Best Glamping near Ketchum, ID

Smiley Creek Lodge offers a range of glamping accommodations in Stanley, just north of Ketchum, with yurt and cabin options available year-round. The property provides full hookups for those bringing their own glamping setups, with amenities including electric service, water hookups, showers, and modern restroom facilities. The on-site restaurant serves meals throughout the day, making it convenient for glampers who prefer not to cook during their outdoor retreat. Most sites offer enough space between neighbors to maintain a sense of privacy while still being close to essential services. According to a camper, "The staff at Smiley Lodge were super helpful and nice when I asked to check in early, and then needed to check out a couple hours late unexpectedly."

Situated approximately 25 minutes from Ketchum, Stanton Crossing provides a more rustic glamping experience with sites suitable for both furnished tents and portable glamping setups. The campground sits alongside the Big Wood River, offering easy water access for glampers who enjoy riverside relaxation and swimming opportunities. During fall visits, the surrounding aspen trees create a colorful backdrop that enhances the glamping experience. Pioneer Yurt, operated by Sun Valley Trekking, represents another distinctive option for those seeking a more secluded glamping experience in the mountains near Ketchum. One reviewer noted, "This area is just 10 minutes south of Galena Lodge and 25 minutes north of Ketchum. We arrived on a Friday morning and had no problem finding a shaded, private site."

Best Glamping Sites Near Ketchum, Idaho (13)

    1. Murdock Creek Dispersed

    5 Reviews
    Ketchum, ID
    8 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "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."

    2. East Fork Baker Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Sawtooth National Forest, ID
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 622-5371

    "This area is just 10 minutes south of Galena Lodge and 25 minutes north of Ketchum. We arrived on a Friday morning and had no problem finding a shaded, private site."

    3. Stanton Crossing

    9 Reviews
    Bellevue, ID
    25 miles
    Website

    "Only complaint was it was hard to spot the entrance at night."

    4. Smiley Creek Lodge

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

    "This is a good option between Ketchum and Stanley to go explore the sawtooth mountains. It’s a little bit of everything, lodge, yurts, cabins, rv spots, gas station, restaurant."

    "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."

    6. Alturas Inlet Campground

    5 Reviews
    Atlanta, ID
    29 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."

    7. Group Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

    11 Reviews
    Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (208) 527-1300

    $15 - $30 / night

    "it feels like you are staying in the middle of the lava beds. it has easy checkin if you arrive after hours, reservations are not required and you can pay on site any hour of the day or night!"

    "Zut Verizon or Cricket ( cricket sometime showed 1 bar but not usable) Great campground, friendly staff. No hookups but potable water available.

    The National Monument is so different."

    8. Salmon River Campground

    12 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    46 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."

    9. Deadman Hole

    4 Reviews
    Clayton, ID
    46 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"

    10. Point

    2 Reviews
    Stanley, ID
    41 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."

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Recent Glamping Photos near Ketchum, ID

3 Photos of 13 Ketchum Campgrounds


Glamping Reviews near Ketchum, ID

58 Reviews of 13 Ketchum Campgrounds


  • J
    Aug. 16, 2021

    East Fork Baker Creek Campground

    Beautiful, spaced out sites

    This area is just 10 minutes south of Galena Lodge and 25 minutes north of Ketchum. We arrived on a Friday morning and had no problem finding a shaded, private site. There seemed to be a ton of options as you drive down Baker Creek (dirt road). Many have established fire pits.

  • Jeane L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2021

    Alturas Inlet Campground

    Good escape from the summer heat

    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. The lake is a short walk but some campers drove over just to make it easier to tote their chairs and water gear. Bring layers - it can is cool in the evenings and at night (40s F) even in July but warm in the day, especially if you are out by the lake. We tent camped at site 17 and although it was near one of the many vault toilets, smaller trash dumpsters, and water spigots, our site was bigger and we set up a decent distance from it. Most sites seemed to have a good distance between each other and enough privacy courtesy of trees and various plant life. We didn’t have any issues, but there plenty of signs reminding campers to be bear aware. (We are pretty careful to keep our food, cooking supplies, toiletries and whatnot in our car when not in use anyway). We did not have cell service (Verizon) and it was a bit of a drive before we got it again. Overall, it’s a beautiful retreat well suited to escaping the heat of summer if you have a tent or small trailer/pull behind.

  • Angie W.
    Jul. 31, 2018

    Group Campground — Craters of the Moon National Monument

    Great Campground!

    I loved this campground! it feels like you are staying in the middle of the lava beds. it has easy checkin if you arrive after hours, reservations are not required and you can pay on site any hour of the day or night! It is clean and quiet. The facilities are well kept up. The Ranger station and visitor center are nearby. the campground is at the start of the drive through the Monument. It is open so you can do stargazing without difficulty! it was wonderful!

  • Ben H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2020

    Smiley Creek Lodge

    Good spot in the sawtooths

    This is a good option between Ketchum and Stanley to go explore the sawtooth mountains. It’s a little bit of everything, lodge, yurts, cabins, rv spots, gas station, restaurant. RV spots were reasonable level. 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. The sewer hookup was loose and shared with a long term resident on the other side, also the water spigot was broken so we had to use the spigot for spot #16. #17 is not terrible, but other spots are much better.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2022

    Salmon River Campground

    River and Road

     Right off of Hwy 75 you’ll find this first come first serve campground that has camping on either side of the road. The river side is currently closed for revegetation, erosion control, and habitat restoration. The other side is open. 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. 

    Dusty gravel roads will loop you through the campground. The sites themselves are dirt and gravel with mostly level parking areas and each site varies in length. We would fit in many of them in our 26' Class C but larger rigs may have a problem. Each site has fire pit and picnic table. There are pit toilets and hand pump water available as well. There is a dumpster for trash but no recycling. There are no bear boxes so store food appropriately as bears are common in this area. 

    Road noise is an issue during the day as the campgrounds sit very close to the highway, but it dies down at night. Only 2 other campers there when we went.

    $18/night 

    Fire restrictions in effect at this time so NO FIRES 

    No cell reception ATT, Verizon or TMobile

  • 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.

  • Jessy M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2020

    Stanton Crossing

    Not too bad!

    This campground was a nice break after spending the last few nights at Walmart's. Yes, you can hear road noise but still quieter than the city! There were a lot of level spots to chose from and the trees were a welcomed sight in the 90 degree heat.

  • N
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Smiley Creek Lodge

    Expensive and low quality

    We stayed here to be close to redfish lake to snatch a spot for camping there in the morning. For that it served its purpose but that is all that is positive about it. We had to pay 114 dollars for an rv site that was not level, did not have a picnic table or a fire ring, or even place to put a table and chairs. The bathroom is very far away, and there is only one, which does not have a door, but a shower curtain. The location is nice, but if possible I would keep driving to find a better place.

  • Mine
    Aug. 5, 2021

    Salmon River Campground

    Near Boat Box Hot Springs and the Salmon River

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


Guide to Ketchum

Dispersed camping options near Ketchum, Idaho range from 6,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation with dramatic temperature swings typical of high mountain desert. Summer daytime temperatures can reach the 80s while dropping into the 40s at night, even in July. Winter camping requires preparation for sub-zero temperatures and potential snow, with many access roads closing seasonally.

What to do

Fishing in mountain waters: Murdock Campground provides easy access to nearby fishing spots with cold mountain streams. According to one camper, "The sites are generously spaced with picnic table and fire ring. There is a camp host and firewood is available at their site."

Stargazing without light pollution: Craters of the Moon Group Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing conditions. "It is open so you can do stargazing without difficulty! it was wonderful!" reports one visitor who appreciated the remote location.

Swimming in river eddies: Salmon River Campground provides multiple river access points for cooling off. A camper noted, "The salmon river is absolutely gorgeous. It has some nice swimming holes or eddies along the river, and the water is perfect for swimming in late summer, though a little chilly in the early summer months."

Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Several areas near Murdock Campground connect to extensive trail networks. "Close to hiking, fishing and mountain biking. Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill," explains one review highlighting the recreational options.

What campers like

Quieter camping experiences: Murdock Campground offers a peaceful atmosphere away from busier areas. "It is super quiet at night. Lots of hiking, mountain biking and fishing in the immediate area. Ketchum and Sun Valley are 15 min away," notes one visitor who appreciated the solitude.

Fall foliage viewing: Baker Creek Campground features excellent autumn color displays. "This area is just 10 minutes south of Galena Lodge and 25 minutes north of Ketchum. We arrived on a Friday morning and had no problem finding a shaded, private site," says one camper who visited during fall.

Natural soundscapes: Murdock Creek Dispersed camping provides nature-based audio environments. One review mentions, "We ended with a great location near moving water. The sound of water created a very serene environment for rest."

Primitive glamping near Ketchum: Deadman Hole provides free sites with basic amenities for glamping setups. A camper shares, "Views for miles...Covered picnic table...Generous spacing between sites...Serious star gazing opportunities."

What you should know

Temperature variations: Pack layers for dramatic day-to-night changes. One Alturas Inlet camper advises, "Bring layers - it can is cool in the evenings and at night (40s F) even in July but warm in the day, especially if you are out by the lake."

Bear safety protocols: Multiple campgrounds require proper food storage. At Alturas Inlet Campground, "We didn't have any issues, but there plenty of signs reminding campers to be bear aware."

Road noise considerations: Some glamping locations near Ketchum experience highway sounds. At Stanton Crossing, one reviewer noted, "Camp ground was clean and nice! River runs close and plenty of shade! The only complaint is it is right next to a busy road."

Cell reception limitations: Connectivity varies widely by location and carrier. At Deadman Hole, a camper reports, "No Wi-Fi or Verizon signal. There is a toilet available. Access to the river as well."

Tips for camping with families

Easy water access: Point Campground at Redfish Lake offers family-friendly shorelines. A visitor notes, "On one of the most beloved and popular lakes in the Sawtooth. Redfish Lake. Gorgeous views. Any kind of water sports you crave."

Entertainment options: Some campsites near Ketchum provide built-in activities. At Smiley Creek Lodge, "They had horseshoes and bean bags in a common area."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to spot local fauna. At Murdock Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Quiet with good chance at wildlife sightings."

Walk-in tent areas for families: Point Campground offers dedicated tent spaces. According to a camper, "This site was excellent as it offers both spots for vehicles as well as a tent only area where the sites are walk-in."

Tips from RVers

Accessibility information: RVers should note that many sites require advanced planning. At Craters of the Moon, "Not that many big rig sites, so pity it's only fcfs, especially as it is so remote."

Levelness challenges: Some glamping areas near Ketchum require leveling equipment. One RVer at Smiley Creek Lodge reported, "RV spots were reasonable level. Bathrooms were clean."

Site selection strategy: When glamping with RVs near Ketchum, choose carefully. A visitor to Smiley Creek noted, "One tip, avoid spot number #17 if possible. The sewer hookup was loose and shared with a long term resident on the other side, also the water spigot was broken."

Width considerations: Many campgrounds provide extra space between sites. At Smiley Creek Lodge, an RVer observed, "RV spots were pretty wide, which was nice."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ketchum, ID is Murdock Creek Dispersed with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

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