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Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

6 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Road noise from Highway 75 is the trade-off at Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed, a Forest Service dispersed area that functions as a practical fallback when the developed campgrounds nearby fill up. The sites are organized into two loops, with a left-side section offering seven back-in spots and one pull-through, and a right-side section holding around eight established sites. The road in has historically been rough with ruts and rocks, though recent reports note it has been regraded with a packed sand-like surface and sites are now marked with large stones.

Proximity to Sunny Gulch Campground is one of the more useful features here. That developed campground sits less than a quarter mile away, and Chinook Bay Campground is also nearby. Each site at the overflow area has a stone fire ring, but there are no picnic tables, grills, or tent pads, so campers should come prepared with their own seating and cooking setup. A vault toilet is on-site. Potable water and dump stations are available at both Redfish Lake and the Stanley Ranger Station, each a short drive away.

"Traffic noise during the day, but pretty much quiet at night," notes Richard C., who found the campground clean and well-maintained on a late September visit. Weekday stays tend to be open; weekends draw more rigs and generator use. Anglers and those planning to access Redfish Lake will find this a workable base. Campers exploring camping destinations around Stanley can also use the town for propane refills and other resupply needs. Stopping at the Forest Service office before arrival is worth the time for current road and site information.

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Map & DirectionsRedfish Lake Overflow Dispersed is located in Idaho near Stanley

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

44.1723 N
114.9063 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 8/7/26
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    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 8/7/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 3 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 8/7/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage
    Verified by 5 users
    Last on 8/7/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

33%
50%
17%
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4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Free dispersed camping near Redfish Lake with established fire rings and recently improved sites. Road noise during day but quieter nights, with vault toilet cleanliness varying by visit timing.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jun. 15, 2026

Convenient

Located right off the highway, this is an easy to reach location with nice spots.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2025

Very clean campground

The campground was right off the highway. Traffic noise during the day, but pretty much quiet at night. Only three other campers besides us. Redfish lake campgrounds were full. I would stay here again, as it was clean, well maintained, and the vault toilet was very clean.

SiteNear the rivers edge.
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2025

Convienent location

Convenient location to Redfish Lake and Stanley. Road and spots have recently been updated with packed sand like substance. Sites marked with large stones. To the far right there is no trailer turn around but a site large enough for a 5th wheel if you back all the way in. Center area has back in and a couple pull thrus. To the left there are 7 back in spots and 1 in the middle that can be a pull thru. The left side is better for solar with larger spots. Potable water and dump at both Redfish Lake and Stanley Ranger station. Both areas are $12 and both a short drive. Dumpsters at both locations. We were her mid September and it was pretty open during the week but filled up on the weekend. Close to 75 so road noise but it calms down at night. 4 rating was because of road noise and generators (including open frame) running nonstop over the weekend. Weather was beautiful (70s) during day and low 30s to high 20s at night. Propane refill in Stanley.

Siteleft side
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Mark , September 20, 2025
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Mark , September 20, 2025
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Mark , September 20, 2025
Reviewed Jul. 22, 2025

Dispersed camping near the Salmon river

There is an outhouse and each site has a fire ring. Some sites are large enough for bigger rigs. Directly across the street there is a nice gravel mountain bike trail that leads past the ranger station

Month of VisitJuly
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Amy K., July 22, 2025
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Amy K., July 22, 2025
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2020

Gorgeous fall views

When I got to redfish lake, it was already to late in the season (September) to camp here. I was still able to check out the campground and it had amazing spots right on the lake. There were nice restrooms and water available. I would like to come back here in the summer and camp here when the water isn't to cold and the campground is open!

  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Hannah C., July 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Hannah C., July 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Hannah C., July 31, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2019

Dispersed with vault toilet

If you show up to Redfish Lake on a busy weekend and all of the campgrounds are reserved/full, no worries. There is a bunch of free dispersed camping all along highway 75. A quick stop at the Forest Service Office down the road and I had a pretty good map of the forest roads in the area, but more importantly, a tip about free camping a stone’s throw away from Redfish Lake and Sunny Gulch campground. The road in is a bit rough with ruts and rocks, but there are several established sites with fire rings. There was a loop to the right with about 8 such sites and a loop to the right with about 5 sites as well as one that was hidden behind the site I chose that you had to walk in to(it was actually a nicer site than the one I chose, but I was tired and set up before I saw it on my explorations. There was one vault toilet that was not especially clean, but free is free, and if you really wanted to, you could walk less than a quarter mile across to the developed Sunny Gulch campground. There are no picnic tables or grills or tent pads, but definitely stone fire rings at each site so no worries as long as you brought your own camp chair. If you need a shower, head into Redfish Lake to use the public pay showers there.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Annie C., August 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Annie C., August 1, 2019
  • Review photo of Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed by Annie C., August 1, 2019
  • (10) View All
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find dispersed camping near Redfish Lake in Idaho?

Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed camping is available along Highway 75 near Redfish Lake when the main campgrounds are full. For additional options, check out the Salmon River Designated Spots in Sawtooth National Forest. The Forest Service Office down the road provides maps of forest roads in the area where dispersed camping is permitted. These free sites offer a great alternative when the main Redfish Lake campgrounds are at capacity.

What is the Redfish Lake overflow dispersed camping area?

The Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed camping area is a free alternative when the main Redfish Lake campgrounds are full. It features basic amenities including fire rings at each site and an outhouse. Some sites can accommodate larger rigs. The area is located along Highway 75 and provides a convenient option for campers who arrive when the main campgrounds are already reserved or at capacity.

Are there shower facilities at Redfish Lake for dispersed campers?

The Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed camping area does not have shower facilities on-site. Basic amenities include an outhouse and fire rings. For showers, check the main Redfish Lake recreation area, which typically offers more developed facilities. Dispersed campers often use the main recreation area's amenities while enjoying the free camping options nearby. Contact the Forest Service Office for current information about shower access.

Is there free dispersed camping available near Stanley, Idaho?

Yes, free dispersed camping is available near Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth National Forest. Options include the Redfish Lake Overflow sites along Highway 75 and the Salmon River Designated Spots (areas 1, 2, and 3). These free boondocking sites have a 10-day stay limit between May 1 and September 15. The Forest Service Office can provide maps showing these dispersed camping locations throughout the area.

Do I need reservations for Redfish Lake campgrounds?

Reservations are highly recommended for the main Redfish Lake campgrounds, especially during peak season. These campgrounds fill up quickly, particularly on weekends. The Redfish Lake Overflow Dispersed camping area serves as a free alternative when the main campgrounds are full, and doesn't require reservations. During September and other shoulder season times, campgrounds may have more availability. Check with the Forest Service for the most current reservation requirements.

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