Best Glamping near Clayton, ID

Smiley Creek Lodge houses a unique collection of glamping accommodations nestled in the Stanley region of Idaho. Travelers can experience a refined outdoor retreat with safari tents, yurts, and cabin-style glamping units equipped with comfortable beds, electricity, and rustic-luxe furnishings. A visitor noted, "The river side is nice with campsites close to the river while the other side is just a street crossing away." Unlike traditional camping, these boutique accommodations blend seamlessly with the natural environment while providing essential comforts like drinking water, toilets, and picnic areas. The lodge offers year-round access, making it an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions regardless of season, with several sites featuring exceptional riverside views for a premium glamping experience.

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area provides a stunning backdrop for glamping adventures with multiple locations offering resort-style camping experiences. Guests enjoy direct access to the Salmon River for swimming, fishing, and kayaking, with several glamping sites positioned steps from the water's edge. According to a camper, "Plenty of paths down to Salmon river level to fish or nap." Safari tents and yurts at Redfish Lake area feature spectacular mountain views and proximity to water activities. Beyond outdoor recreation, glampers can visit nearby attractions including Boat Box Hot Springs, the ghost town of Custer, and live music events at Redfish Lake Lodge. The region's glamping accommodations typically operate from late May through September, though some locations like Smiley Creek Lodge remain open year-round for those seeking four-season boutique camping experiences.

Best Glamping Sites Near Clayton, Idaho (16)

    1. Deadman Hole

    3 Reviews
    Clayton, ID
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 879-6200

    " 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?)"

    "Pros: *Views for miles *Steps from the Salmon River *Boat launch for rafting,kayaking,fishing *Covered picnic table *Generous spacing between sites *Serious star gazing opportunities

    • Easy drive to Challis"

    2. Salmon River Campground

    12 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    23 miles
    Website

    "The river side is nice with campsites close to the river while the other side is just a street crossing away. Both are very similar otherwise. "

    "Primitive campsite near the river. Vault toilets were kept clean. Fire pits."

    3. Flat Rock Campground

    2 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 838-3300

    "Only issue you did have some road noise since it’s right on the road. Picked up starlink service but no Verizon signal. Campground was pretty quiet not busy at all."

    "Close to hwy20. Convenient but you can hear the traffic. Camp host Denny was great guy. Ask him about his impala."

    4. Custer #1 Campground

    2 Reviews
    Clayton, ID
    16 miles
    Website

    "Tables and fire pits in each one & 4/6 have shade.

    One pit toilet which was very clean during my visit.

    I pulled in on a Saturday @ 6pm and only one spot was taken so lucky me."

    "Really cool massive boulders are in and around the campground, and even though it is along the pass and near a beautiful gorge, you really can’t see anything beyond the campground due to the terrain."

    5. Mill Creek

    1 Review
    Challis, ID
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 879-4321

    "The two vault toilets were clean and stocked with TP. The campground was spotless. My top sites of choice are sites 2 and 3 because of the shade and proximity to the creek."

    6. Riverside

    2 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    22 miles
    Website

    "The rest are on the other side of the highway. It has several bathrooms and dumpsters, at least one on each side of the highway. Site 15 was were I ended up."

    7. Smiley Creek Lodge

    7 Reviews
    Sawtooth National Forest, ID
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 774-3547

    "Bathrooms were clean. They had horseshoes and bean bags in a common area. No picnic tables or fire pits though. RV spots were pretty wide, which was nice

    One tip, avoid spot number #17 if possible."

    "They officially don’t have tent sites but had some grassy area where I could pitch my tent anyway. That did mean there were no picnic tables or fire rings for me but the RV sites did have them."

    8. Point

    2 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 727-5000

    "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."

    "This site was excellent as it offers both spots for vehicles as well as a tent only area where the sites are walk-in."

    9. Murdock Creek Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Ketchum, ID
    31 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."

    "Water is available at the dump station located on the left before you arrive. It services all area NF service campgrounds as well as paid for others not. We had good ATT service 2 and 3 bars."

    10. Alturas Inlet Campground

    5 Reviews
    Atlanta, ID
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (928) 537-8888

    $24 - $48 / night

    "Alturas Lake Inlet campground is tucked into the lovely, shady forest around it. We saw plenty of birds, chipmunks and tiny wildflowers were all over our site in early July."

    "This is one of the most gorgeous locations for camping. The campground is right on the lake which is perfect for those of us who like to bring our canoes and kayaks. It is well cared for and clean."

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Showing results 1-10 of 16 campgrounds

Glamping Reviews near Clayton, ID

50 Reviews of 16 Clayton Campgrounds



Guide to Clayton

Dispersed camping around Clayton, Idaho offers access to diverse wilderness landscapes at elevations between 4,000-9,000 feet in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Campers encounter dense pine forests, alpine meadows, and riverside camping options within 30 miles of this small mountain town. Summer temperatures typically range from 40°F at night to 80°F during peak daytime hours, requiring layered clothing for comfort throughout the day.

What to do

River fishing access: At Deadman Hole Recreation Site, campers can enjoy immediate access to the Salmon River with a boat launch for fishing, rafting and kayaking. A reviewer noted, "Views for miles, steps from the Salmon River, boat launch for rafting, kayaking, fishing." The shallow areas provide safe wading spots for anglers.

Ghost town exploration: Venture to Custer #1 Campground for a unique historical excursion. Located along Adventure Road, this small campground serves as a base for exploring the nearby ghost town. "For a cool experience, check out the ghost town of Custer or go further along the Adventure Road to see the ruins of some of the stagecoach stops," recommends one visitor.

Mountain biking trails: Multiple trail systems connect the campgrounds in the area, with some campsites providing direct trail access. During early fall, temperatures cool significantly, making daytime riding more comfortable. One camper at Murdock Creek shared, "Close to hiking, fishing and mountain biking. Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill."

What campers like

River proximity: Salmon River Campground offers sites directly on the water's edge. "Several sites located right on the river. Water available in the campground, firewood from the camp hosts, and clean bathrooms," notes one camper. The river access provides both recreational opportunities and natural cooling during hot summer days.

Night sky viewing: The remote location of many campsites around Clayton creates exceptional stargazing conditions with minimal light pollution. A camper at Murdock Creek Dispersed reported, "The real treat came when we saw the beauty of the night sky unencumbered by city lights; the Milky Way was on full display."

Small, quiet campgrounds: Many campgrounds in the region maintain a small footprint with limited sites. One camper at Mill Creek described their experience: "Small and up in the mountains, this campground has 9 first come sites with about half backing to the creek and the other half to the trees on the lollipop loop. The only sounds I heard while there were the wind in the pines, birds."

What you should know

Limited connectivity: Cell service ranges from nonexistent to spotty throughout the Clayton area. A camper at Deadman Hole Recreation Site reported, "Zero cell reception ATT, verizon or TMobile. The WeBoost was able to give us bars of LTE but still was not very usable." Some yurt camping near Clayton, Idaho may offer satellite internet access at an additional fee.

Road noise considerations: Several campgrounds sit adjacent to highways, creating potential noise disturbance. A reviewer at Flat Rock Campground mentioned, "Close to hwy20. Convenient but you can hear the traffic." Similarly, at Deadman Hole Recreation Site, a camper noted, "Close to road, so some road noise."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Clayton, ID?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Clayton, ID is Deadman Hole with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Clayton, ID?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Clayton, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.