Mount Heyburn Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Sitting above Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth National Forest, Mount Heyburn Campground draws campers who want direct access to one of central Idaho's most-visited alpine lakes without staying at the water's edge. Sites are large and well-spaced, with some offering open sightlines toward the lake and a long corridor of lodgepole pines to the rear. The campground sits above Sockeye Campground, which occupies the lakefront below, but the separation means Mount Heyburn feels less congested on most summer weekends.

Water access is a short walk away, and the lake connects to several trailheads that range from easy lakeside loops to longer backpacking routes. Anglers, paddlers, and hikers all find reasons to base here. The Redfish Lake Lodge, adjacent to the campground cluster, has a restaurant, boat and kayak rentals, a camp store, and pay showers for $3. Cell coverage is limited, particularly for AT&T users, though wifi is available at the lodge.

The campground runs June through Labor Day and does not allow pets. A camp host is typically on site and sells firewood at rates reviewers found more reasonable than Stanley-area stores. As Miles G. notes, the water is "refreshing and extremely clear." Vault toilets are kept clean. Campers planning a July 4th visit may find the campground fills quickly, but arrivals earlier in the week have reported finding sites without difficulty. Pack layers regardless of the month since nights run cold even in midsummer.

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Map & DirectionsMount Heyburn Campground is located in Idaho near Stanley

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

44.1354 N
114.9145 W

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Connectivity

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    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/18/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/18/26

Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 8/18/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/18/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Mount Heyburn Campground

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4.5

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5 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned clean, large sites with beautiful lake views and well-maintained facilities. Many visitors appreciated the friendly hosts and convenient amenities, though summer nights can be quite cold.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jul. 13, 2026

Spacious sites in the forest

We had such a great stay! We came the Monday after 4th of July. We attempted to stay at Sockeye Campground first, but they were already full by 1pm. We came to Mount Heyburn by 1:15pm on a Monday and there were maybe 5 spots open.

We chose site 12 which was a pull through. SO SPACIOUS! Tons of shade. Great picnic tables and fire pit.

We stayed 4 nights, leaving on Friday morning. The campground was full every single night. Only reason I’m giving it 4 stars is because it feels a little risky loading up and heading there unsure whether you’ll get a spot or not. Glad we got lucky!

There are no hookups, but there are 2 separate pit toilets and a few water spigots around the campsite. Dumpsters for trash too. We brought our generator and fired it up for a few hours in the mater afternoon for air conditioning, and to charge phones. We filled up with fresh water before arriving.

There’s a dump station right on the at in/out called Stanley Ranger Station Dump Station. You can fill fresh water before, and dump tanks on the way out. $12 fee for the dump station.

It’s walkable to Redfish lake, or you can drive there in less than 2 minutes. Plenty of free parking at the lake.

Sockeye campground has better views of the lake, but I feel like Mount Heyburn is way more spacious and remote feeling. The sites are well spread out.

Just $24 a night! You can stay up to 10 nights. The camp host was fine. There’s firewood available to purchase. I think it was $10 a bundle? We brought our own firewood.

Will definitely be back! We loved lake days, got dinner in town 1 night, reserved a hot spring at mountain village resort (highly recommend!), brought our SUP to redfish lake, let the kids swim and play in the sand, easy fishing for kids at the lake, got soft serve ice cream at Redfish Lake Lodge at sunset one night (another amazing spot to spend the day!). Enough room at the campsite we could hike above and set up bow and arrow target practice safely away from other campers. We loved walks around the campground after dinner. I wish we would have brought bikes for the kids to ride! Perfect little loop!

Site12
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Natalie G., July 13, 2026
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Natalie G., July 13, 2026
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Natalie G., July 13, 2026
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2021

Best lake in Idaho

Come prepared for cold nights even in the summer. Water will be just as cold unless its August but it's refreshing and extremely clear. Clean campground with fire ring. Camp hosts were very nice.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Miles G., August 18, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Miles G., August 18, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2021

No. You are not dreaming

This place is not a dream.... this campground was full. So we stayed down the street at Mtn View. Regardless. We went to investigate in order to report with first hand knowledge

On one of the most beloved and popular lakes in the Sawtooth. Redfish Lake. Gorgeous views. Any kind of water sports you crave. Backpacking destination trails. Short or long hiking. Biking. The lodge next door offers live music on the lawn. A restaurant with really good food, full bar, ice cream stand, camp store, sandy beach, boat/kayak/SUP rentals. Boat shuttle. All this and close to Stanley to boot. It reminds me of the lake retreat in Dirty Dancing. There are pay showers $3, laundry and dump station on the main road. Very limited, ok just say no AT&T cell, but you can get wifi at the lodge.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Nancy C., July 26, 2021
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Nancy C., July 26, 2021
  • main road leading to the campground
    Play button icon
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2019

Beautiful and Quiet

We stayed here for four nights the weekend prior to July 4th weekend. Our expectations were that it would be full and would be a bit difficult to find a site as it is first come, but we were wrong. When we arrived on Thursday morning the campground was almost completely empty. We easily found a great site that gave a view of Redfish Lake and the long stretch of lodgepoles behind us. Sockeye Campground was below us on the lake but you won’t even know from our site. The vault toilets were clean and maintained. There was a campground host on site who were friendly and provide firewood for $7 a bundle which was significantly better than in town at the Stanley market. There are several trailheads that are an easy walk through woods to find in Sockeye and trails that go around the lake with beautiful views. We will definitely be returning for another long weekend.

  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Charles M., June 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Charles M., June 30, 2019
  • Review photo of Mount Heyburn Campground by Charles M., June 30, 2019
  • (7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Mount Heyburn Campground?

The best time to visit Mount Heyburn Campground is during mid-summer through early fall, particularly in August when the water temperature is most comfortable for swimming. Late June through early September offers the most pleasant camping weather, though be prepared for cold nights even in summer. Weekdays or early arrival on Thursdays can significantly improve your chances of securing a site during peak season, as the campground can fill up completely by weekends, especially around holidays like July 4th.

What amenities are available at Mount Heyburn Campground?

Mount Heyburn Campground offers clean, large campsites with fire rings for cooking and evening campfires. The campground has camp hosts on site to assist visitors. While amenities are basic, the campground provides access to Redfish Lake for swimming, fishing, and various water sports. The water is extremely clear but remains cold most of the year. The natural setting and views are the main attraction, rather than extensive facilities. Prepare for a more rustic camping experience focused on enjoying the beautiful lake and mountain surroundings.

Where is Mount Heyburn Campground located near Redfish Lake?

Mount Heyburn Campground is located directly on the shores of Redfish Lake in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains. It's one of several campgrounds situated around this popular alpine lake, providing campers with immediate access to the water and spectacular views of the surrounding mountain landscape. The campground sits in a prime location for enjoying all the recreational activities that Redfish Lake offers, making it a sought-after destination for outdoor enthusiasts visiting the Sawtooth region.