Top Tent Camping near Sun Valley, ID

Looking for the best options for tent camping near Sun Valley? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Sun Valley, ID (56)

Showing results 1-10 of 56 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews In Sun Valley

379 Reviews of 56 Sun Valley Campgrounds


  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Casino Creek Campground
    Nov. 1, 2024

    Casino Creek Campground

    Access to excellent trails

    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.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Corral Creek Designated Dispersed
    Oct. 31, 2024

    Corral Creek Designated Dispersed

    Large dispersed site near creek

    Free designated dispersed campsite along Sawtooth Nation Forest Road 137. Camped here at the end of September 2024. Very large designated dispersed site set downhill from the forest road; no issues with dust from this road. The area is level. May be able to park 3 rigs. Tent camping is possible back from the parking area toward the metal firering. This area can accommodate 3 or 4 tents, or one big hot tent. Corral Creek is just down a short path from the campsite. The sound of the creek can be heard at the site. Very quiet area. Mountains on either side of the site. The parking area is dirt and gravel. The "tent" area is grass and dirt. Don't see opportunities for hammock camping. No cell service. No shade; solar recharging and Starlink possible. 3 day limit. Hiking trailheads and vault toilet at the end of the forest road.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Star Hope
    Oct. 30, 2024

    Star Hope

    Primitive camping in Copper Basin

    $10 (paid $5 with senior pass). First come, first served. Camped at site #10 in late September 2024. This primitive national forest campground was not busy during my visit. Copper Basin Loop Road accessing this campground, which has a gravel surface, was in good condition; there was some washboarding in a few places. The campground has a lower loop and an upper loop. The campground has a mix of pull-through and back-in sites; some leveling may be reuired in some sites. Site #10 is a short gravel pull-thru in the upper loop, good fit for my campervan, although very close to the campground road. There is a short path from the site driveway down to a picnic table and metal fire ring. The ground is a little chewed up from voles and cow hooves. Tent and hammock camping are possible. This site has partial shade; others in the loop are open. Little privacy between sites. Depending on the site, you can get a view of Copper Basin from the upper loop. The upper loop has two clean vault toilet facilities; I didn't use the vault toilet in the lower loop, but assume that it is clean. There is a hand water pump in both loops but shut down for the season during our visit. Trout fishing in nearby Star Hope Creek was pretty good; it's about a 1/4 mile walk from my campsite. No T-Mobile or AT&T cell service. Overall, a pretty campground; mostly wooded. I would camp here again. Boondocking is also possible along the Copper Basin Loop Rd.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron Bog Campground
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Iron Bog Campground

    Pretty location - peaceful stay

    $10 ($5 with interagency pass). First-come, first-served. Camped one night in site #13 on Sept 24, 2024. Gravel road to this out-of-the-way campground was in good condition. Pretty part of the Challis National Forest. Nothing remarkable about the campground itself. Looks like some of the sites have not been maintained in a while; overgrown with weeds, grass and sagebrush. Sites have tables and fire rings; some had shade-awnings over the tables. The vault toilets were clean. The hand water pump did not pump water; water was probably turned off for the season. No payment envelopes were provided - maybe because it was the end of the season. No hiking trails. Most sites are in the open with no shade; a few were shaded near the creek. Gravel campground road and site driveways. Site sizes varied. No privacy between sites. Tent camping possible. Solar recharging possible at my site. Great views of the mountains around the campground. Very quiet, peaceful evening; only one other site was occupied during my visit. No T-Mobile and AT&T cell service. There were several boondocking sites on the way to the campground.

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Decker Flats Dispersed
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Decker Flats Dispersed

    Nice place close to great trailheads

    I enjoyed my 2 night stay here. I pitched a tent however it was quite windy due to it being an open area so just stake your tent down well. I had a spot right beside the salmon river and was able to access this campsite via my Honda Accord vehicle.

  • Marley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron Creek Campground
    Oct. 10, 2024

    Iron Creek Campground

    Peaceful

    My husband and I came to this spot with our 28ft trailer, luckily we were able to squeeze in. Lots of spots to choose from too. The campsites were clean and very peaceful place to camp for a few nights.

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Decker Flats Dispersed
    Oct. 5, 2024

    Decker Flats Dispersed

    Very nice stay close to the Sawtooth mountains

    This was a great stay. I found a place to pitch a tent right beside the river. There seemed to be plenty of spots some vacant at times. It was close to Highway 75 but did get some traffic noise but the river drowned most of it out. Would stay here again!

  • James B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Craters of the Moon Wilderness
    Oct. 3, 2024

    Craters of the Moon Wilderness

    Beautiful spot in a hidden gem

    We came to Craters of the Moon early, ended up being there most of the day. Instead of going on and trying to find dispersed camping, we treated ourselves to a site in the park. Sites are $15, and you must have the American the Beautiful Pass or pay park entry fee. The sites are dry camping with toilet facilities and water (no dump station). The sites are right in amongst lava field and is quite unique.
    Campground was very quiet at night and very dark. Could see the sky and stars wonderfully. Definitely a great park and place to stay.

  • Ben H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Deadman Hole Dispersed
    Sep. 4, 2024

    Deadman Hole Dispersed

    Simple

    Stayed here for two nights. The first night I have the whole area to myself. The second night there was two other campers. Doesn't seem to be super popular or high in demand. So finding a spot shouldn't be a problem. There was about six or more parking/camping areas. No Wi-Fi or Verizon signal. There is a toilet available. Access to the river as well.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dog Creek Campground - Idaho
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Dog Creek Campground - Idaho

    It's ok as a fall-back option

    My wife and I were forced to make last minute changes to our camping trip this year(thanks to the Wapiti 2024 fire in Stanley) and Dog Creek was the only campground available on the dates we had set aside. We had been up to Pine once before but had never explored past the town. 

    The campground itself is quiet and away from the main road but it is directly parallel to the South Fork of the Boise River. There are a TON of ponderosa pines and other various pine trees so the campground looks small because of the dense tree cover. From the main road, the main drive is a fairly narrow paved dirt/gravel road and not bumpy at all so most vehicles shouldn’t have an issue with it. 

    The camp sites themselves are a little close to each other but you’re not shoulder to shoulder or directly on top of each other. The camp host greeted us upon our arrival, filled us in on the fire restrictions and said to let him know if we needed anything. 

    We had reserved sites 10 and 11 but in reality, they might as well call it a group site because there is no separation between the two, you even share a"driveway”. There were fire rings, tent pads(at some sites) and picnic tables, along with shepherds hooks for hanging trash off of the ground. There were also metal tables at every site that we think are intended for camp stoves.(The picnic tables are wood)The fire rings were well cared for(none damaged that we saw and they all had adjustable grills)….but our fire ring was very close to the bushes which was a little sketchy. 

    This campground is nice and quiet and full of trees. But unfortunately, for us, that’s where the appeal ends. In order to get to the actual Dog Creek from the campground, you have to hope that sites 2 and 5 are not occupied and even then, the creek isn’t super exciting. It’s pretty but it’s a climb down into a ravine of sorts and it’s not deep enough to lay in and there aren’t any places to setup chairs to just enjoy it. The water flowing through the creek is clean and it is pretty to look at, but that’s about all it’s good for. 

    As for other things to do at the campground, there isn’t much. There are no hiking trails as far as we could tell, but if you go across the street to the river, you can actually enjoy your stay, assuming the banks of the river aren’t packed with dispersed campers and their ATV’s. 

    The campground does have water spigots and the water tasted fine. The restrooms(vault toilets) were impeccable in terms of cleanliness. Some of the nicest Forest Service campground restrooms we’ve used and the camp host does an awesome job of keeping them clean and bug free. 

    Speaking of bugs, we didn’t see many mosquitoes but we did see a good amount of bees, wasps and yellow jackets and there were traps setup throughout the campground so bring an epi pen if you’re allergic to any of them. 

    We lost cell service just after the reservoir (T-Mobile) but my satellite communicator worked fairly well at the campground. 

    There are dumpsters to take your trash just inside the entrance to the campground, which is a little annoying as you have to walk quite a ways to dump it, but there were also no critters hanging around the sites. 

    Dog Creek campground is the type of campground where you setup your camper or RV and leave for the day to do other things. Whether it’s boating at Anderson Ranch, taking the ATV’s up into the mountains or try to find hiking trails. The campground itself is very pretty BUT it doesn’t offer much in terms of things to do while there. However, if you are looking for some peace and quiet, with very little noise from the outside world, it’s great.

  • Kathryn D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed

    Creekside!

    Delightful creekside free campsites! Turn at the BLM sign and take a little gravel road to several free creekside spots! There are at least two pit toilets, one at a spot with two picnic tables, each has a great shade, fire pit, and a place for a camp stove! One has a flat raised gravel spot for a tent, which was good because we actually saw a couple mice. The second pit toilet was further down the road at a more separated spot, it looked like it was ADA accessible and also had a picnic table, etc. Close enough to Carey to get gas/ice. Only giving it 4 stars because of the mice (pack out your own trash guys! It isn’t hard!) and the complete lack of trees, the covers over the picnic tables did proved shade, but it still got crazy hot.

  • Jessie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron Creek Campground
    Jul. 24, 2024

    Iron Creek Campground

    Absolutely Beautiful!

    We stayed at this campground initially because it was right at the trailhead for the hike to Goat Lake. We got there around 5 and there were still plenty of sites available. It was pretty buggy, but it’s right next to a creek, so that’s what you expect. It was quiet and the sound of the creek made it easy to sleep after a long day.

  • Pearce F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed

    Great night on Silver Creek

    Arrived later than I wanted and was thrilled to find site 1, I believe this was the North entrance, was available. Great spot with a pit toilet and table. Plenty of room to park and level. Loved listening to the creek all night. Wet a fly the next morning and caught a great brown trout. Lots of little dinkers, too.

  • Cindy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest
    Jul. 6, 2024

    North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest

    Great Place to get away

    It’s a quiet place. It is dusty. The camp host was awesome. He was quick to tell us what sites were still available on a holiday weekend. He even alerted the campers that a bear was spotted a few miles down. There is no power and no cell service.

  • laura S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hayspur Hatchery
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Hayspur Hatchery

    Free, beautiful, a little buggy

    Free (donation box) camping. I have a hard time imagining this place filling up, plenty of field to park in. Most RVs were under a row of trees. Two vault toilets, on either end of camping. Not the cleanest or freshest I’ve used, but not the worst. Great scenery and birdwatching. Good stop on the way to/from Craters.

  • Maddie P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Nip and Tuck Rd - Dispersed Camping

    Less busy than other camping areas

    Got to Stanley area around 6pm on a Friday. Drove to Stanley Lake and Iron Creek but everything was full. Decided to drive down Rd 653 then to Rd 633 to see if there was anything open and found a good spot about 2 miles in from hwy 21. I passed quite a few people but spots are pretty far apart and the only people I could see from my campsite were all the way across the valley. Only animals I saw were some antelope, ground squirrels, and cows. Pretty wildflowers all around too. It was a good place to stop for the night!

  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Craters of the Moon Wilderness
    Jun. 29, 2024

    Craters of the Moon Wilderness

    Great unique campground right inside the national park!

    Great sites nestled In The lava rocks. Great hiking or biking the 7mi loop road. We didn't have reservations but got there early (2pm) it looked very full by 6pm. We got our spot, then drove our rv around to the different scenic spots and returned to camp 5 hrs later.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pettit Lake Campground
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Pettit Lake Campground

    Fantastic location - super full

    We drove in on a late Thursday night, June 27th, to find the entire campground packed, and even struggled to find a dispersed camping site nearby. It's a great spot, but for it being a Thursday night, expected to find a bit more available.

  • Martijn D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Craters of the Moon Wilderness
    Jun. 22, 2024

    Craters of the Moon Wilderness

    Camp in a volcano Crater

    It was a special camping experience. They just renewed all the roads in the park. Campground is right next to loop around the park with some nice spots. Clean flushing toilets and water. Get there in time! We had one of the last spots at 5pm

  • Amber G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Picabo Angler Silver Creek RV Park
    Jun. 9, 2024

    Picabo Angler Silver Creek RV Park

    Just okay

    Spent two nights here so we could visit nearby Craters of the Moon. Spaces are long and level at least. Fire pits are shared with 1-2 other spots. Our table was completely leaning over. Neither of the bathroom toilets would flush. The sprinklers came on in the middle of camp and soaked everything with no warning. Okay if you need a quick stop for the night.

  • Adrian J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Petit Lake Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 5, 2024

    Petit Lake Dispersed Camping

    Alone on a stream,

    There are many sites up until the dead-end about 1.5 miles from the pay campground.  I camped up on the stream.  Great boondocking was here for a week. The road is in great shape. A couple of big rocks here and there.  Plenty of places to do a 3-point turnaround with any rig.

    No cell coverage.  Got ok starlink between trees.

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Petit Lake Dispersed Camping
    May. 13, 2024

    Petit Lake Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful Area

    This area just up the road from the campground offers lots of dispersed camping.  There are many established sites, some with fire rings, any car can make it.

    Visited August 17-18, 2023 (adding reviews for past camp sites before I knew of the dyrt)

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Chemeketan Campground
    May. 10, 2024

    Chemeketan Campground

    Didn’t make it all the way- excited to come back

    We were very excited to check out this campground. Located 4 miles off Hwy 75, we only made it 1.5 up the road before snow prevented us from going further. We can’t wait to come back when it’s warmer and leave a full review.

  • Nicki S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Antelope Creek
    Feb. 22, 2024

    Antelope Creek

    Great

    This site was pretty easy to find. There were a couple of campers camped closer to the road from the turn-off but we managed to find a spot that was secluded and perfect for us right next to the creek. Tons of space, especially since we were by ourselves. Had a real fire pit! This was a cold stay and our tent was covered in frost in the morning, but a good spot to be. Close enough to town, close enough to hiking.



Guide to Sun Valley

Camping near Sun Valley, Idaho, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: The area is filled with trails for all skill levels. Many campers enjoy the Harriman Trail, which provides access to beautiful scenery. One visitor noted, "It's literally integrated with the 'Harriman trail' which provides access up and down the valley for runners, bikers, and hikers" at North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest.

  • Fishing: If you love fishing, the nearby rivers and lakes are perfect spots. A camper at Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed shared, "Wet a fly the next morning and caught a great brown trout."

  • Wildlife Watching: Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife. One happy camper at Murdock Creek Dispersed mentioned, "There is a good chance at wildlife sightings."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A visitor at Pettit Lake Campground said, "Clean vault toilets and clean sites. Camp host was really helpful and sweet."
  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Alturas Inlet Campground described it as "one of the most gorgeous locations for camping."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many campgrounds offer a peaceful experience away from the hustle and bustle. A camper at North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest appreciated the "quiet place" despite some highway noise.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Silver Creek Public Access Dispersed, do not have drinking water or trash services. One camper noted, "Pack out your own trash guys! It isn’t hard!"
  • Bear Country: Be bear aware and store food properly. A visitor at Smokey Bear mentioned, "There were plenty of signs reminding campers to be bear aware."
  • Cell Service: Expect limited or no cell service in many areas. A camper at Wood River Campground said, "Zero cell reception."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. A family at Murdock Creek Dispersed enjoyed the "picnic table, partial shade, and fire ring."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep kids entertained. One camper at Pettit Lake Campground mentioned, "We used it as a base camp to mountain bike, play in the river."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids, especially near water. A visitor at North Fork Campground - Sawtooth National Forest warned about a bear sighting nearby.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Stanton Crossing noted, "We have a 36ft travel trailer and were able to maneuver it very well."
  • Look for Paved Roads: Paved roads can make access easier. A visitor at Wood River Campground appreciated that "paved road throughout the campground helps to cut down on the dust."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Many campgrounds don’t have hookups. A camper at Pettit Lake Campground mentioned, "No cell coverage."

Camping around Sun Valley, Idaho, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but be prepared for the unique challenges and rewards that come with it!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sun Valley, ID?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sun Valley, ID is Uncle Johns Gulch on Corral Creek Road with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Sun Valley, ID?

    TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near Sun Valley, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.