St. Joe
4. Bluff Creek to Turner Flat Campground(St. Joe)
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 12 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 3, 2021 |
River Description
The stretch of river from Bluff Creek to Turner Flat is class II along Highway 50, a paved two-lane road. A number of campgrounds and dispersed camping areas provide several options for camping along the river. There are also dedicated boat launches suitable for rafts and several places where kayaks can get down to the river. Although the run is along the road, the forested landscape and rock outcrops make for a scenic float. As flows drop in July, the water warms creating some wonderful swimming holes. This is also a good section for trout fishing.
River Features
River Access, Put-in
A formal river access site 1.3 miles downstream of the Bluff Creek Bridge at Highway 50 mile 67.8 provides easy access for rafts or kayaks and parking off the highway.
Eagle Creek River Access
The Eagle Creek boat launch is on the downstream side of the Eagle Creek confluence at Highway 50 mile 64.4.
Nugget Creek Campground
Small camping area at Highway 50 mile 63.6, less than a mile downstream of the Eagle Creek confluence.
Tin Can Flat Campground
Tin Can Flat Campground features 11 camp units, potable water (June-October), and vault toilets. No obvious access to the river is available here other than through individual campsites.
River Access
A dispersed camping area with a formal river access site at the downstream end at Highway 50 mile 57.6.
Turner Flat Campground, take-out
The Turner Flat Campground (Highway 50 mile 55.9) features 10 camp units, 1 group camping area to accommodate up to 15 people, potable water (June-October), and vault toilets. Sites 2, 3, and 4 are interconnected and include the group camping area with a field that has a few tent sites for a group. The rest of the campsites are in the forest. River access for rafts or kayaks is easy here. If the campground is full, kayakers can access the river near the upstream exit of the campground at the Trail 17 bridge (Highway 50 mile 56.4).
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportScenic section of the St. Joe suitable for class II paddlers. A few members of our group did the run.