Map showing campground location near Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Camper submitted image from Smiley Creek Lodge

Smiley Creek Lodge

Reservable and open year-round, Smiley Creek Lodge sits just off the highway between Ketchum and Stanley, making it a practical overnight stop for RVs up to 45 feet with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer. Rates have run around $100 to $114 per night in recent seasons, which reviewers note feels steep given that sites are essentially a grassy pull-through area alongside the road. That said, hookups have been reported as functional, and early check-in requests have been accommodated by staff.

The RV area has been reduced to six sites under current ownership. Not all spots are equal: site 1 has lacked a picnic table and sewer connection, and site 17 has had a loose sewer hookup shared with a long-term resident. Bathrooms are a walk from the sites and feature a shower curtain rather than a door. No fire rings are available for RV campers, and tent camping is unofficial at best, with grassy overflow space but no dedicated tent pads or tables.

Nearby dispersed options provide alternatives for campers who want more than a highway pull-off. Sawtooth NF Dispersed near Horton Peak sits 2.1 miles northeast, and Perkins Lake is 2.7 miles northwest for those who want a more remote setup. The lodge also includes a gas station and restaurant, though recent reviews flag inconsistent service and food quality following a change in ownership.

Book ahead if you plan to use this as a base for Redfish Lake access. Sites fill during summer weekends, and availability is not guaranteed without a reservation.

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Map & DirectionsSmiley Creek Lodge is located in Idaho near Sawtooth National Forest

RV Park

Directions

FROM THE SOUTH: Simply drive north 37 miles fom the center of Ketchum on scenic Highway 75. This will take you over the panoramic Galena Summit. After you reach the valley floor you will find the Smiley Creek Lodge welcoming you on the left side of the road. FROM THE NORTH: Drive south 22 miles from Stanley on scenic Highway 75. You will have a stunning view of the Sawtooth as you drive through the valley.

Address

16546 Highway 75
Stanley, ID 83278

Coordinates

43.90714301 N
114.79656528 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 9/9/26
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 9/9/26
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Yurts

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
30 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 9 min from Twin Falls, ID
3 hrs 2 min from Boise, ID
3 hrs 8 min from Idaho Falls, ID
3 hrs 23 min from Pocatello, ID

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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Smiley Creek Lodge

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Many mentioned convenient location between Ketchum and Stanley with helpful staff, though recent ownership changes have brought service concerns. Some campers noted issues with uneven sites lacking basic amenities and premium pricing.

Jordan L.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2025

Kind staff, simple site

The staff at Smiley Lodge were super helpful and nice when I asked to check in early, and then needed to check out a couple hours late unexpectedly. The location is convenient just off the highway, and the sites were clean, easy to get into, and the hookups all worked great. With that said, $100 a night felt pretty steep for essentially a grass parking lot off the side of the highway.

Site4

Month of VisitJuly

Nora O.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2025

Expensive and low quality

We stayed here to be close to redfish lake to snatch a spot for camping there in the morning. For that it served its purpose but that is all that is positive about it. We had to pay 114 dollars for an rv site that was not level, did not have a picnic table or a fire ring, or even place to put a table and chairs. The bathroom is very far away, and there is only one, which does not have a door, but a shower curtain. The location is nice, but if possible I would keep driving to find a better place.

Site6

Month of VisitJuly

HEATHER M.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2025

Not doing well with new owners

Since the last reviews, the lodge has been sold. With that change in ownership has come changes in quality and service. The food is not good. The shakes are not great, and from my experience take 1.5 hours to make with not another single customer in the building. The service was horrible- the counter girl yelled at us for reminding her 4 times that I'd ordered a shake, telling us that they were busy when there was not another customer in sight. The table who left before us left without eating after they found an earbud in their salad. Yes, an Apple earbud that the cook claimed as his when they brought it to the counter. Being a local, I've heard stories about how customers have been turned away and yelled at regularly, how hours of operation are not consistent or reliable, how the quality of food has degraded drastically. We're all really sad because it's a community institution that we can no longer frequent. The new owners clearly don't have experience in this business, but we really hope they figure it out as it's a truly great business opportunity if they would learn some lessons from the previous owners about product quality, great service, and reliable availability. Everything about Smiley Creek Lodge is communicated word-of-mouth locally and in the surrounding communities of Stanley, Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey, etc. If it's bad, everyone knows really quickly, but if it's good, they'll know that too.

Month of VisitJuly

Holmes

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2023

Good in the end of season

New owners have downsized the RV area to only six sites. That being said I'm enjoying our trip in mid-September since only half are being filled. That being said site 1 is not very usable due to not having a table or sewer hookup.

We paid $100 a night which is a premium but given the location it felt worth it.

Month of VisitSeptember

Xander V.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2022

Great staff, clean place that caters mainly to RVs

I passed this place on Labor Day weekend and decided to stay. 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.

The bathroom/showers were small but clean.

The bar/restaurant serves good food and the staff and locals were very friendly and offered all kinds of suggestions for my trip

Month of VisitSeptember

carl B.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2022

Smiley creek lodge campground

Stayed here for 5 nights. Staff was extremely cooperative. Rode some awesome dirt bike trails. And enjoyed some delicious food.

Site4 best site

Month of VisitAugust

Ben H.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Good spot in the sawtooths

This is a good option between Ketchum and Stanley to go explore the sawtooth mountains. It’s a little bit of everything, lodge, yurts, cabins, rv spots, gas station, restaurant. RV spots were reasonable level. 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. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Smiley Creek Campground compare to Smiley Creek Lodge?

Smiley Creek Lodge and Smiley Creek Campground are essentially the same property. The Lodge is a multipurpose facility that offers various accommodation options including RV sites, which comprise the campground portion. The property features a lodge building with a restaurant, gas station, and a mix of lodging options including yurts and cabins in addition to the RV camping area. The campground section currently has six RV sites with hookups, while the Lodge provides additional services and amenities for all guests on the property.

What amenities are available at Smiley Creek Campground in Idaho?

Smiley Creek Campground offers RV sites with electric and water hookups, and some sites have sewer connections. The grounds include clean bathroom facilities with showers. Recreational amenities include horseshoes and bean bag games in a common area. The adjacent lodge houses a restaurant and gas station. Some RV sites have picnic tables and fire rings, though not all sites are equipped with these features. The facility also offers WiFi, though connectivity may vary. The property is well-positioned for outdoor recreation in the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains.

Where is Smiley Creek Campground located near Stanley, Idaho?

Smiley Creek Campground is strategically located between Ketchum and Stanley, Idaho, making it an excellent base for exploring the Sawtooth Mountains. The campground sits just off the highway, providing convenient access for travelers. It's positioned close enough to Redfish Lake that some visitors use it as an overnight stop before trying to secure camping at Redfish Lake. The location offers easy access to numerous dirt bike trails and outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding mountain terrain.

What are the current prices for camping at Smiley Creek in Idaho?

RV camping at Smiley Creek costs approximately $100-114 per night for sites with hookups. This price point reflects the prime location between Ketchum and Stanley near the Sawtooth Mountains. While this rate is on the premium side for the area, it provides convenient access to popular recreational destinations. Tent camping may be accommodated in grassy areas when available, though official tent sites with dedicated amenities aren't typically offered. Contact the lodge directly for current pricing and availability, as rates may fluctuate seasonally.

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