Sunny Gulch Campground
Sunny Gulch Campground sits along the shores of Salmon River in the forests of central Idaho.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · pets allowed in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 45 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 35 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
46 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Paved | Partial | 1 / – | Yes | |||
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 16 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | 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 | 35 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 003, 004, 005 and 41 more are listed accessible |
Sunny Gulch offers several campsites, a handful of which are close to a large picnic shelter. These sites and the shelter are perfect for a family reunion, wedding or other special event. The shelter contains a grill, utility tables, a dutch oven cooking surface and eight picnic tables. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Roads and parking spurs 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 | This campground has a combination first-come, first-serve campsites and campsites that accept reservations. |
| 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. You must occupy the campsite the first night and campsites cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Stanley, Idaho, take Highway 75 south approximately 3 miles. Campground is on the north side of the road, between the highway and the Salmon River.
| Nearest town | Stanley, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.1761° N, 114.9092° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
28 mi from the campground
- PrescribedParadise Rx
32 mi from the campground
- PrescribedBartlett Creek Rx
40 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 Sunny Gulch Campground Idaho
Worth a stop
The Alpine Way Trail begins less than a mile from the campground, and the Idaho Centennial Trail passes nearby. Redfish and Stanley Lakes are nearby with great boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Numerous additional sparkling lakes and streams dot the area. Popular area events include an Arts and Crafts Fair in July, and Wagon Days, Salmon Festival, Quilt Fair and Fireman's Ball in September.
- 0.7 miAlpine Way Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 0.7 miAlpine Way Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 2.7 miSandy Beach Boat Ramp - Day Use Location ↗Boat launch
- 2.7 miOrval Hansen Point Beach ↗Swimming
- 13.6 miPettit Lake Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miSunny Gulch ↗10.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.7 miAlpine Way ↗17.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile and 1 more
- 0.7 miRock Shelter0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miRedfish Lake Cutoff0.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.8 miRedfish - Stanley ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miStanley to Redfish2.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.7 miAlpine Way Trailhead ↗Sawtooth National Forest
- 2 miRedfish 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.
- inSawtooth National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,190,139 acres
- 2 miBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
- 3.8 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
- Niece Brothers' StoreBuilding · Stanley · 3.1 mi
- Stanley Ranger StationBuilding · Stanley · 3.6 mi
- Ivan W. Day HouseBuilding · Stanley · 6.7 mi
Natural features
The campground offers spectacular views of the Sawtooth Mountains. Summer wildflowers are plentiful and lodgepole pines provide partial shade. Temperatures are cool with an average summer high of 78 degrees and a low of 40 degrees.
Recreation
Excellent fishing is right out your back door on the Salmon River, with rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout and occasional hybrid cutbows and bull trout available. Sunny Gulch lies in the heart of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. A myriad of excellent hiking and biking opportunities are available, and an estimated 750 miles of trails crisscross the valley and surrounding mountains.
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 Sunny Gulch Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Sunny Gulch Campground?
Sawtooth NRA Camping Fees and Information
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sunny Gulch Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Sunny Gulch Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Sunny Gulch Campground have?
46 sites, including 45 standard sites without power and 1 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sunny Gulch Campground?
The longest site here provides 35 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 Sunny Gulch Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sunny Gulch Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sunny Gulch 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. Please keep pets on a leash.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Sunny Gulch Campground?
Sites 002, 003, 004, and 005 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 45 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Sunny Gulch Campground?
Excellent fishing is right out your back door on the Salmon River, with rainbow trout, Westslope cutthroat trout and occasional hybrid cutbows and bull trout available. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sunny Gulch Campground?
Stanley, Idaho. The Alpine Way Trail begins less than a mile from the campground, and the Idaho Centennial Trail passes nearby.
Source: Getting there
What if Sunny Gulch Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Chinook Bay Campground (0.9 mi, first-come), Mountain View Campground (1 mi, first-come), and Glacier View Campground (2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby