Aquarius Campground And Purple Beach Group Site
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!
More like this: first-come in Idaho
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 24 to Oct. 14 |
| Forest | Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests |
| Fees | Aquarius Campground sites are $10.00 per night. Purple Beach group sites are $15 per night. |
| Rules | Garbage services not available. Pack It In, Pack It Out. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 46.8416° N, 115.6189° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Barnyard Units Nfrd
6 mi from the campground · 41 acres
- WildfireMoose Mountain
20 mi from the campground · 5,832 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedRx Rescue Jensen Nfrd
23 mi from the campground · 44 acres
- PrescribedD4 Rx Simmons Peak
23 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
No site-by-site records, no amenities, no fee schedule, no directions or photos in the Recreation.gov record. What is here comes from the agency's own listing. The rest lives there.
Checked nightly. Modules appear as soon as the record fills in.
Explore
Worth a stop
- 0.8 miIsabella Landing Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 3.6 miIsabella Point Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miNorth Fork Down River ↗7 mi trail
- 1.3 miAnn Veseth0.8 mi trail
- 1.7 miBlack Mountain ↗8.1 mi trail
- 1.7 miPerceptor Point2.4 mi trail
- 1.7 miJune Saddle Z0.2 mi trail
- 2.2 miJune Saddle X0.3 mi trail
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.8 miIsabella Landing Trailhead ↗Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
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
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest begins about 0.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.8 miNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,072,795 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
- Mallard Peak LookoutBuilding · Avery · 8 mi
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Aquarius Campground And Purple Beach Group Site?
No. Aquarius Campground And Purple Beach Group Site is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Aquarius Campground And Purple Beach Group Site?
Aquarius Campground sites are $10.00 per night. Purple Beach group sites are $15 per night.
Source: Forest Service
Is Aquarius Campground And Purple Beach Group Site open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 24 to Oct. 14.
Source: Forest Service status
What if Aquarius Campground And Purple Beach Group Site is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Washington Creek Campground (10.1 mi, first-come), Noe Creek Campground (16.1 mi, first-come), and Weitas Creek Campground (16.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby