Are you in need of a campground near Stanley, ID? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Stanley campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Stanley, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$24 - $48 / night
"What a beautiful campground with the views of the lake and mountains. Our site was perfect for our 23’ travel trailer and well maintained."
"What a beautiful setting on Stanley Lake. Nice sites. A few minutes into the town of Stanley. Good fishing."
$24 - $125 / night
"We found this National Forest dispersed campsite 1/2 mile North of Sunny Gulch campground on Highway 75 outside of Stanley, Idaho."
"Sunny Gulch is a NFS campground right between Stanley, Idaho and Redfish Lake. The views are incredible and the location can’t be beat."
$18 - $36 / night
"Campground was right on the Salmon River and right off of the highway. Great location just a few minutes outside of Stanley,ID."
"Central to everything Stanley can offer and the trailheads and river at the site give you plenty to do."
"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"
"Got to Stanley area around 6pm on a Friday. Drove to Stanley Lake and Iron Creek but everything was full."
"Redfish Lake is one of the most beautiful blue lakes in Idaho. We went there on a weekday in May, and there was hardly anybody there."
"It has great campgrounds nearby but is also a great place to set off into the vast Sawtooth wilderness!"
$26 / night
"Lovely little campground with many amenities close to Redfish Lake Lodge. Each campsite has a dedicated level pad for tents, a picnic table, a bear box, and fire ring."
"Rredfish Lake is absolutely gorgeous but with that beauty draws pretty big crowds. Be sure to reserve or arrive very early to get a walk in spot anywhere around the lake."
"In this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3."
"Convenient location to Redfish Lake and Stanley. Road and spots have recently been updated with packed sand like substance. Sites marked with large stones."
$15 - $30 / night
"No service and closest fuel and food stop is Stanley or Lowman."
"The campground itself is tucked into a valley of sorts so you are surrounded by trees everywhere. The biggest attraction here is the creek."
$22 / night
"Good for dogs! Beautiful place and good access to water. Can walk around and trailheads close by."
"Incredible views of Stanley lake, can get busy during summer months (reservations recommended if possible). Beautiful trails in the area (take your bear spray)."
TravelerThis site was right along a river that was very beautiful but the campground was on higher ground so most people walked down to the entrance where you could get to the river or some people stood on the bridge to fish. Not all spots have trees, so be careful if you have pets. They did have three campsites for people with horses to camp. Not our cup of tea but if you are low maintenance or bring it all with you then this may be your pace. No other amenities. Right up the road from Stanley.
LegendArea of FS road #638 and #630. Large flat area around an old burrow pit. Very popular and lots of campers when I visited. Not a lot of privacy in my opinion, but it is only a few miles from Stanley Lake boat ramp.
LegendThis area along lower Iron Creek Road had some rough free dispersed spots that had cell signal from Stanley. As of June 2023 there are info boards and signage that notes dispersed camping only in designated spots marked on the ground with new signs. I saw an A group and a B group and may be more farther up but the road was so rough washboard potholed I did not check. These sites are small and not suitable for RVs and large TTs in my opinion. No toilets, no dumpsters and no water. However, this is very close to Stanley town.
ScoutBeautiful campground located at the mouth of Sawtooth Natl Forest. Right next to Wood River and surrounded by huge cottonwoods. Vault toilets and well water from spigot available. Pets allowed on leash. Good basecamp for exploring the Sawtooth area and Ketchum! I only knocked it down to 4 stars for highway noise which was rarely bothersome.
TravelerWe found this National Forest dispersed campsite 1/2 mile North of Sunny Gulch campground on Highway 75 outside of Stanley, Idaho. We fit 3 campers down here no problem but the biggest camper was 21’ long and we don’t recommend much bigger. We also had to use 4–wheel drive to get over the bull rock down to the site. Can’t ask for a better spot next to the river though!
RangerSunny Gulch is a NFS campground right between Stanley, Idaho and Redfish Lake. The views are incredible and the location can’t be beat. The campground has two loops with the lower loop being closer to Highway 75 (not noisy at all at night) and more appropriate for smaller rigs while the upper loop has some larger sites with some above the Salmon River. All sites have picnic table, prep table, fire ring and tent pad and are quite large and lots of space between sites. Sites are FCFS except for 10 reservable sites; camp host is fantastic and super friendly. Firewood is available at the host site and vault toilets are located throughout the campground and water pumps are also positioned within a short walk of most sites. The Ranger Station is 1/2 mile away and has four dump stations ($12 as of this review) and free fresh water if the pumps at the campground don’t suit your needs.
Redfish Lake and all that encompasses is 1/2 mile to the south; the town of Stanley is beyond the Ranger Station about 2 miles to the north. We’ll definitely stay here again if we’re in the area!
RangerIt was the perfect location close to Stanley. It was a bit dusty. Bathroom was clean. Showers were good. The food at the restaurant was amazing. We have AT&T and no cell service. There is no trees for shade. Had to walk the dogs a little further to do their business.
GuideWe were hauling across Idaho and Stanley was BUSY! Campgrounds were loaded with people RV’s. Stanley looked like a great little town, but we had to get away from the crowds.
We ended up going out 75N to check out some sites. There were quite a few nice places along the Salmon River. The river was gorgeous and a hotbed for fishing/rafting.
We ended up going north along the Yankee Fork in Sunbeam. The campground had 4-5 sites all mostly along the river. Restrooms were in quite good shape and all but one site was taken. As per usual, we did FF on a busy weekend and still got a site around 5 or 6. We couldn’t believe it was open as the sites had fire rings, tables, and space between.
GuideIn this video we provide a comprehensive review of 3 of the free boondocking(dispersed camping) sites near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Salmon River Designated Spots 1, 2 and 3. All locations are in the Sawtooth National Forest and there is a 10 day stay limit between May 1- September 15th with an unlimited stay limited outside of that time period.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WWH8Vb49Ow&t=531s
Discover the perfect spots for pets-allowed camping near Stanley, Idaho, where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best pet-friendly campgrounds in Stanley, Idaho?
Stanley offers several excellent pet-friendly camping options. Lake View Campground is particularly good for dogs with easy water access and nearby trails for walks. Sunny Gulch Campground provides a pet-friendly environment between Stanley and Redfish Lake with incredible views. For those seeking more seclusion, dispersed camping along the Salmon River offers pet-friendly alternatives. Most campgrounds in the Stanley area welcome leashed pets, but always clean up after your dog and keep them under control to respect wildlife and other campers.
What are the pet policies at Stanley Lake Campground?
Stanley Lake Campground welcomes pets but requires them to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times. Dogs must never be left unattended at your campsite or in vehicles. Owners are responsible for cleaning up and properly disposing of pet waste. The campground's proximity to Stanley Lake offers nice walking opportunities for dogs, though they should remain leashed near water areas. Be aware that this is a popular campground with consistent traffic, so keep pets secure for their safety and the comfort of other campers.
Are there any off-leash areas for dogs at campgrounds in Stanley, Idaho?
Most Stanley area campgrounds require dogs to remain on leash at all times, including Blind Creek Campground and Decker Flats Dispersed. While there are no designated off-leash areas within the campgrounds themselves, some dispersed camping locations offer more flexibility depending on visitor traffic. When camping in less developed areas, you may have more freedom, but always maintain control of your dog. Remember that leash requirements exist to protect wildlife, prevent conflicts with other visitors, and keep your pet safe in areas with potential hazards like wildlife encounters and steep terrain.
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