Best Cabin Camping near Challis, ID

Several cabin camping options surround the Challis, Idaho region, providing rustic accommodations with varying amenities. The Yellowjacket Guard Station in Salmon offers a historic cabin experience with basic facilities including a fire ring and pit toilet. According to one visitor, "This is one of the coolest places I have ever stayed... the guard station is a lovely building." The Sawmill Station in Clayton provides more modern cabin rentals with electric hookups, showers, and on-site dining. Andreas on the River RV Park in Salmon features cabins with private decks overlooking the river, complete with full hookups and shower facilities. Most cabins include picnic tables and access to communal bathrooms, while some offer private bathroom facilities.

Rustic cabins and furnished cabin options vary significantly throughout the area, with most requiring advance reservations during peak summer months. Pet-friendly cabins can be found at several locations including Stanley RV + Camp, which operates from May 15 to October 15. The Yellowjacket Guard Station allows pets and provides a more secluded forest cabin experience. Cabin sizes range from small one-room structures to larger family accommodations. One guest at The Sawmill Station noted, "The staff was very friendly and accommodating. They even have a cafe and patio in the office where you can check in that has delicious food, milkshakes, and cocktails." Most cabins in the region have limited or no cell service, creating a true disconnect from technology.

Most cabin rentals provide beds with mattresses but require guests to bring their own bedding, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary widely, from basic fire rings to cabins with small refrigerators and microwaves. The Salmon Gypsy Bed & Breakfast offers more fully equipped cabin options with drinking water, showers, and toilets. Visitors should pack all food supplies, though some locations like The Sawmill Station have on-site markets or restaurants. Firewood is available for purchase at several locations, including Mount Heyburn Campground where it was noted to be significantly cheaper than in town. During colder months, extra blankets are recommended as mountain temperatures can drop significantly at night, even in summer.

Best Cabin Sites Near Challis, Idaho (13)

    1. Deadman Hole

    4 Reviews
    Clayton, ID
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 879-6200

    "A fire ring, shade cover and picnic table are provided for the five campsites as well as a pit toilet. The river is about a four -8 minute walk or so from most campsites. Very clean"

    " Though this campground sits along the highway it is easier to tolerate noise when its free! 

    The campground loop is gravel and has “pull next to” (bump out?)"

    2. The Sawmill Station

    2 Reviews
    Clayton, ID
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 838-2400

    $30 / night

    "Our site had plenty of space for our trailer and truck and then some. It has recently opened so a work in progress."

    "It was the perfect location close to Stanley. It was a bit dusty. Bathroom was clean. Showers were good. The food at the restaurant was amazing. We have AT&T and no cell service."

    3. Glacier View Campground

    11 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 537-8888

    $26 - $52 / night

    "A gentleman with a golf cart will come up to your site and collect the fee and give you a parking pass. I have a car and a tent, 3 people, and it was $20/night."

    "We had very low expectations staying at a campground that is almost always booked solid (we figured it would be crowded and loud) and is in one of the most popular parts of Idaho."

    4. Stanley rv + camp

    7 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    43 miles
    Website

    $50 - $70 / night

    "Stay one night after being off grid for days. Did some cleaning and laundry $2.50 a load. Amazing views from our spot."

    "Bathrooms, showers and laundry room are pristine for a campground! Hot water was no issue and they have a great little store if you’re out of anything. 10/10"

    5. Yellowjacket Guard Station

    1 Review
    Cobalt, ID
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 756-5209

    $40 / night

    "Driving up to Yellowjacket and through the abandoned mine sites feels like a step into the past. The "ghost town" looks more like several abandoned mines, but is still so interesting to see."

    6. Point Campground

    5 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 537-8888

    $26 / night

    "Lovely little campground with many amenities close to Redfish Lake Lodge. Each campsite has a dedicated level pad for tents, a picnic table, a bear box, and fire ring."

    "Rredfish Lake is absolutely gorgeous but with that beauty draws pretty big crowds. Be sure to reserve or arrive very early to get a walk in spot anywhere around the lake."

    7. Mount Heyburn Campground

    4 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    43 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Clean campground with fire ring. Camp hosts were very nice."

    8. Murdock Creek Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Ketchum, ID
    50 miles
    Website

    "This is a smaller campground tucked back against the mountains.  Good shade trees.  Close to hiking, fishing and mountain biking.  Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill."

    "There are 11 spots each with a picnic table, partial shade, and fire ring. There are two pit toilets and drinking water that is ice cold coming out of the tap."

    9. Salmon Gypsy Bed & Breakfast

    Be the first to review!
    May, ID
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 572-9047

    $135 - $160 / night

    10. Andreas on the River RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Salmon, ID
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 756-2063

    $45 - $75 / night

    "We have done only boondocking but were tired and wanted proximity to town. A few spots left and asked for one on the river, which had its own deck."

    "Easy 5 minute walk to town. Great local grocery, bakery, and a few breweries."

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Recent Cabin Photos near Challis, ID

3 Photos of 13 Challis Campgrounds


Cabin Reviews near Challis, ID

43 Reviews of 13 Challis Campgrounds


  • Anna W.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Point Campground

    Quiet, easy camping right on Redfish Lake.

    Lovely little campground with many amenities close to Redfish Lake Lodge. Each campsite has a dedicated level pad for tents, a picnic table, a bear box, and fire ring. The sites are a bit open, so privacy can be a bit lacking if that's a concern. This campsite is also walk-in, so you will need to use provided wagons to bring your stuff to your site and park your car in the provided parking lot. There are also bathrooms which had flushing toilets and running water and are well maintained. We loved that Point Campground is within walking distance to Redfish Lake Lodge, which has a bunch of different activities: horseback riding, kayaking, a dog beach, mountain biking, fishing, etc. This campground is great when camping with children, especially with the bathrooms & lack of car traffic on the tent-only side. We will be returning!

  • R
    Aug. 17, 2020

    Glacier View Campground

    Beautiful, quiet, and clean

    I decided to stay here for one night. Spots were open but were reserved for a few days later. Other folks came in and are doing the same. A gentleman with a golf cart will come up to your site and collect the fee and give you a parking pass. I have a car and a tent, 3 people, and it was $20/night. There is running water and bathrooms available. The sites have fire pit, picnic table and area to place tent.
    We walk easily to the lake to fish in the morning or later in the evening.

  • Amy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2021

    Murdock Creek Dispersed

    Beautiful Mountain Area

    This is a smaller campground tucked back against the mountains.  Good shade trees.  Close to hiking, fishing and mountain biking.  Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill.

  • Carrie B.
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Glacier View Campground

    Felt like kids at Camp!

    What a nice campground!  We had very low expectations staying at a campground that is almost always booked solid (we figured it would be crowded and loud) and is in one of the most popular parts of Idaho. However, the camping spots are large and are nicely spaced.  Even though almost every spot was taken, the campground was quiet and peaceful.  We prefer dry camping, so liked the spots not having hook-ups and drains. Paved roads made for fun riding of bikes, the flushing toilets in the clean bathrooms were a plus, the fresh drinking water was clean and tasted great, there were trash bins close by and our host "Wally" was so kind. With a short walk, you are on the North shore or Dog Beach and a little further is Redfish Lodge, beach and restaurants.  The food was so good and priced well, next time I will likely take less camping food and just eat at the lodge!  (Easy!)  The water in the lake is the cleanest you'll ever see....LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY PEOPLE!  Unfortunately, this campground is booked out almost the entire summer, so while we want to go back - it may have to wait until next year.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2025

    Stanley rv + camp

    Friendly awesome spot !

    Clean facilities and super friendly staff, I’m looking at you sierra! Stay one night after being off grid for days. Did some cleaning and laundry $2.50 a load. Amazing views from our spot.

  • Mike W.
    May. 16, 2019

    Glacier View Campground

    Well maintained, beautiful campground with no hookups

    This campground has paved roadways, paved parking, and pretty good separation between campsites. Most sites have good shade from pine trees, and some have views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Unfortunately, there are no hookups, so prepare accordingly. There are water spigots about every 3 sites, so filling your tank via 5 gallon bucket is possible if you don't mind the labor. There is an RV dump nearby on the main road, so If your Black or Grey tanks get full you can make a dump trip. All 3 loops are within easy walking distance of Redfish lake, and there are trails to the main lodge for extended walks or bike riding. The camp site has picnic table, fire ring, and nice sand constructed tent pads. The only thing that keeps this awesome camp site from being a 5 star is the lack of hookups. We really like to stay for the longest time possible (10 days) but it is really tough on battery power without running the generator constantly, and the bathrooms are busy, so it would be great to have sewer dump at each site.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Deadman Hole

    Clean, road noise, walk to river

    This is a nice campground right off the road though so you do get some car noise. A fire ring, shade cover and picnic table are provided for the five campsites as well as a pit toilet. The river is about a four -8 minute walk or so from most campsites. Very clean

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Deadman Hole

    FREE BLM Campground

     Though this campground sits along the highway it is easier to tolerate noise when its free! 

    The campground loop is gravel and has “pull next to” (bump out?) type sites with covered picnic table and a fire pit. There are also pit toilets and a hand pump water spigot. There is also a boat ramp and a day use area. 

    The river is very shallow and the bank is quite muddy -- our little dog sank up to her belly. 

    No privacy here and lots of road noise but you get to see the river and the meandering cows across the river. 

    Did not see any wildlife unless you count the swarms of tiny bugs of the variety that squeeze their little bug bodies through your screens. 

    Zero cell reception ATT, verizon or TMobile. The WeBoost was able to give us bars of LTE but still was not very usable.

    Good for an overnight but not much around to keep us occupied for anything longer.

  • A
    Sep. 2, 2022

    Murdock Creek Dispersed

    Fall asleep to the sounds of the river

    Murdock campground has been lovely. There are 11 spots each with a picnic table, partial shade, and fire ring. There are two pit toilets and drinking water that is ice cold coming out of the tap. The camp hosts have been absolutely wonderful. The only downside is that the air quality is pretty bad due to fires in the surrounding areas.


Guide to Challis

Camping cabins near Challis, Idaho provide access to the rugged Salmon River Mountains where elevations range from 5,000 to over 8,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day and can drop to 40°F at night, requiring extra blankets even in July. Water sources including the Salmon River and multiple lakes create fishing opportunities throughout the region.

What to do

Fishing access: The Deadman Hole Recreation Site offers direct Salmon River access with a boat launch for fishing, rafting, and kayaking. "Steps from the Salmon River" and "boat launch for rafting, kayaking, fishing" make this BLM site popular despite having limited amenities.

Mountain hiking: Trails from Glacier View Campground provide access to stunning alpine terrain. One camper noted "many people walked down to the lake to fish or to paddle on inflatables" while others "had the trails to ourselves" even during peak holiday periods. The area offers both short day hikes and multi-day backpacking routes.

Stargazing opportunities: The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve covers 1,416 square miles around the Stanley area, providing exceptional night viewing. At Redfish Lake, visitors experience "serious star gazing opportunities" with minimal light pollution, making it ideal for meteor watching and astronomy without specialized equipment.

What campers like

River proximity: Multiple rustic cabins sit directly on the Salmon River, providing easy water access. At Andreas on the River RV Park, sites include "our own deck looking over the river watching osprey fish" according to one visitor who appreciated the private setting despite being near town.

Forest seclusion: The Yellowjacket Guard Station offers a unique cabin experience surrounded by wilderness. "The guard station sits in a little meadow beside a creek in a small canyon" and provides "a refreshing breath of solitude" for those seeking remote accommodations. The cabin includes corrals for horses, making it excellent for equestrian campers.

Mountain views: Cabins with views of the Sawtooth Mountain range create memorable stays. A camper at Stanley RV + Camp mentioned having "a beautiful view of the Sawtooth Mountain range from our campsite" while enjoying the convenience of clean facilities and hot showers after wilderness adventures.

What you should know

Limited services: Many cabin sites have minimal or no utilities. Deadman Hole has "no services, except a vault toilet" and most visitors note there's "zero cell reception ATT, Verizon or TMobile" throughout the region, creating a true disconnect.

Weather preparedness: Despite summer daytime warmth, nights remain cold at elevation. "Come prepared for cold nights even in the summer" warns one camper at Mount Heyburn Campground, where temperatures drop significantly after sunset.

Reservation timing: Popular cabin locations book months in advance, especially for summer weekends. Point Campground typically fills quickly, with one visitor noting they "were able to get another spot in the same campground" only because they found a walk-up site after being flooded out of their original location.

Wildlife awareness: Ticks and other wildlife require vigilance. The Yellowjacket area was described as "ground-zero for ticks" in mid-May, requiring frequent checks, while other visitors reported rattlesnake sightings and large mammals including deer, elk, and moose.

Tips for camping with families

Beach access for kids: Point Campground offers family-friendly features including walk-in sites away from vehicle traffic. "This campground is great when camping with children, especially with the bathrooms & lack of car traffic on the tent-only side" reported one parent, who appreciated the access to the dog beach and lodge activities.

Recreational variety: Redfish Lake provides multiple kid-friendly activities through its lodge. Families enjoy "horseback riding, kayaking, a dog beach, mountain biking, fishing" without needing to drive between locations, making it suitable for multi-day stays with children.

Site selection strategy: Arrive midweek for better site options with children. At Mount Heyburn Campground, a visitor noted that "when we arrived on Thursday morning the campground was almost completely empty" despite visiting just before the July 4th holiday weekend.

Tips from RVers

River-view hookups: Several RV parks offer cabin options alongside full-hookup sites with river views. Andreas on the River includes riverside sites where campers can enjoy "hookups and our own deck looking over the river" while staying within walking distance of Salmon's restaurants and shops.

Stock up before arrival: Limited shopping options mean advance planning is essential. Even campgrounds with small stores have limited selection, with one visitor noting "I would recommend getting groceries before you arrive bc local store is pitiful" despite enjoying other aspects of their cabin stay.

Laundry facilities: For extended cabin stays, laundry access matters. Stanley RV + Camp provides coin-operated laundry machines at $2.50 per load, allowing cabin guests to refresh clothing during longer wilderness excursions before returning to rustic accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Challis, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Challis, ID is Deadman Hole with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Challis, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 cabin camping locations near Challis, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.