Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site

About this campsite

Aquarius Campground boasts 9 developed sites and 2 group campsites (Purple Beach) on the bank of the scenic North Fork of the Clearwater River. Swimming, fly fishing, tubing and whitewater rafting (May and June) are just a few of the many water sports frequently enjoyed by visitors here. Hunters, anglers, and families looking for a quiet spot to take a dip and get away with the kids can all find respite here. Hiking trails near the campground take hikers and backpackers alike into the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area and to the Black Mountain summit, one of the few remaining places in Idaho where Mountain Goats can still be seen!

Location

Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site•ID

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

WED☁️

19° / 13°

💧 16%

TODAY☁️

24° / 11°

💧 3%

FRI☁️

25° / 13°

💧 1%

SAT☁️

28° / 10°

—

SUN☀️

30° / 11°

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Common questions about Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site

Can you book Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site online?

We hold no online booking link for Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site?

Aquarius Campground and Purple Beach Group Site sits in ID. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

16.3 km away

Washington Creek Campground

Crossing the bridge over to Washington Creek Campground, visitors gain a splendid view overlooking the North Fork of the Clearwater River. This campground offers one host site and 23 campsites (including one group site). Each site contains a gravel parking pad, picnic table and fire ring, with access to 5 restrooms and 3 water spigots which are distributed around the loop for visitors’ convenience. Washington Ridge Trail departs from the campground, offering visitors quick access to higher elevation perspective. The trail is open to hikers, stock users, bicyclists and motorcycles. With river access along the full length of the campground, the area also offers ample opportunities for fishing, swimming or just dipping one’s toes in the crisp clear water.

18.2 km away

SURVEYORS LOOKOUT

Overview Located near the Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area Attractions, Surveyors Lookout is perched atop a 30 foot tower, providing phenomenal views of Snow Peak and the surrounding mountains. The cabin is listed on the National Historic Register for Lookouts and offers visitors a unique camping experience in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The original pole structure lookout was built in 1931 as part of a network of lookouts used to spot fires in the Upper St. Joe Country. The original lookout was replaced with the current treated timber structure in 1964. Access to the lookout is via a rugged single-lane road with pullouts, and is not recommended for low clearance vehicles. Road may be slick when wet. Recreation The Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area straddles the divide between the Little North Fork Clearwater River basins and the North Fork Clearwater River. This beautiful area attracts hikers and some technical rock climbers. Hunting and trout fishing are offered in designated areas. From the lookout, there is access to Scribner Falls Trail #106 and nearby access to Surveyor's Ridge Trail #40, Horseshoe Loop Trail #141, and Northbound Creek Trail #111. A scenic drive through the upper St. Joe country is an excellent way to take in the sights leading up to the lookout. Facilities Surveyors Lookout can accommodate up to four guests. Furnishings include a propane cook stove, heater and lights. A twin bed and two extra mattresses are provided, along with a chest with some drawers. A refrigerator is also available, but it is very small and unreliable. It is recommended that guests bring a cooler with ice as backup. Cooking pots and utensils are included. No drinking water is available; guests should bring plenty of their own. An alternate option is to collect water from a spring located 1.4 miles down the access road. This water is non-potable and must be boiled or treated before consuming. Items to pack include food, bedding, a first aid kit, dish soap, towels, toiletries and binoculars. If planning to collect water from a stream, water containers are needed. Guests are advised to bring warm clothes and blankets for cold evenings. Although a heater is provided, the lookout is not insulated so it remains cold. Natural Features Surveyors Lookout is located atop Surveyors Ridge at an elevation of 6,000 feet. The 30 foot tower overlooks the spectacular Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area, which straddles the divide between the Little North Fork Clearwater River basins and the North Fork Clearwater River. Snow Peak, Middle Sister and Mallard Peak Lookouts are still standing and can be seen from Surveyors. Nearby Attractions Avery is the nearest town for conveniences.

22.6 km away

Grandad Caampground

Campground: Grandad Caampground.

24.8 km away

Cold Springs Peak Cabin - Clearwater NF (ID)

Overview As a qualifying inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places, the primitive 12'x14' log cabin was originally constructed to shelter firefighters and other work crews in 1931. Although Forest Service personnel and volunteers shored up the cabin’s foundation, re-shingled the roof and installed a wood heating stove, guests must bring their own supplies and gear for a comfortable stay as there are no linens, cleaning supplies, or toiletries provided. The popular cabin is perched on a ridge line just off Pot Mountain trail #169 overlooking the Elizabeth Creek drainage and Ice Lake. The trailhead to the cabin is not assessable with low clearance vehicles, and the 2 plus miles of trail from the trailhead to the cabin is a moderately difficult, multi-use trail with several steep grades. Although assessable by OHV's less than 50" in width, the roads and trails leading to the cabin can be partially or fully blocked by debris or snowpack in the early season. Off trail/road motorized travel is strictly prohibited. Visitors are strongly advised to consult the forest website, as well as a map prior to reserving or traveling to the cabin and to call the district information desk with any questions. Recreation Due to the unique location, the cabin is an ideal base camp for those looking to reconnect with nature, or as a stopover for a variety of outdoor enthusiasts as they explore the district. Multiple mountain lakes in the vicinity provides a welcome challenge for the avid adventurer looking to find the many secluded fishing holes. There are also several other trails in the vicinity that offer connection to a host of recreation opportunities including; berry picking, hiking, biking, sightseeing, and birding being the most popular. Recreate responsibly, be sure to check the regulations and rules to educate yourself before you recreate by visiting https://idfg.idaho.gov/ and https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/nezperceclearwater/news-events for up to date information. Facilities The cabin is a 1930’s primitive structure only providing a shelter from the elements. Two spring beds, a small table with a couple chairs, a modern wood stove, and a pit toilet outhouse are the only amenities provided. There is only one stream as a reasonable water source approximately 1 mile from the cabin on trail #169 that requires treatment before consumption. Guests are required to pick up after their pets/stock, pack out their trash, and clean the cabin before they check-out with the provided broom under the “Leave it Cleaner than when you arrived” and the “Pack it in Pack it out” policies so everyone may enjoy their stay. Natural Features The cabin is tucked into a narrow, rocky saddle, atop steep, nearly vertical cliffs directly adjacent to Cold Springs Peak. At almost 6,731 feet, guests enjoy open views of the Bitterroot Mountains to the east as well as a bird’s eye view of the Elizabeth Creek drainage, Ice Lake, and a small meadow directly below the cabin. The area boasts a wide diversity of wildlife and birds, so visitors never know what to expect while enjoying the scenery, but mule deer, mountain lion, black bear, elk, Mountain Bluebird, Mountain Jay, Raven, and Tanager are the most common. Seasonal changes can be particularly enjoyable as the storms blow through the saddle, or the extraordinary fall colors back dropped with mountains capped by advancing snow late in the season. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (208) 476-4541. Nearby Attractions The North Fork ranger district prides itself on the diversity of world class recreational opportunities ranging from bird/wildlife watching, big game hunting, whitewater rafting, leisurely floats, secluded backpacking/equestrian trails into the high mountain backcountry, to motorized OHV trail systems providing unique experiences that draw visitors from around the world and all walks of lif

26.0 km away

Noe Creek Campground

This six unit campground has an almost park-like aesthetic and is nestled in groves of fir and larch with views of the North Fork River. Whether coming for the day to fish or to stay for a couple nights with your family, Noe Creek Campground is a nice choice if you're looking for a quiet and peaceful spot to get away.