Best Campgrounds near Stanley, ID

Large open sites. Big rigs go left and park on top. Large areas, can accommodate dozens of RVs and tents.

Avoid during holidays, people leave tents and rvs for days to keep the spot despite rules and the ranger station will do nothing about it. At those times expect loud parties and even fights or gunfire which the rangers will also do nothing about.

Other than that its great. Take a right on the highway and head to the sourdough lodge for the best pancakes for hundreds of miles.

There are many other dispersed and paid spots along the highway.

Details: Free camping 14 Day limit No tables at campsites Minimal wood to scavenge Town of Lowman is close by No trash, water, or toilets

Views are wonderful and the fishing is good. No, this is not near Lowman as Dyrt claims. The drive is a long dirt road, vibrates a lot but not exactly bumpy. Any car can do it. Coming in from the SE side at the exit just past the rest stop after leaving boise is a far better drive.

You could bring in a 30-35 footer but be sure to have clearance. For some spots you will need to turn around the lower parking area which may be a problem on weekends. Show up on a Wednesday if you for sure want to stay a few days.

I have visited numerous times in spring and fall. After snow starts melting it gets high fast and is un-fishable. If you are a fisherman check usgs. A river monitoring station is just up the road maybe 3 miles.

My last visit the trash and treatment was so bad the rangers said there were discussions of either closing it or turning it to a paid CG.

Wood is scare but easy to find if you drive the roads. Plenty of hiking. During hunting season it will fill up.

Details: Toilet might be maintained or might not Campers have been trashing the grounds since early 2024 Hunters and fisherman are nice and friendly, others not so much Long drive to town; the first 22 miles are on that road and will take 30-45 min depending on vehicle, another 20 at least to reach anywhere for supplies Inspection point at the exit sometimes for fishing and hunting Free stay, 14 day max

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.