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Established Camping

Stanton Crossing

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Stanton Crossing, near Bellevue, Idaho, is a free camping spot that offers a straightforward experience for those looking to unwind. With a mix of tent and RV sites, it’s a decent place to pull over for a night or two, especially if you’re traveling through the area.

The campground is right by the Big Wood River, providing easy access for a quick dip or letting your dog splash around. Visitors have mentioned the abundance of trees, which offer some shade, but be prepared for a bit of road noise since it’s close to the highway. As one camper noted, “It was a nice break after spending the last few nights at Walmart's.”

Amenities are pretty basic here. There are pit toilets available, but you’ll need to pack out your trash since there are no garbage cans. Some campers appreciated the spaciousness of the area, with plenty of room for larger rigs, making it easy to find a suitable spot.

If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills camping experience, Stanton Crossing fits the bill. Just remember to bring your own water and firewood, and you’ll be set for a night under the stars.

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Location

Stanton Crossing is located in Idaho

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

43.32936429 N
114.319732 W

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Access

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

Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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General Info


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Reviews

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3.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 24, 2025

Good for a night!

We stopped here for the night while visiting Craters of the Moon. A convenient stop with a good amount of camping spots and free!

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2023

Pretty crowded for a Sunday

I was excited to pull in, but didn’t feel safe. This is a pretty good-sized area and lots of cars and rvs. I drove through and saw several open spaces, but I didn’t feel great about the neighbors. I have nothing to back this up, but my gut. I pulled into one of the few shady spots to camp overnight and leave in the morning. But, I decided to move on after about 20 minutes. You can hear a creek from the site and tons of bugs that come with water.

Siteunknown
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by beth , July 24, 2023
Reviewed Jun. 3, 2022

Free campsite

This was a great free spot. Even had a great camp host. She came over to see if we needed help when we pulled in. We found an open spot for our solar but there were also shady spots.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Debbie J., June 3, 2022
Reviewed Nov. 7, 2021

Dusty and Noisy

This campground sits right off of Hwy 20 along the Big Wood River. It is a dispersed campground with varying degrees of levelness and sizes. No real privacy here despite being surrounded by trees, mostly aspens which were starting to change color in September and give the place a little bit of a peaceful atmosphere. There were a few campers there with trailers when we were there that seemed to keep to themselves and only one of the trailers looked a little rundown and sketchy. 

There is river access which is nice and easy. There is road noise as it sits fairly close to the highway. 

There are pit toilets and a few of the “sites” have stone pits but fire restrictions are in effect so no fires at this time. There are no garbage cans or dumpsters so pack in and pack out. Also there were no water spigots that we found, so filter from the river or bring water. Overall this is a dusty fairly noisy stop good for a night. I wouldn’t make it a destination but if you’re tired of driving and need a place to crash it’s free and easily accessed. 

There is a 10 day limit on camping within a 30 day period. Weak Verizon, good ATT and no TMobile cell reception.

Month of VisitSeptember
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  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Laura M., November 7, 2021
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Laura M., November 7, 2021
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2021

Great spot for an overnight spot

This was a great spot to park and camp on our way through. River for a dog swim and multiple spots. Only complaint was it was hard to spot the entrance at night.

Sitepull in spot just past the cattle guard
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 2, 2021

Plenty of room for large rigs

We only stayed for one night. We have a 36ft travel Trailer and we're able to maneuver it very well. The campground road is gravelly and circles most of the small campground so you can look for a good spot. There is one pit toilet, but we didn't use it. We didn't use our computers but was able to get Amazon prime and watch a movie without glitches. Cell service was good (we have Verizon). There is a gas station and small grocery store 20 miles from the site so you are not totally removed from civilization. When we were there (in late April) it was quiet and not much traffic, this is a great place to stay for a few nights or more. Since this is a free campsite, it is not maintained but worth the stay.

Month of VisitApril
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  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Barbara S., May 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Barbara S., May 2, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 21, 2020

Not too bad!

This campground was a nice break after spending the last few nights at Walmart's. Yes, you can hear road noise but still quieter than the city! There were a lot of level spots to chose from and the trees were a welcomed sight in the 90 degree heat.

  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Jessy M., July 21, 2020
Reviewed Jun. 12, 2019

Clean but traffic...

Camp ground was clean and nice! River runs close and plenty of shade! The only complaint is it is right next to a busy road so you get to listen to semi trucks drive by all night.

  • Review photo of Stanton Crossing by Dakota S., June 12, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp at Magic Reservoir near Stanton Crossing?

While Stanton Crossing itself is located along the Big Wood River, Magic Reservoir is in the same general region of south-central Idaho. The reservoir does offer camping opportunities separate from Stanton Crossing. If you're looking to camp specifically at Stanton Crossing, you'll be situated along the river rather than at the reservoir. For those wanting to explore both areas, they're within reasonable driving distance of each other, making it possible to visit Magic Reservoir during your stay.

Where is Stanton Crossing Campground located in Idaho?

Stanton Crossing Campground is located alongside Highway 20 in south-central Idaho, situated on the banks of the Big Wood River. The campground is conveniently positioned as a stopover point for travelers, making it accessible for those visiting nearby attractions like Craters of the Moon National Monument. Its riverside setting offers pleasant views, though its proximity to the highway means you'll hear some road noise from passing vehicles, including semi-trucks.

How far is Stanton Crossing Campground from Sun Valley, Idaho?

Stanton Crossing Campground is approximately 30-40 miles from Sun Valley, Idaho, making it about a 40-minute to one-hour drive depending on traffic and conditions. This distance positions Stanton Crossing as a more affordable alternative to staying directly in the Sun Valley area, which is known for its upscale accommodations. The drive between the two locations follows scenic routes through south-central Idaho, offering mountain views along the way. For visitors planning day trips to Sun Valley while keeping camping costs low, Stanton Crossing provides a practical base.

What amenities and facilities are available at Stanton Crossing Campground?

Stanton Crossing is a basic, free dispersed campground with minimal amenities. The site features one pit toilet, a circular gravel road for easy navigation, and various camping spots with different levels of shade from aspen trees. There are no hookups, but the area accommodates larger RVs (up to 36-foot travel trailers have been reported to navigate easily). The Big Wood River runs alongside the campground, providing water access for pets and recreation. A camp host is sometimes present to assist visitors. The campground offers both sunny spots ideal for solar power and shaded areas for those preferring cooler temperatures.