22 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Smiley Creek Lodge houses several glamping accommodations in the Sawtooth National Forest area, offering a unique mountain retreat experience between Ketchum and Stanley. Visitors can choose from yurts and glamping tents, with sites providing full hookups including water, sewer, and electric connections for a more comfortable wilderness experience. The property features clean showers, toilets, and drinking water, allowing guests to enjoy nature without sacrificing modern comforts. The campground also offers convenient amenities like a restaurant, bar, and lodge facilities, providing a more upscale camping experience than traditional sites. According to a visitor, "The staff were super helpful and nice when I asked to check in early, and then needed to check out a couple hours late unexpectedly."
Located just 25 minutes north of Ketchum, these glamping sites provide easy access to numerous outdoor adventures in the surrounding mountains. Guests at Alturas Inlet can enjoy pristine lake access perfect for kayaking and canoeing, while Murdock Creek offers peaceful creekside accommodations with spectacular night sky views unaffected by city lights. The nearby Redfish Lake area features walk-in glamping spots with access to a lodge offering live music, a full-service restaurant, and equipment rentals including boats, kayaks and paddleboards. One camper noted, "The lodge next door offers live music on the lawn, a restaurant with really good food, full bar, ice cream stand, camp store, sandy beach, boat/kayak/SUP rentals. It reminds me of the lake retreat in Dirty Dancing."
"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."
"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."
from $24 - $48 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Nice shady campsites, right next to Baker Creek, improved fire pits, picnic tables, and a single vault toilet. Very few bugs (in july). Nobody else here on weekdays."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"But it’s close to the river, had vault toilets, and some trees for shade. Lots of sites and the ground wasn’t bad for sleeping."
"Only complaint was it was hard to spot the entrance at night."
"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."
"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."
"Nice wooded campground with some sites adjacent to Payette river. One paved lane in/out with loop at end. Fairly level gravelled pads with picnic tables, tent pads and fire pits."
"Nice paved drive on our site, a big groomed flat spot for a tent, a nice fire pit with cooking grate, and sturdy picnic table. "
from $20 - $40 / night
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GuideSnagged a site on the river,#22! Of course, being here off season helped. Absolutely gorgeous. There is no fee October to May, but they close the gate when the first snow comes. (According to the camp host,whose last day was Oct 4, 2026)
GuideFit my 35, 5th wheel into a beautiful spot 0.8 miles up Murdock Basin Rd. There are many spots thar are close to Provo River. The road i a little rough but not so bad with a 4x4 Truck at a slow pace. Surrounded by pine trees and the sound of a creek.
GuideThe dirt turns everything black. But it’s close to the river, had vault toilets, and some trees for shade. Lots of sites and the ground wasn’t bad for sleeping. We camped on the side furthest from the water so the bugs weren’t super bad at all. We didn’t have a fire that night, it was too hot. 20 minute drive to Bellevue for snacks. Large sites for everyone.
GuideWe stopped at Salmon River Campground for one night and found it to be a decent place to rest while traveling through the area. A note for fellow campers: although some websites mention this campground as being free, it is not. We paid$22 per night for our stay. The campground listing says sites are first come, first served, but we heard from other campers that some of the riverfront sites can actually be reserved online, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re hoping for a spot along the water. We arrived around 3:00 p.m. and managed to get the very last available site—Site 24. It wasn’t on the river, but rather in the overflow area across the road. While it wasn’t the most scenic location(more roadside than we usually prefer), it was surprisingly quiet overnight and worked perfectly fine for a quick stay.
We never met the campground host, but we did see him driving around regularly and checking on the sites, which was a nice touch. The bathrooms could have used a little more attention, but overall the campground was perfectly adequate for a one-night stop. Not our favorite campground of the trip, but it served its purpose and would be a reasonable option if you need a place to stay while exploring the Salmon River area. Next time we would try to get a spot on the river.
ScoutNo fee area! 5 sites. Nice shady campsites, right next to Baker Creek, improved fire pits, picnic tables, and a single vault toilet. Very few bugs (in july). Nobody else here on weekdays. Campsites are close together so might feel a little cramped on weekends. 50 yards off Baker Creek Rd so occasional traffic noise.
ScoutNice wooded campground with some sites adjacent to Payette river. One paved lane in/out with loop at end. Fairly level gravelled pads with picnic tables, tent pads and fire pits. We liked the steel campstove/griddle/bbq pedestals for cooking. Most sites are fairly well separated. We were able to get the last first come/first served site on a Saturday in late June. Ok for our 29’ fifth wheel, but over 32’ would be pretty tight to back in to some of the spots
ScoutGreat little free campground. 1 clean outhouse and 5 sites all with picnic tables, shade covers, and fire pits. We were the only ones there!
GuideThis 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
GuideHad a great weekend - the site was roughly 20 yards from the river so it was perfect. All the sites are kept clean (gravel) and have vault toilets throughout. First impression when you pull in? It looks bare and small but, the farther you drive in, the more appealing it becomes.
Only glitch in the weekend was an impromptu concert put on by a lady next to us. High pitched with what sounded like singing in tongues. But I guess each to their own…
Dispersed camping sites near Sawtooth National Forest provide access to over 756,000 acres of wilderness at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 10,751 feet. The area experiences dramatic temperature shifts, with summer days reaching 80°F but dropping to 40°F at night even in July and August. Multiple Forest Service roads throughout the region offer primitive camping spots with varying degrees of accessibility depending on vehicle clearance.
River fishing access: At Salmon River Campground, campers can fish directly from the banks. "I was able to catch several trout and eat them! It can get a little crowded on the river but its a ton of fun!" notes Nick P. The clear waters make fish spotting easier during summer months.
Water activities: Bull Trout Lake Campground offers a calm lake environment perfect for paddleboarding and kayaking. "The lake is shallow and perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking. We saw one person fishing!" explains Vivi W. The lake features gradually sloping shores suitable for launching small watercraft without boat ramps.
Mountain biking: Forest roads near Murdock Creek Dispersed provide access to numerous trails. "Close to hiking, fishing and mountain biking. Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill," reports Amy S. The adjacent rails-to-trails path extends over 30 miles on converted railroad grade with minimal elevation change.
Night sky viewing: Murdock Creek's location away from town lights creates optimal stargazing conditions. "The real treat came when we saw the beauty of the night sky unencumbered by city lights; the Milky Way was on full display," shares Chad L. about his glamping experience in the Sawtooth wilderness.
Spacious campsites: Many primitive glamping options in Sawtooth National Forest offer significant privacy. At Bull Trout, "All of the campsite we've seen were very spacious. We had a camper van and other people had tents. The sites fit a 5-person tent plus a 2 person tent, hammocks, camping table plus camping stove," according to Vivi W.
Riverside locations: Riverside Campground offers sites directly on the Salmon River. "Quiet spacious and on the salmon river. Happened to catch a huge bull trout and a even bigger chinook salmon while swinging for trout," Jessica C. reports. Most waterfront sites fill first, particularly on summer weekends.
Limited cell service: Throughout Sawtooth National Forest glamping locations, connectivity is minimal. At Bull Trout Lake, "This campsite is remote, no cell phone signal and that's what we were looking for. We were able to disconnect, relax and reset!" notes Vivi W. Plan offline navigation and emergency communications accordingly.
Temperature fluctuations: Alturas Inlet Campground experiences significant day-to-night temperature drops. "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," advises Jeane L.
Supply planning: Groceries and fuel may require significant driving from remote sites. "The closest grocery store and gas station is about 45 minutes from the campground so make sure you have everything you need, unless you plan on driving around!" warns a Bull Trout Lake camper.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Small mammals and birds frequent many Sawtooth glamping areas. At Bull Trout, one camper noted, "Tons of chip monks (drove him nuts LOL). We saw a lot of chip monks and pretty birds. Thanks fully we did not see any bears although it is bear country!"
Swimming options: For family water activities, Stanton Crossing offers river access suitable for children. "River runs close and plenty of shade!" notes Dakota S. The Big Wood River has several shallow entry points with moderate current.
Biking for children: Some glamping sites accommodate family cycling. "There's a small area for kids to go biking around these campsites," mentions Vivi W. about Bull Trout Lake, providing contained areas where younger riders can practice skills safely.
Site selection for larger vehicles: Smiley Creek Lodge accommodates various RV sizes but requires careful site selection. "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," advises Ben H.
Level parking considerations: Stanton Crossing offers free camping but with variable terrain. "The campground road is gravelly and circles most of the small campground so you can look for a good spot. There is one pit toilet, but we didn't use it," reports Barbara S., who successfully parked a 36-foot travel trailer at this location.
Limited hookup options: Many Sawtooth National Forest glamping areas offer minimal RV services. "There are no garbage cans or dumpsters so pack in and pack out. Also there were no water spigots that we found, so filter from the river or bring water," notes Laura M. about Stanton Crossing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Sawtooth National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Sawtooth National Forest is Smiley Creek Lodge with a 3.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Sawtooth National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 22 glamping camping locations near Sawtooth National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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