USDA Forest Service · Idaho
Stanley Lake Campground
USDA Forest Service · Idaho, United States · in Sawtooth National Recreation Area
- Sites
- 40
- Hookups
- 39 no hookups
- Season
- May 22 to September 30
- Max RV length
- 52 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 6,545 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- STANLEY LAKE CG SPUR B (NFSR 70643B) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Sawtooth National Forest
- Address
- SAWTOOTH, ID
- Phone
- 928-537-8888
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
17 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Stanley Lake Campground is located on the shoreline above beautiful Stanley Lake at the foot of the Sawtooth Mountains.
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.
Facilities
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.
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29° | 15° | -3° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 30° | 16° | -11° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 19° | 6° | 53° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 40° | 24° | 8° | 62° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 50° | 30° | 21° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| June | 65° | 40° | 24° | 80° | 6 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 52° | 37° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 51° | 37° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 66° | 42° | 28° | 79° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 51° | 30° | 9° | 68° | 9 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 19° | -14° | 58° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 29° | 12° | -2° | 42° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Lake View Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Elk Creek Campground (Sawtooth NF) · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 1 sites
- Sheep Trail Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 5 sites
- Iron Creek Campground (ID) · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 4 sites
- Trap Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Idaho · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.