American River
Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. American River is a National Forest campground near Elk City, Idaho.
First-come, first-served
- National Forest
- Managed by
American River sits inside Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.
Getting a site
- Managed by
- National Forest
- Reservations
- None, first-come
- Fee
- Free
Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-30
What's there
- ✓ Toilets
- ✓ Fire rings
On site: Toilets and fire rings.
Access and cell service
- Elevation
- 4,261 ft
45.8976, -115.4509 in Idaho. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Common questions
Do you need a reservation at American River?
No. American River is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.
How much does it cost to camp at American River?
Camping at American River is free.
Who manages American River?
American River is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Around American River
- Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Free
- Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Free
- Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Not on record
- Sites
- Not on record
- Season
- Not on record
- Fee
- Free
More campgrounds: camping near Elk City and campgrounds in Idaho.
Sources
- apps.fs.usda.gov (all fields), accessed 2026-09-30
- epqs.nationalmap.gov (elevationFt), accessed 2026-10-01