Trap Creek Campground
Trap Creek Campground is located in a beautiful valley at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountain Range in central Idaho.
More like this: reservable in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 40 / 8 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This small campground offers one group site that consists of three smaller sites. Vault toilets are provided. The road to the site and the parking spur within are paved.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May to September |
| Forest | Sawtooth National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made by clicking on the following link www.recreation.gov/camping/trap-creek-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70348 or by calling (877)444-6777. |
| Fees | Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and Information |
| Rules | Please keep pets on a leash. All occupancy (includes developed/dispersed camping, boats, boat trailers, travel trailers, tents, etc): Occupancy limit is 10 days in a 30 day period within a 30 mile radius for all of SNRA. Campers must occupy the site the first night and cannot go more than 24 hours thereafter without occupying the site. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Stanley, Idaho, take State Highway 21 west 12 miles. Take Forest Road 540 to Trap Creek Campground, located adjacent to State Highway 21.
| Coordinates | 44.3164° N, 115.0881° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- If the group site is not reserved, the individual sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
23 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
43 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Worth a stop
Numerous sparkling lakes and streams, including the Salmon River, dot the area, making for great rainbow and native Westslope cutthroat trout fishing. Stanley and Redfish Lakes are nearby, offering great boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.
- 2.1 miElk Meadow Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 4.3 miElk Mountain Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 14.7 miOrval Hansen Point Beach ↗Swimming
Trails nearby
- 1.7 miTrap Creek3.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.7 miTrap Creek0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.8 miElk Mountain Cutoff ↗5.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.1 miElk Creek0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.4 miTrap Creek to Stanley Lake ↗7.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.4 miEast Fork Valley Creek0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.1 miElk Meadow Trailhead ↗Sawtooth National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Boise National Forest.
- inBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
- 3.3 miSawtooth National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,190,139 acres
- 8.2 miSalmon-Challis National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 4,396,382 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Ivan W. Day HouseBuilding · Stanley · 7.5 mi
- Stanley Ranger StationBuilding · Stanley · 10 mi
- Niece Brothers' StoreBuilding · Stanley · 10.1 mi
Natural features
Summer wildflowers are plentiful and a mixed stand of pines provides partial shade. Trap Creek flows nearby. The campground sits at an elevation of 6,670 feet, and temperatures are cool, with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
Recreation
Trap Creek is situated in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. A myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities are available, with an estimated 750 miles of trails crisscrossing the valley and surrounding mountains, including the Idaho Centennial Trail, which passes through the site. Expansive and scenic Elk Meadow is near the campground, providing a great location for bird and wildlife watching.
Guidebooks for Idaho
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Trap Creek Campground?
Sites at Trap Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made by clicking on the following link www.recreation.gov/camping/trap-creek-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70348 or by calling (877)444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Trap Creek Campground?
Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and Information
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Trap Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Trap Creek Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Trap Creek Campground have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Trap Creek Campground?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Can I have a campfire at Trap Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Please keep pets on a leash.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Trap Creek Campground?
Trap Creek is situated in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Trap Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sheep Trail Campground (1.8 mi), Elk Creek Campground (3.4 mi), and Thatcher Campground (4.6 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby