Camping options around Stanley, Idaho range from moderately developed sites to remote backcountry spots across elevations from 6,200 to 8,000 feet. Summer nights typically drop to 30-40°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s-80s. The camping season runs shorter at higher elevations, with some sites not accessible until July due to snow persistence on north-facing slopes.
What to do
Fishing access: Casino Creek Campground provides direct river access with short trails leading to Salmon River fishing spots. "Come to Sunny Gulch if you want to fish along the river. I picked a site that is a short walk to the river. The fee is $18/night for a car with a tent," notes Ryan L. from Sunny Gulch Campground.
Hiking to alpine lakes: The Iron Creek area serves as a gateway to multiple lake trails. "Great hiking access to several Sawtooth alpine lakes right from the campground," shares Max B. from Iron Creek Campground. The trailhead connects to Alpine, Sawtooth, and Stanley Lakes plus side trails leading to smaller alpine lakes.
Night sky viewing: The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "The comet NEOWISE made an appearance and was mind blowing! If star gazing is something you enjoy, this area is amazing. If you plan to see something special, make sure you PLAN AHEAD!" advises Megan K. who camped at Sockeye Campground.
What campers like
River sounds: Many sites feature water proximity as a natural sound machine. "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," explains Laura M. about Casino Creek Campground.
Site spacing: Campers frequently mention the privacy at certain campgrounds. "Sunny Gulch is a NFS campground right between Stanley, Idaho and Redfish Lake. The views are incredible and the location can't be beat. All sites have picnic table, prep table, fire ring and tent pad and are quite large and lots of space between sites," reports Bob R.
Less crowded alternatives: Finding quieter spots away from popular areas matters to many visitors. "When I couldn't get into the campgrounds at Stanley lake or Redfish Lake this was the next best option and it worked out well. It was easy to access both of those recreational areas as well as access the services in town," shares Kim K. about Sunny Gulch Campground.
What you should know
Reservation strategies: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "This is a first come first served campground. We had a reservation at another campground and when it was up, we scrambled down to sockeye around 9/9:30 in the morning (late enough that some folks who were leaving had packed up and left) and we didn't have trouble snagging a spot," advises Kate S. about Sockeye Campground.
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between campgrounds. "The roads in to this area, NF-563/Stanley Creek Rd and NF-633/Nip and Tuck Road are in pretty decent shape for all vehicles coming in from the West off of Hwy 21, but be warned, do not come in from the East on NF-633/Nip and Tuck Road off of Hwy 75 as just a short distance in, there is deep and narrow wash across the road," warns Ray & Terri F. about Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping.
Temperature swings: Weather patterns create large daily temperature variations. "Even in the summer, nights drop into the 30s so we opted to car camp vs pitching our tent - especially since there was a fire ban during our stay," notes C O. from Iron Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Boat access options: Some sites require water transportation but reward with unique experiences. "You have to take some form of boat to the other side of the lake to access this campground. It has many spots and it is seasonal. This tends to be the only campground with walk up spots available in the prime summer months," explains Brett P. about Redfish Inlet Trailhead.
Amenity considerations: Facilities vary between established and dispersed sites. "The 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," shares Mike W. about Glacier View Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Children often enjoy respectful wildlife viewing. "Beautiful campgrounds with fearlessly friendly deer who visit your evening campfire. Gorgeous little boat ride from Redfish Lodge," mentions Rachel A. about Redfish Inlet Trailhead.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RVers recommend targeting specific loops or areas within campgrounds. "The back sites have easier access to the river while the front are closer to the Hwy," advises Patrick M. about Sunny Gulch.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require adjustments for comfortable parking. "We found a decent site with a great view of the Sawtooth Range and the valley. The site sloped a bit from side to side, but we were able to get mostly level," notes Ray & Terri F. about Nip and Tuck dispersed camping.
Power management: Limited hookups require planning. "If your Black or Grey tanks get full you can make a dump trip. 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," explains Mike W. about Glacier View Campground.
