Stanley Lake Campground
Stanley Lake Campground is located on the shoreline above beautiful Stanley Lake at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · big rigs in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 34 |
| Group sites | 5 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 52 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
39 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Lakeview Loop | Standard | Back-in | Full | Yes | |||
| 002 | Lakeview Loop | Standard | Back-in | Full | Yes | |||
| 003 | Lakeview Loop | Standard | Back-in | Full | Yes | |||
| 004 | Lakeview Loop | Standard | Back-in | Full | Yes | |||
| 005 | Lakeview Loop | Standard | Back-in | Full | Yes | |||
| 006 | Lakeview Loop | Standard | Back-in | Full | Yes | |||
| 007 | Group | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Full | 16 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Group | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 16 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | 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 | 52 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers 17 reservable sites, as well as additional first come, first served sites. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and spurs within the site are gravel. A scenic overlook is located next to sites 3 and 4, with outstanding views of McGowan Peak and Stanley Lake. Painters and photographers frequent the overlook to capture the views.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
Travel 4.5 miles west of Stanley, Idaho on State Highway 21. Turn on paved Stanley Lake Road and drive 3 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 44.2486° N, 115.0525° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
22 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
38 mi from the campground
- PrescribedBartlett Creek Rx
49 mi from the campground · 2,000 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Best Campsites at Stanley Lake Campground Idaho
Worth a stop
Stanley Lake lies within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which offers a myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities. An estimated 750 miles of trails crisscross the valley and surrounding mountains. Numerous sparkling lakes and streams, including the Salmon River, dot the area, making for great rainbow and native Westslope cutthroat trout fishing. Redfish Lake is nearby, offering additional water recreation opportunities. Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.
- 0.6 miStanley Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 1.4 miElk Mountain Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.9 miOrval Hansen Point Beach ↗Swimming
- 10.2 miSandy Beach Boat Ramp - Day Use Location ↗Boat launch
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miStanley Lake Interpretive0.06 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miElk Mountain Lookout3.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.6 miElk Mountain Cutoff ↗5.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.7 miIron Creek - Stanley Lake ↗14.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 0.7 miStanley Lake Inlet Trail0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.8 miStanley Lake3.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miStanley Lake Trailhead ↗Sawtooth National Forest
- 1.4 miElk Mountain Trailhead ↗Sawtooth National Forest
- 2.9 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 Sawtooth National Forest, which overlaps Boise National Forest.
- inSawtooth National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,190,139 acres
- inBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
- 6.6 miSawtooth Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 217,511 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 · 5.1 mi
- Niece Brothers' StoreBuilding · Stanley · 6 mi
- Stanley Ranger StationBuilding · Stanley · 6.3 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated on a hillside above the lake in a thick grove of lodgepole pines, at an elevation of 6,500 feet. Most campsites have partial shade and views of the lake and/or the rugged 9860-foot McGowan Peak. Temperatures are cool, with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
Recreation
Stanley Lake offers excellent boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook and bull trout. A boat ramp is located just outside the campground. The Idaho Centennial Trail passes nearby and can be accessed from the Stanley Lake Trailhead across the lake.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Stanley Lake Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Stanley Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Stanley Lake Campground have?
40 sites, including 34 standard sites without power and 5 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Stanley Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 52 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
Are pets allowed at Stanley Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Stanley Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Stanley Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Stanley Lake Campground?
Stanley Lake offers excellent boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook and bull trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Stanley Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lake View Campground (0.1 mi, first-come), Elk Creek Campground (3 mi), and Sheep Trail Campground (4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby