Johnson Bar Group Site
Johnson Bar Group Site is situated in a large, open field along the Selway River. The site is perfect for gatherings of up to 100 people, with room for tents and RVs. The site offers access to many recreational activities and sightseeing opportunities.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | People / vehicles |
|---|---|
| 001 | 100 / 20 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
The accessible group site can accommodate a maximum of 100 people. It is equipped with a campfire circle, two smaller campfire rings, picnic tables and drinking water. Vault toilets are adjacent to the site, and groups of 25 or more are required to rent 1-3 portable toilets. Individual campsites are located on either side of the group site on a first-come, first served basis.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May 12 to Individual camping open year round as snow allows; group campsite closed after September 30 |
| Forest | Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests |
| Booking | The group site can be reserved from mid-May through September. To make a reservation, visit Johnson Bar on Recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | The campground units are $8.00 per night and the group site is $40.00 per night. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Johnson Bar Group Site is located 4.5 miles east of Lowell, ID on Forest Road 223 (Selway River Road). The group site is between the paved road and the river.
| Nearest town | Kooskia, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 46.1036° N, 115.5592° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Stray Creek Lcrd
12 mi from the campground · 150 acres
- PrescribedRx Rescue Jensen Nfrd
28 mi from the campground · 44 acres
- PrescribedRx Barnyard Units Nfrd
46 mi from the campground · 41 acres
- WildfireMoose Mountain
49 mi from the campground · 5,832 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Rae Bros. Sporting Goods ↗ | 29.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
An 11-mile sightseeing drive from Lowell to Selway Falls offers visitors opportunities to appreciate the pristine beauty of the Selway Wild and Scenic River and picturesque Selway Falls. Johnson Bar is near the Fenn Ranger Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 11.6 mi
Trails nearby
- 1 miHot Point ↗5.2 mi trail
- 2.1 miCCC Trail ↗5.4 mi trail
- 2.6 miO'Hara Nature Loop0.5 mi trail
- 2.7 miStillman Ridge4.2 mi trail
- 3.2 miSwiftwater Crosscut2.8 mi trail
- 3.3 miPeterson Burn1.1 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.
- inNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,072,795 acres
- 14.1 miSelway-Bitterroot Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 1,347,644 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Weippe Community HallBuilding · Weippe · 8.3 mi
- Big Cedar SchoolBuilding · Kooskia · 12.3 mi
Natural features
In the heart of north central Idaho, rugged peaks, deep canyons, dense forests and remote wilderness comprise the Nez Perce National Forest. Due in large part to dramatic elevational differences, the forest supports a wide variety of vegetation, from cedar groves to desert ecosystems. Johnson Bar is located in the Selway Wild and Scenic River Corridor, an area known for its rugged natural beauty and wildlife.
Recreation
The Selway River is a destination fly fishing experience for cutthroat and rainbow trout and is also well-known for whitewater rafting. Several trailheads for hiking and biking are accessible from Selway River Road and lead into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness area. Johnson Bar offers beach and boating access.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Johnson Bar Group Site?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Johnson Bar Group Site?
The campground units are $8.00 per night and the group site is $40.00 per night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Johnson Bar Group Site?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Johnson Bar Group Site open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 12 to Individual camping open year round as snow allows; group campsite closed after September 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Johnson Bar Group Site have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Johnson Bar Group Site?
Johnson Bar Group Site is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Johnson Bar Group Site?
The Selway River is a destination fly fishing experience for cutthroat and rainbow trout and is also well-known for whitewater rafting. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Johnson Bar Group Site?
Kooskia, Idaho. An 11-mile sightseeing drive from Lowell to Selway Falls offers visitors opportunities to appreciate the pristine beauty of the Selway Wild and Scenic River and picturesque Selway Falls.
Source: Getting there
What if Johnson Bar Group Site is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are CCC Campground (2 mi, first-come), Ohara (2.4 mi, partly first-come), and Race Creek Campground (3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby