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Caribou-Targhee/Cloverleaf
Overview
The Cloverleaf Campground offers a serene retreat within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Located in the heart of St. Charles Canyon, it provides a classic forest camping experience for those seeking peace and quiet. This site serves as a vital gateway to the high-elevation wonders of southeastern Idaho, offering a cool, shaded alternative to the busier lakeside developments nearby. It is an ideal spot for those who want to experience the rugged mountain beauty of the region while remaining close to the recreational opportunities of the surrounding valley.
Location & Surroundings
Tucked away in the scenic St. Charles Canyon, the park is surrounded by a lush forest of conifers and mountain brush. The elevation provides a crisp mountain atmosphere and a significant break from the summer heat found in the lowlands. St. Charles Creek winds through the area, adding the soothing sound of running water to the landscape. Its proximity to the north end of Bear Lake allows for easy transitions between alpine forest exploration and waterfront recreation in a matter of minutes.
Amenities & Park Features
Cloverleaf is a traditional site focused on primitive camping and natural immersion. Each site is designed to highlight the beauty of the canyon rather than offer modern suburban comforts. Key park features include:
- Individual picnic tables and fire rings for outdoor cooking
- Access to well-maintained vault toilets
- Seasonally available potable water for campers
While there are no electrical or water hookups, the well-spaced sites provide ample privacy and shade, accommodating smaller RVs and camper vans looking for an authentic dry camping experience under the stars.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The standout attraction is the Minnetonka Cave, a fascinating limestone cavern located just a short drive further up the canyon road. Visitors can also spend their days at Bear Lake, often called the Caribbean of the Rockies due to its intense blue water. For those who enjoy the trail, the surrounding national forest offers miles of hiking and biking paths that showcase the rugged beauty of the Idaho backcountry. Wildlife viewing is also a popular pastime, as the canyon is home to a variety of native species.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is ideal for travelers who prioritize natural scenery over modern resort conveniences. It is a fantastic choice for those planning a visit to the local caves or looking for a quiet basecamp for Bear Lake adventures without the crowds. It is best suited for small to mid-sized RVs and van lifers who enjoy a tranquil mountain setting and a chance to disconnect from the digital world in favor of campfire stories and forest hikes.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Naomi Andersen
Maybe we just got unlucky. But I would not recommend this campground. The urinal kept endlessly flushing the whole time we were there. We told the camp host and she seemed unfazed. Then the next morning we woke up to sewage seeping up through the ground under and around our tent. I assume the endlessly flushing urinal filled up the septic. It was smelling and disgusting. We told the camp host and she said there was nothing she could do about it. We had to come home and sanitize our tent, and sleeping pads. On top of that, there was a massive stinging nettle plant on our walk to the bathroom. And anytime we got out a bit of food wasps swarmed us. The bathrooms were gross, they didn’t flush very well, and they didn’t have any soap. FYI you have to haul your trash out.
Kim Lopez
We drove two hours to this campground hoping to reserve a site for an upcoming trip. Many spots are labeled "first come, first serve," but it was clear others had reserved ahead of time. We arrived around 11 AM, found an open site with available dates, and spent over four hours trying to speak with the camp host to confirm availability. Despite knocking multiple times on their RV and waiting patiently, no one ever answered or came by. Another camper told us she hadn’t seen the host either and had been trying to buy firewood with no luck. After returning from the bathroom, we noticed the host changed the reservation tag on the exact site we’d been waiting to reserve, without ever speaking to us. The complete lack of communication and assistance was incredibly frustrating. If early reservations are being accepted, there should be someone available to manage that. Sadly, I wouldn’t recommend this campground based on our experience.
Paul Sharp
Beautiful campground with lush trees, making campsites more private. Flush toilets too!
Jeremy Torgersen
Camped at Cloverleaf Campground for a week and it was a good place to camp overall. Plenty of trees, just down the road from the Minnetonka cave, not too far from Bear Lake, but also far enough away. The downside is that where we camped at the entrance where the sign and pay station is, there was some traffic noise, we also got a lot of other campers and vehicles stopping right in front of our campsite and asking us questions thinking that we were the camp hosts, when they were actually back behind us. It would be nice if there was some more privacy with either a fence or some more trees or shrubs in front of that location so that we didn't get bombarded with questions from other people.
Flying Dutchman
Great campground..nice paved spots spaced enough to give privacy. Fairly easy to maneuver in though larger rigs may find some places tight. I was there a week and it was mostly empty except for the weekend when every spot was taken. It seems that lots of people come for the weekends and stay here while going to Bear Lake for the day. It's a mix of reservable and first come sites. Lots of water spouts to get drinking water but only one bathroom which wasn't a problem till the weekend when the campground was full...too many people for a single toilet for the men though the women's side had two. The host, who wasn't on site did a big cleaning after the weekend crew and it was stocked well the rest of the time. Quiet campground and peaceful, at least in my experience. No cell reception in the area. Access to streams and hiking right from the campground. Garbage is located on the road leading up to several of the campgrounds but was over full and in need of emptying. Overall a great place to stay @ $20 a night if you are in the area.