onto Forest Road 382 and then east onto Forest Road 1705. The campground is about 45 minutes from Moscow.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) cost per night?+
Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) costs $20 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) open?+
Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf)?+
Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.
How do I make reservations at Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf)?+
Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf)?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) open, and what are check-in times?+
Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$20 /night★ 4.1 (37)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) cost per night?+
What season is Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) open?+
Does Elk Creek Campground (Clearwater Nf) have hookups?+
All 7 questions →Nearby Campgrounds
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