Established Camping
Stanley Lake Campground
About
National Forest
Sawtooth National Forest
Overview
Stanley Lake Campground is located on the shoreline above beautiful Stanley Lake at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Recreation
Stanley Lake offers excellent boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook and bull trout. A boat ramp is located just outside the campground. The Idaho Centennial Trail passes nearby and can be accessed from the Stanley Lake Trailhead across the lake.
Facilities
The campground offers 17 reservable sites, as well as additional first come, first served sites. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and spurs within the site are gravel. A scenic overlook is located next to sites 3 and 4, with outstanding views of McGowan Peak and Stanley Lake. Painters and photographers frequent the overlook to capture the views.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on a hillside above the lake in a thick grove of lodgepole pines, at an elevation of 6,500 feet. Most campsites have partial shade and views of the lake and/or the rugged 9860-foot McGowan Peak. Temperatures are cool, with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
Nearby Attractions
Stanley Lake lies within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which offers a myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities. An estimated 750 miles of trails crisscross the valley and surrounding mountains. Numerous sparkling lakes and streams, including the Salmon River, dot the area, making for great rainbow and native Westslope cutthroat trout fishing. Redfish Lake is nearby, offering additional water recreation opportunities. Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Lovely view of the Sawtooths
Nice view of the lake. Quiet time of year to visit.
Beautiful but dusty
What a beautiful campground with the views of the lake and mountains. Our site was perfect for our 23’ travel trailer and well maintained. While we did not have cell service at the campground (Verizon), the short drive to Stanley provided that when needed. There is constant traffic from site seekers and continual dusting because of it. Our only complaint was campers not following the leash rules for their dogs or stopping them from being aggressive towards us on the trails.
Incredible views
This is a very popular campground for a reason. Incredible views from about half of the sites. Some of them are reservable and some walk up. Check out the videos for a realistic view of the sites. Unfortunately, fires have made it very hazy. Even so....the views are to die for.
Intermittent at&t at best. But I'd just accept there most likely won't be any and enjoy the views, the water activities and hiking.
Stanley has plenty of activities if you need. Free live music, supper club is amazing, pizza place...oh yeah! Kasino club is great local hangout. Sawtooth Luce is suppose to have the best burgers, but as a vegan, I passed. Most places in town did have vegan options though.
Be advised, if you have a watercraft, you will need a permit (available online). That goes for paddleboard, kayaks, etc. They are only $7 per craft. Also, you MUST have a life jacket and whistle on board. They check
Location
Stanley Lake Campground is located in Idaho
Directions
Travel 4.5 miles west of Stanley, Idaho on State Highway 21. Turn on paved Stanley Lake Road and drive 3 miles to the campground.
Address
SAWTOOTH
ID
Coordinates
44.2486111 N
115.0525 W