Best Tent Camping near Clayton, ID

Recent Tent Reviews in Clayton

366 Reviews of 72 Clayton Campgrounds

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  arden A.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 6, 2024

  Antelope Creek

  Beautiful view of sun valley

  Nice dispersed camping for the prepared person :)

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 1, 2024

  Casino Creek Campground

  Access to excellent trails

  Camped in site #15 on Sept 27, 2024. Paid $10 with senior pass. Nothing remarkable about the campground itself, but the trails leading out of the campground are really good. There is access to the Salmon River at the end of the campground road for bank/fly fishing; caught a nice rainbow trout. Sites along the river appear larger than those backing up to the hill. The river side sites are open sky, good for solar recharging and Starlink. The sites across the road have partial shade. There were a few pull-thrus; otherwise, back-ins. Campground is popular for OHV enthusiasts and hikers. Most sites are close to the dusty campground road. Vault toilet was not quite clean, although it was at the end of the summer season. There is a hand water pump. Site 15 is a small, almost level site with a pea gravel surface; it appeared to have a tent pad at the rear. This site has a table and metal fire ring. There is road noise from highway 75 across the river. It was very busy here during our stay, probably because forest service campgrounds west of Stanley were closed due to wildfires. There were a lot of drive-bys on the campground road. Nearby travel trailers with large noisy families kind of ruined the ambiance of this small campground; did not respect quiet hours. Campground probably okay for an overnight stay, fly fishing on the Salmon River or for accessing the trailheads. Overall, I did not enjoy camping here. I did, however, enjoyed hiking and fishing here. I am not likely to camp here again.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 31, 2024

  Corral Creek Designated Dispersed

  Large dispersed site near creek

  Free designated dispersed campsite along Sawtooth Nation Forest Road 137. Camped here at the end of September 2024. Very large designated dispersed site set downhill from the forest road; no issues with dust from this road. The area is level. May be able to park 3 rigs. Tent camping is possible back from the parking area toward the metal firering. This area can accommodate 3 or 4 tents, or one big hot tent. Corral Creek is just down a short path from the campsite. The sound of the creek can be heard at the site. Very quiet area. Mountains on either side of the site. The parking area is dirt and gravel. The "tent" area is grass and dirt. Don't see opportunities for hammock camping. No cell service. No shade; solar recharging and Starlink possible. 3 day limit. Hiking trailheads and vault toilet at the end of the forest road.

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Oct. 30, 2024

  Star Hope

  Primitive camping in Copper Basin

  $10 (paid $5 with senior pass). First come, first served. Camped at site #10 in late September 2024. This primitive national forest campground was not busy during my visit. Copper Basin Loop Road accessing this campground, which has a gravel surface, was in good condition; there was some washboarding in a few places. The campground has a lower loop and an upper loop. The campground has a mix of pull-through and back-in sites; some leveling may be reuired in some sites. Site #10 is a short gravel pull-thru in the upper loop, good fit for my campervan, although very close to the campground road. There is a short path from the site driveway down to a picnic table and metal fire ring. The ground is a little chewed up from voles and cow hooves. Tent and hammock camping are possible. This site has partial shade; others in the loop are open. Little privacy between sites. Depending on the site, you can get a view of Copper Basin from the upper loop. The upper loop has two clean vault toilet facilities; I didn't use the vault toilet in the lower loop, but assume that it is clean. There is a hand water pump in both loops but shut down for the season during our visit. Trout fishing in nearby Star Hope Creek was pretty good; it's about a 1/4 mile walk from my campsite. No T-Mobile or AT&T cell service. Overall, a pretty campground; mostly wooded. I would camp here again. Boondocking is also possible along the Copper Basin Loop Rd.

• U

  UT801

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 17, 2024

  Watts Bridge Campground

  Okay site on Salmon River--HOT in July

  Simple campground along Salmon River--beautiful setting, with maybe 5 spaces, not all of which are marked well but do have picnic tables to indicate. Also a vault toilet at loop campground. Buggy, even with river flowing and slight wind. Free, which is nice. Can hear US93 traffic, but not bad considering neighbor ran generator which drowned out some noise.

• b

  brandon W.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 11, 2024

  Decker Flats Dispersed

  Nice place close to great trailheads

  I enjoyed my 2 night stay here. I pitched a tent however it was quite windy due to it being an open area so just stake your tent down well. I had a spot right beside the salmon river and was able to access this campsite via my Honda Accord vehicle.

• 

  Marley F.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 10, 2024

  Iron Creek Campground

  Peaceful

  My husband and I came to this spot with our 28ft trailer, luckily we were able to squeeze in. Lots of spots to choose from too. The campsites were clean and very peaceful place to camp for a few nights.

• b

  brandon W.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 5, 2024

  Decker Flats Dispersed

  Very nice stay close to the Sawtooth mountains

  This was a great stay. I found a place to pitch a tent right beside the river. There seemed to be plenty of spots some vacant at times. It was close to Highway 75 but did get some traffic noise but the river drowned most of it out. Would stay here again!

• 

  Ben H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 4, 2024

  Deadman Hole

  Simple

  Stayed here for two nights. The first night I have the whole area to myself. The second night there was two other campers. Doesn't seem to be super popular or high in demand. So finding a spot shouldn't be a problem. There was about six or more parking/camping areas. No Wi-Fi or Verizon signal. There is a toilet available. Access to the river as well.

• 

  Marlis N.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 30, 2024

  North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest

  Quiet

  The campground is clean $20 a night with some highway noise. There is a bear in the area at this time.

• 

  Jessie C.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 24, 2024

  Iron Creek Campground

  Absolutely Beautiful!

  We stayed at this campground initially because it was right at the trailhead for the hike to Goat Lake. We got there around 5 and there were still plenty of sites available. It was pretty buggy, but it’s right next to a creek, so that’s what you expect. It was quiet and the sound of the creek made it easy to sleep after a long day.

• 

  Scott B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 20, 2024

  Bull Trout Lake Campground

  Great Campground

  Spend 6 nights here while exploring Stanley, the sawtooths, and Boise National Forest. Big sites, beautiful lake, and very private. Really enjoyed our stay here.

• 

  Scott B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 13, 2024

  Elk Bend RV Park

  Great stop

  Stoped for an overnight on our way to glacier. Clean and nice park.

• 

  Cindy S.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 6, 2024

  North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest

  Great Place to get away

  It’s a quiet place. It is dusty. The camp host was awesome. He was quick to tell us what sites were still available on a holiday weekend. He even alerted the campers that a bear was spotted a few miles down. There is no power and no cell service.

• 

  Maddie P.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 30, 2024

  Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping

  Less busy than other camping areas

  Got to Stanley area around 6pm on a Friday. Drove to Stanley Lake and Iron Creek but everything was full. Decided to drive down Rd 653 then to Rd 633 to see if there was anything open and found a good spot about 2 miles in from hwy 21. I passed quite a few people but spots are pretty far apart and the only people I could see from my campsite were all the way across the valley. Only animals I saw were some antelope, ground squirrels, and cows. Pretty wildflowers all around too. It was a good place to stop for the night!

• e

  emily F.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 28, 2024

  Pettit Lake Campground

  Fantastic location - super full

  We drove in on a late Thursday night, June 27th, to find the entire campground packed, and even struggled to find a dispersed camping site nearby. It's a great spot, but for it being a Thursday night, expected to find a bit more available.

• 

  Todd W.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 12, 2024

  Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping

  Best campsite in the Sawtooths

  If you get one of the site overlooking the sawtooths count yourself lucky

• 

  Adrian J.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 5, 2024

  Petit Lake Dispersed Camping

  Alone on a stream,

  There are many sites up until the dead-end about 1.5 miles from the pay campground.  I camped up on the stream.  Great boondocking was here for a week. The road is in great shape. A couple of big rocks here and there.  Plenty of places to do a 3-point turnaround with any rig.

  No cell coverage.  Got ok starlink between trees.

• A

  Andrew T.

  Guide

  

  May. 13, 2024

  Petit Lake Dispersed Camping

  Beautiful Area

  This area just up the road from the campground offers lots of dispersed camping.  There are many established sites, some with fire rings, any car can make it.

  Visited August 17-18, 2023 (adding reviews for past camp sites before I knew of the dyrt)

• S

  Sonya

  Traveler

  

  May. 10, 2024

  Chemeketan Campground

  Didn’t make it all the way- excited to come back

  We were very excited to check out this campground. Located 4 miles off Hwy 75, we only made it 1.5 up the road before snow prevented us from going further. We can’t wait to come back when it’s warmer and leave a full review.

• S

  Sonya

  Traveler

  

  May. 9, 2024

  Watts Bridge Campground

  Overnight with dogs

  Pulled over mid day to spend the afternoon and night. We took the second to last spot on the river side. Arrived at noon on a Tuesday, departed at 8am next day and were the only campers. Very easy river access from site, but water is moving quickly. We walked to the other side of the bridge and let our dogs jump in where the water was calmer. Overall really clean and well maintained space. The only thing that will prevent us from coming back is the cottonwood tree droppings. They’re everywhere and very sticky, so if you have long haired dogs, it’s a nightmare to get them out.

• 

  Nicki S.

  Guide

  

  Feb. 22, 2024

  Antelope Creek

  Great

  This site was pretty easy to find. There were a couple of campers camped closer to the road from the turn-off but we managed to find a spot that was secluded and perfect for us right next to the creek. Tons of space, especially since we were by ourselves. Had a real fire pit! This was a cold stay and our tent was covered in frost in the morning, but a good spot to be. Close enough to town, close enough to hiking.

• K

  Kristi R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 2, 2023

  Corral Creek Canyon Dispersed

  Nice location, campsites spreadout

  Quiet, private campsites. Close to Sun Valley. Place to turn around if unable to fine a campsite. No cell coverage. Only 3 day limit.

• K

  Kristi R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 2, 2023

  Antelope Creek

  Close in to Sun Valley

  Nice location, close to town. Close to road but not much traffic. Access can be difficult with steep access from main road and tricky spots along the access road. There are three access spots. Would pick the first or second. The road is difficult between the second and third access roads. Would recommend walking down to see if safe for you and your vehicle. There is more dispersed camping farther up the road but you begin to lose cell coverage.

• K

  Kristi R.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 2, 2023

  Stanley Lake Campground

  Lovely view of the Sawtooths

  Nice view of the lake. Quiet time of year to visit.

• H

  Holmes

  Scout

  

  Sep. 13, 2023

  Smiley Creek Lodge

  Good in the end of season

  New owners have downsized the RV area to only six sites. That being said I'm enjoying our trip in mid-September since only half are being filled. That being said site 1 is not very usable due to not having a table or sewer hookup.

  We paid $100 a night which is a premium but given the location it felt worth it.

• 

  William G.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 4, 2023

  Bull Trout Lake Campground

  Great spot to camp

  We love camping in this campground.  The reason for only three stars is because of the extremely rude behavior of the"camp host". We will not be going back as long as she is still there. This is our third time camping there and we have never seen treated so poorly by a camp host.