Devils Elbow Campground
Wallace, Idaho · on North Fork Coeur d'Alene River · Coeur d'Alene National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $26
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Devils Elbow Campground
Devils Elbow Campground is a 20-site USFS campground on the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, about 11 miles north of Prichard, Idaho. Recreation.gov lists it with a designated swimming site alongside fishing and rafting, making this an officially recognized swimming hole and a legitimate river to swim in rather than an informal find.
The campground sits at about 2,600 feet elevation in the Coeur d'Alene Mountains, directly on the banks of the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River, reached via a paved Forest Service road (FR 208) north of the small community of Prichard, Idaho.
Swimming at Devils Elbow Campground
Swimming happens directly off the riverbank at the campground's designated swimming site on the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River. A visitor review describes the current as fast early in the season (too strong for kids to play in) but slower and presumably more swimmable later in summer; the same stretch is also used for rafting (Class I-III rapids downstream) and kayaking, indicating moving current rather than still water.
How to get to this swimming hole
From I-90 take Exit 43 (Kingston), go 20 miles north on Highway 9 to Prichard, then continue 11 miles north on Forest Road 208 to the campground.
Parking: Paved campground roads with short but wide parking spurs, able to fit a vehicle alongside a trailer; maximum two vehicles per campsite.
The hike in
Swimming happens directly off the riverbank at the campground itself (Recreation.gov lists a designated on-site swimming site), so no hike is needed to reach the water. Campendium notes informal foot trails continuing along the river valley to nearby Downey Creek and Valitons Creek for those who want to explore further, but these are optional extensions, not access routes to the swim spot.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Swimming is directly off the riverbank at the campground's designated swim site rather than a beach or roped-off area. A Campendium reviewer visiting in late May found the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River 'pretty fast right now... still too fast for kids to play in it,' expecting it to 'slow down later in summer.' No lifeguards, ropes, or designated shallow area were found in any source, so suitability likely depends heavily on season/flow.
Parking
Paid, No separate parking/day-use fee found; access is via paid campsites at $26-$102/night depending on site (per Recreation.gov), which include one vehicle, with paved parking spurs wide enough for a vehicle-and-trailer combo.
Two-vehicle max per campsite; additional vehicles charged a daily fee, cash/check only at check-in.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets in the campground (a visitor review called them 'nice clean vault toilets'); hand-pump drinking water also on site. No separate day-use restroom noted.
On the water
Recreation.gov lists 'rafting, swimming and kayaking' as favorite activities on this stretch, with Class I-III rapids further downstream from the campground; Campendium corroborates rafting/kayaking as popular here. No mention of canoes, paddleboards, or motorized craft, and no explicit put-in/take-out or no-wake restrictions were found.
What regulars say
One visitor (May 2021, $21/night at the time) described the river as fast-flowing and 'too fast for kids to play in it' in late spring, expecting conditions to mellow later in summer; the same visitor praised the vault toilets as clean and noted paved parking spurs fit a vehicle-and-trailer combo. Broader crowd and clarity sentiment could not be confirmed beyond this single report.
Devils Elbow Campground: FAQ
Does Devils Elbow Campground charge a fee?
Camping fee of $26-$102 per night depending on site; one vehicle included per reservation, additional vehicles charged daily (cash/check only at check-in). No separate day-use/swim fee was found.
Is Devils Elbow Campground kid friendly?
Swimming is directly off the riverbank at the campground's designated swim site rather than a beach or roped-off area. A Campendium reviewer visiting in late May found the North Fork Coeur d'Alene River 'pretty fast right now... still too fast for kids to play in it,' expecting it to 'slow down later in summer.' No lifeguards, ropes, or designated shallow area were found in any source, so suitability likely depends heavily on season/flow.
Do I need to hike to reach Devils Elbow Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Devils Elbow Campground?
Two-vehicle max per campsite; additional vehicles charged a daily fee, cash/check only at check-in.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Devils Elbow Campground?
Recreation.gov lists 'rafting, swimming and kayaking' as favorite activities on this stretch, with Class I-III rapids further downstream from the campground; Campendium corroborates rafting/kayaking as popular here. No mention of canoes, paddleboards, or motorized craft, and no explicit put-in/take-out or no-wake restrictions were found.
When is the best time to visit Devils Elbow Campground?
Summer, though river flow is described as fast and less suitable for kids early in the season, slowing down and becoming calmer later in summer.
What are the rules at Devils Elbow Campground?
14-day stay limit per 30-day period; food must be stored in bear-resistant containers or locked vehicles due to bears in the area; firewood should be sourced locally and burned on-site; some sites are first-come, first-served.
What water body is Devils Elbow Campground on?
Devils Elbow Campground is on North Fork Coeur d'Alene River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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