About NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND - St. CHARLES CANYON
Overview North Fork Campground is located in scenic St. Charles Canyon in southern Idaho, near Bear Lake. Visitors enjoy hiking, biking, horseback riding and motorcycling on local trails, and fishing in St. Charles Creek.Recreation North Fork Trail, which has a trailhead within the campground, is open to motorcycles, horses, hikers and mountain bikers and connects with the Highline Trail, a 55-mile path along the backbone of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game manages the river fisheries, providing 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 an accessible group site that can accommodate a maximum of 50 guests. The group site is made up of five smaller sites. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are vault toilets. Roads and parking spurs are gravel.Natural Features A dense, mixed growth conifer forest covers the campground. St. Charles Creek flows gently through the site. Nearby Attractions Minnetonka Cave is a short distance from the campground. Scenic Canyons offers guided, 90-minute tours through the nine-room cave with formations called the Bride and Groom, Three Sisters and Devil's Kingdom. The cave temperature is 40 degrees and the path through it includes 444 steps. Tickets must be purchased at the cave entrance. Bear Lake's North Beach is 12 miles from the campground, offering swimming and fishing opportunities on one of the Inter-mountain West's largest natural lakes. Bear Lake State Park Marina is 20 miles from the campground, with a seven-lane boat ramp, boat rentals, slips, a snack bar and general store.
How to Get There
From Garden City, Utah, take Highway 89 north to St. Charles, Idaho. Drive west from St. Charles along Forest Road 412 for 8.1 miles, then turn right and follow the dirt road a short distance to the campground.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND - St. CHARLES CANYON
Heading to NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND - St. CHARLES CANYON? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND - St. CHARLES CANYON?
No central reservation system listed for NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND - St. CHARLES CANYON. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233288) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND - St. CHARLES CANYON?
From Garden City, Utah, take Highway 89 north to St. Charles, Idaho. Drive west from St. Charles along Forest Road 412 for 8.1 miles, then turn right and follow the dirt road a short distance to the campground.
How do I contact NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND - St. CHARLES CANYON?
You can reach the park at phone: 541-351-1182 or email: bryce@sceniccanyons.com.
References & Official Resources
